Table 1.
Most frequently prescribed potentially inappropriate medication from the EU(7)-PIM and AT-PIM list (described by ATC code and name of the substance) together with the number of filled prescriptions between 2008 and 2011, patients’ median (IQR) age at the time of filling the prescription and number (%) of different patients filling the prescription
| ATC code | Substance | PIM list | ADE, increased risk of | Prescriptions, n | Patients’ age (years), median (IQR) | Patients, n (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A02BC02 | Pantoprazole | EU(7) |
- C. difficile infection - hip fracture |
107,233 | 79 (74–84) | 6.947 (60.2) |
| A02BC03 | Lansoprazole | EU(7) |
- C. difficile infection - hip fracture |
47,291 | 80 (75–85) | 3.238 (28.0) |
| N06DX02 | Ginkgo biloba | EU(7), AT | - orthostatic hypotension and fall | 31,395 | 81 (77–86) | 2.266 (19.6) |
| N02AX02 | Tramadol | EU(7), AT | - CNS side effects | 28,130 | 78 (74–84) | 4.115 (35.6) |
| M01AB05 | Diclofenac | EU(7), AT | - GI bleeding, ulceration, or perforation | 23,001 | 78 (73–83) | 4.399 (38.1) |
| A02BC01 | Omeprazole | EU(7) |
- C. difficile infection - hip fracture |
21,601 | 79 (74–85) | 1.657 (14.3) |
| A02BC05 | Esomeprazole | EU(7) |
- C. difficile infection - hip fracture |
20,821 | 79 (74–84) | 1.682 (14.6) |
| C02CA04 | Doxazosin | EU(7) |
- orthostatic hypotension - dry mouth - urinary incontinence/ impaired micturition - CNS side effects |
18,704 | 77 (73–82) | 1.133 (9.8) |
| C04AD03 | Pentoxifyllin | EU(7), AT | - orthostatic hypotension and fall | 12,658 | 80 (76–85) | 1.065 (9.2) |
| C02AC06 | Rilmenidine | EU(7) |
- orthostatic hypotension - bradycardia - CNS side effects |
12,241 | 78 (73–83) | 919 (8.0) |
ATC code Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System, IQR Interquartile range