Changes in prescribing rates of sodium-containing medications in the UK from 2009 to 2018: a cross-sectional study with interrupted time series analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveEffervescent, soluble, dispersible formulations contain considerable amounts of sodium. In 2013, we previously confirmed the association between sodium-containing medications and cardiovascular risks. This study aimed to determine the changes in the prescribing pattern in clinical practice following this publication.DesignA longitudinal cross-sectional study.SettingPrimary care in the UK from 2009 to 2018.ParticipantsPrescribing information in The Health Improvement Network (THIN) and Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) databases in the UK.Outcome measurementsPrescription rates per 10 000 inhabitants were calculated using the number of prescriptions or the number of drug-using patients over the total number of inhabitants, and the prescription rates were measured at annual intervals. Prescribing trends from 2009 to 2018 were indexed with yearly data from THIN and PCA. Interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) was conducted with monthly data in THIN.ResultsFrom the THIN database, a total of 3 651 419 prescription records from 446 233 patients were included. The prescribing rate of sodium-containing medications changed from 848.3/10 000 inhabitants in 2009 to 571.6/10 000 inhabitants in 2018. The corresponding figures from PCA data were of 631.0/10 000 inhabitants in 2009 and 423.8/10 000 inhabitants in 2018. ITSA showed the prescribing trend reduced significantly during the postpublication period (prescribing rate: slope change=−0.26; 95% CI −0.45 to –0.07; p=0.009; proportion of patients: slope change=−0.22; 95% CI −0.35 to –0.09; p<0.001), but no change in postpublication level from baseline. The prescribing rates for the non-sodium-containing standard formulations were relatively stable over the study period. The reduction in the proportion of patients using sodium-containing medications was only significant in patients over 45 years old.ConclusionsThe prescribing of sodium-containing medications in the UK primary care has declined significantly during the postpublication period. Changes in the prescribing trends for sodium-containing medications varied across regions of the UK and patient age groups.

Sodium-containing acetaminophen and cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with and without hypertension

“… 16 , 17 In 2018, the proportion of sodium-containing medication users was 169.9/10 000 inhabitants in the UK and was even higher among women and increased with age. 18 Acetaminophen, a commonly used pain-relief medication, consists of both sodium-containing (e.g. the effervescent or soluble) and non-sodium-containing formulations.…”