Characterisation of concurrent use of prescription opioids and benzodiazepine/Z-drugs in Alberta, Canada: a population-based study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The objective of this study is to characterise concurrent use of benzodiazepine receptor modulators and opioids among prescription opioid users in Alberta in 2017.

Design

A population based retrospective study.

Setting

Alberta, Canada, in the year 2017.

Participants

All individuals in Alberta, Canada, with at least one dispensation record from a community pharmacy for an opioid in the year 2017.

Exposure

Concurrent use of a benzodiazepine receptor modulator and opioid, defined as overlap of supply for both drugs for at least 1 day.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of concurrency was estimated among subgroups of patient characteristics that were considered clinically relevant or associated with inappropriate medication use.

Results

SUBMITTER: Sharma V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6731882 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature