Table 2.

Change in the most commonly used prescription drugs in the last year before death (N = 1603)

	Percentage of patients receiving drug
	12th month	6th month	Final month
Psycholeptics	32.8	39.2	57.4
Antipsychotics	2.7	3.4	4.9
Anxiolytics	15.7	20.7	38.2
Hypnotics and sedatives	23.8	27.9	39.2
Analgesics	26.0	32.9	47.2
Opioids	11.6	15.9	31.1
Other analgesics and antipyretics	21.0	25.9	33.9
Drugs for constipation	21.3	32.3	46.5
Other nervous system drugs	26.9	38.3	45.2
Riluzole	26.7	37.9	45.0
Psychoanaleptics	28.4	37.0	44.1
Antidepressants	26.4	34.3	42.4
Anti-dementia drugs	3.2	3.9	3.4
Antithrombotic agents	37.1	38.2	36.9
Vitamin K antagonists	4.9	5.0	4.6
Heparin group	1.2	1.2	2.9
Aspirin	30.6	31.0	29.4
Cough and cold preparations	17.3	24.3	31.9
Beta-blocking agents	26.5	27.3	27.3
Diuretics	24.0	24.7	25.2
High-ceiling diuretics	13.1	15.0	17.8
Drugs for acid-related disorders	16.8	18.6	24.5
Agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system	25.2	23.8	22.1
Antianemic preparations	17.5	19.3	20.0
Emollients and protectives	12.7	15.1	17.7
Ophthalmologicals	12.6	13.8	15.6
Drugs for obstructive airway diseases	10.7	12.1	15.3
Drugs for functional gastrointestinal disorders	4.4	6.7	14.9
Antibacterials for systemic use	9.5	9.5	14.2
Calcium channel blockers	16.1	14.6	12.7
Mineral supplements	11.7	12.1	11.3
Calcium	9.1	9.1	7.5
Potassium	2.9	3.3	3.8
Antiemetics and antinauseants	3.5	5.7	10.9
Lipid-modifying agents (including statins)	18.2	15.1	10.8