Table 2.
The risk of adverse drug events with 95% confidence intervals (CI) within 30 days after filling a prescription for potentially inappropriate medication (described by ATC code and name of the substance) listed in the EU(7)-PIM list or in the AT-PIM list along with observed frequencies of prescriptions and adverse drug events during the study period
| ATC code | Substance | ADE, increased risk of | PIM list | Prescriptions, n | ADE, n | Risk of ADE % (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A02BC02 | Pantoprazole |
- C. difficile infection - hip fracture |
EU(7) | 2162 | 4 | 0.19 (0.05, 0.47) |
| M01AB05 | Diclofenac | - GI bleeding, ulceration, or perforation | EU(7), AT | 1908 | 3 | 0.16 (0.03, 0.46) |
| N02AX02 | Tramadol | - CNS side effects | EU(7), AT | 1300 | 3 | 0.23 (0.05, 0.67) |
| C03DA01 | Spironolactone |
- hyperkalaemia - hyponatremia |
EU(7) | 871 | 2 | 0.23 (0.03, 0.83) |
| M01AG01 | Mefenamic acid | - GI bleeding, ulceration, or perforation | EU(7) | 757 | 4 | 0.53 (0.14, 1.35) |
| N06DX02 | Ginkgo biloba | - orthostatic hypotension and fall | EU(7), AT | 721 | 1 | 0.14 (0.00, 0.77) |
| A03FA01 | Metoclopramid | - may worsen peripheral arterial blood flow and precipitate intermittent claudication | EU(7) | 634 | 1 | 0.16 (0.00, 0.88) |
| A02BC03 | Lansoprazole |
- C. difficile infection - hip fracture |
EU(7) | 570 | 3 | 0.53 (0.11, 1.53) |
| C01AA04 | Digitoxin |
- elevated glycoside sensitivity - intoxication |
EU(7) | 512 | 3 | 0.57 (0.12, 1.70) |
| B01AA07 | Acenocoumarol | - bleeding | EU(7) | 480 | 1 | 0.21 (0.01, 1.16) |
| C01BD01 | Amiodarone |
- QT interval problems - torsades de pointes |
EU(7) | 438 | 0 | 0.00 (0.00, –0.84) |
| C01AA08 | Metildigitoxin |
- elevated glycoside sensitivity - intoxication |
EU(7) | 382 | 1 | 0.26 (0.01, 1.45) |
| G04BD09 | Trospium | - anticholinergic side effects | EU(7) | 366 | 0 | 0.00 (0.00, 1.00) |
| N05CD05 | Triazolam |
- falls and hip fracture - prolonged reaction time - psychiatric reactions |
EU(7), AT | 329 | 1 | 0.30 (0.01, 1.68) |
| N05BA12 | Alprazolam |
- falls and hip fracture - prolonged reaction time - psychiatric reactions |
EU(7) | 289 | 0 | 0.00 (0.00, 1.27) |
| N06AA09 | Amitriptyline |
- peripheral anticholinergic side effects - central anticholinergic side effects - cognitive deficit |
EU(7), AT | 280 | 0 | 0.00 (0.00, 1.31) |
| R03DA04 | Theophylline | - CNS stimulant effects | EU(7), AT | 275 | 0 | 0.00 (0.00, 1.33) |
| A02BC05 | Esomeprazol |
- C. difficile infection - hip fracture |
EU(7) | 271 | 0 | 0.00 (0.00, 1.35) |
| N05BA08 | Bromazepam |
- falls and hip fracture - prolonged reaction time - psychiatric reactions - cognitive impairment - depression |
EU(7), AT | 271 | 0 | 0.00 (0.00, 1.35) |
| N05AX08 | Risperidone |
- behavioural symptoms of dementia -increased mortality |
AT | 252 | 0 | 0.00 (0.00, 1.45) |
| C02CA04 | Doxazosin |
- orthostatic hypotension - dry mouth - urinary incontinence/ impaired micturition |
EU(7) | 242 | 0 | 0.00 (0.00, 1.51) |
| G03CA04 | Estriol | - carcinogenic potential | EU(7) | 232 | 1 | 0.43 (0.01, 2.38) |
| A02BC01 | Omeprazole |
- C. difficile infection - hip fracture |
EU(7) | 229 | 0 | 0.00 (0.00, 1.60) |
| C04AD03 | Pentoxyfylline | - orthostatic hypotension and fall | EU(7), AT | 208 | 0 | 0.00 (0.00, 1.76) |
ATC code Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System, ADE Adverse drug event, CI Confidence interval