This secondary analysis explored the co-prescribing of analgesic and/or adjuvant medications with data from 550 residents in 12 Australian long-term care (LTC) homes and over 2400 residents in 53 Finnish LTC homes. A total of 44% of Australian and 33% of Finnish residents were prescribed two or more analgesics and adjuvants. Acetaminophen was most commonly co-prescibed, but gabapentinoids and opioids were also co-prescribed. The frequency of co-prescribing these medications highlights a need for change in the field, given the risk of negative central nervous system outcomes.
Analgesic and Adjuvant Co-Prescribing in Australian and Finnish Residential Care Homes
This secondary analysis explored the co-prescribing of analgesic and/or adjuvant medications with data from 550 residents in 12 Australian long-term care (LTC) homes and over 2400 residents in 53 Finnish LTC homes. A total of 44% of Australian and 33% of Finnish residents were prescribed two or more analgesics and adjuvants. Acetaminophen was most commonly co-prescibed, but gabapentinoids and opioids were also co-prescribed. The frequency of co-prescribing these medications highlights a need for change in the field, given the risk of negative central nervous system outcomes.
