Recent Patterns of Medication Use in the Ambulatory Adult Population of the United States: The Slone Survey.
Kaufman, David W. ScD; Kelly, Judith P. MS; Rosenberg, Lynn ScD; Anderson, Theresa E. RN; Mitchell, Allen A. MD
[Article]
JAMA.
INDEX ISSUE http://www.jama.com. 287(3):337-344, January 16, 2002.
(Format: HTML, PDF)
Context: Data on the range of prescription and over-the-counter drug use in the United States are not available.
Objective: To provide recent population-based information on use of all medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and minerals, and herbal preparations/natural supplements in the United States.
Design, Setting, and Participants: Ongoing telephone survey of a random sample of the noninstitutionalized US population in the 48 continental states and the District of Columbia; data analyzed here were collected from February 1998 through December 1999.
Main Outcome Measure: Use of medications, by type, during the preceding week, compared by demographic characteristics.
Results: Among 2590 participants aged at least 18 years, 81% used at least 1 medication in the preceding week; 50% took at least 1 prescription drug; and 7% took 5 or more. The highest overall prevalence of medication use was among women aged at least 65 years, of whom 12% took at least 10 medications and 23% took at least 5 prescription drugs. Herbals/supplements were taken by 14% of the population. Among prescription drug users, 16% also took an herbal/supplement; the rate of concurrent use was highest for fluoxetine users, at 22%. Reasons for drug use varied widely, with hypertension and headache mentioned most often (9% for each). Vitamins/minerals were frequently used for nonspecific reasons such as "health" (35%); herbals/supplements were also most commonly used for "health" (16%).
Conclusions: In any given week, most US adults take at least 1 medication, and many take multiple agents. The substantial overlap between use of prescription medications and herbals/supplements raises concern about unintended interactions. Documentation of usage patterns can provide a basis for improving the safety of medication use.
JAMA.2002;287:337-344
Copyright 2002 by the American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government Use. American Medical Association, 515 N. State St, Chicago, IL 60610.
