Effect of regulatory warnings on antipsychotic prescription rates among elderly patients with dementia: a population-based time-series analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Three warnings of serious adverse events associated with the use of atypical antipsychotic drugs among elderly patients with dementia were sent to health care professionals in Canada. We assessed the impact of these warnings on prescription rates of antipsychotic drugs in this patient population.

Methods

We used prescription drug claims data from Ontario to calculate prescription rates of atypical and conventional antipsychotic drugs among elderly patients with dementia from May 1, 2000, to Feb. 28, 2007. We performed a time-series analysis to estimate the effect of each warning on rates of antipsychotic drug use.

Results

Before the first warning, growth in the use of atypical antipsychotics was responsible for an increasing rate of overall antipsychotic us

SUBMITTER: Valiyeva E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2518182 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature