Analgesic use among the Brazilian population: Results from the National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines (PNAUM)

Abstract

PurposeTo estimate the prevalence of use of analgesics in Brazil; and to characterize this use, according to sociodemographic and health-related characteristics.MethodsA cross-sectional population-based study (National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines, PNAUM) was conducted between September 2013 and February 2014. A total of 41,433 people of all ages in Brazilian urban households were interviewed. Occasional use (within the last 15 days) and continuous use of non-opioid analgesics, opioid analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were investigated, regardless of whether this use occurred through prescription or self-medication. The main outcome was the use of at least one analgesic.ResultsThe majority of the individuals were female (52.8%), aged between 20 and 59 years (57.2%), with 1 to 8 years of schooling (45.6%). The overall prevalence of analgesic use was 22.8% [95% CI: 21.4–24.2]. The use of analgesics was significantly higher among women, adults and elderly (20 years or more), highly educated individuals and respondents who referred: diagnosis of one or more chronic diseases, using three or more medications, possession of health insurance and with one or more emergency care admittances or hospitalizations within the last year. Non-opioid analgesics were the agents most used (18.5% of the sample), followed by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (6.9%) and opioid analgesics (0.5%). The most commonly used drugs were metamizole (37.8% of all analgesics), paracetamol (25.3%) and diclofenac (10.7%). These drugs were used mainly to manage occasional health conditions, particularly pain.ConclusionOne in five Brazilians used some analgesic, especially non-opioid analgesics, to manage acute health problems such as painful conditions.

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“…In countries where metamizole is sold over the counter, the drug is used as a common self‐medication and is the most taken analgesic agent in patients with chronic pain . A cross‐sectional population‐based study performed in Brazil, where metamizole is sold over the counter, analyzed 41 433 individuals and revealed that metamizole is the most used self‐medication . Figure gives an overview of the legal status of metamizole worldwide according to the literature …”