Ten-Year Trends in Lithium Prescribing in Alberta, Canada.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Despite lithium's clinical efficacy, it is commonly thought that its use is declining. The objective of this study is to describe the new and prevalent lithium users as well as rates of discontinuation of lithium use over a 10-year period.

Methods

This study used provincial administrative health data from Alberta, Canada between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018. Lithium prescriptions were identified within the Pharmaceutical Information Network database. Total and subgroup specific frequencies of new and prevalent lithium use were determined over the 10-year study period. Lithium discontinuation was also estimated through survival analysis.

Results

Between the calendar years of 2009 and 2018, 580,873 lithium prescriptions were dispensed in Alberta to 14,008

SUBMITTER: Shafiq S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10867410 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature