A database analysis of potentially inappropriate drug use in an elderly medicaid population

Lance T. Piecoro, Steven R. Browning, T. Scott Prince, Thomas T. Ranz, E. Douglas Scutchfield

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

99 Scopus citations

Abstract

We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective review of 1996 Kentucky Medicaid Pharmacy claims data to examine the prevalence of potentially inappropriate drug use in 64,832 Medicaid recipients aged 65 years and older who received a prescription. Twenty-seven percent of patients received at least one potentially inappropriate agent. Prevalence was higher for nursing home residents (33%) than for community dwellers (24%). Amitriptyline (7.6%), propoxyphene (6.5%), doxepin (4.0%), and indomethacin (2.3%) were the most prescribed potentially inappropriate agents. Education programs and interventions aimed at optimizing the prescribing and dispensing of the most appropriate drugs are needed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)221-228
Number of pages8
JournalPharmacotherapy
Volume20
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology (medical)

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