Title | Prevalence of prescribing in pregnancy using the Irish primary care research network: a pilot study |
Publication Type | Published Journal Article |
2015 | |
Authors | Dillon P, O'Brien K, McDonnell R, Donnelly-Swift E, Galvin R, Roche A, Cronin K, Walsh DR, Schelten R, Smith SM, Fahey T |
Journal | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
Volume | 15 |
Issue | 67 |
Date Published | 03/15 |
Type of Article | Published Journal Article |
Keywords | FDA pregnancy-risk categories, Medication use, Pregnancy, Prescribing |
Abstract | Abstract Methods: We reviewed electronic healthcare records routinely collected in primary care, of pregnant women attending nine Dublin-based General Practices affiliated to the Irish Primary Care Research Network (IPCRN) for antenatal care between January 2007 and October 2013 (n = 2,361 pregnancies). Results: Excluding folic acid, 46.8% (n = 1,104) of pregnant women were prescribed at least one medication. Amoxicillin (11.1%, n = 263) and co-amoxiclav (8.0%, n = 190) were the most commonly prescribed medication followed by topical clotrimazole (4.9%, n = 117), salbutamol inhalers (4.1%, n = 96) and paracetamol (4.0%, n = 95). General Medical Services (GMS) patients were more likely to receive a prescription than private patients (OR 2.81; 95%CI (2.28, 3.47)). We applied the US FDA pregnancy-risk categories as a proxy measure of prescribing appropriateness, with FDA Category D and X medications considered inappropriate. FDA Category D drugs were prescribed in 5.9% (n = 140) of pregnancies. FDA Category X drugs were prescribed in 4.9% (n = 116) of pregnancies but after exclusion of oral contraceptives, progestogens, infertility treatments Category X medications were prescribed in 0.6% (n = 13) of pregnancies. After the initial antenatal consultation the prescribing prevalence of FDA Category D medications reduced to 4.7% (n = 110) and Category X to 3.1% (n = 72). |
URL | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2393/15/67/abstract |
DOI | 10.1186/s12884-015-0489-0 |