Current medical research and opinion
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To examine opioid prescription claims before and after initiation of pregabalin in patients with a diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). ⋯ A majority of patients with DPN receive an opioid before and/or after their first pregabalin claim. Pregabalin neither interferes with nor replaces opioid use for pain management in patients with DPN. Although nearly 1 in 8 patients received opioids throughout the study period, most claims were for short-acting opioids. The majority of this DPN sample had other pain conditions, including musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain conditions. These results highlight the frequency of opioid use with pregabalin, particularly short-acting opioids.
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Use and treatment modalities for SSRI and SNRI antidepressants in Italy during the period 2003-2009.
This drug utilization study aims to evaluate the incidence and prevalence of prescribed antidepressants (SSRIs or SNRIs) and to describe treatment modalities in Italy during the period 2003-2009. ⋯ SSRIs may be regarded as the elective treatment for depression. Of the SSRIs, escitalopram seems to be associated with the highest number of days of uninterrupted treatment, the lowest proportion of switchers and the highest adherence. This consideration might have practical relevance when comparing escitalopram to other SSRIs and to venlafaxine and duloxetine.