Medications taken by 26‐year‐olds

摘要: Background: Most descriptive pharmacoepidemiological reports are from studies of older people, and little is known about medication use by younger adults. Aims: The aim the present study was to examine prevalence usage in previous 2 weeks among young Methods: Detailed information collected on medications taken 26-year-old participants longstanding Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health Development Study. Results: At age 26, 980 (96.2%) surviving cohort participated; data were available for 978 individuals, whom 78.1% had one or more prescribed over-the-counter medications. Medication higher females. most prevalent drug categories analgesics (taken 22.8% sample), hormonal contraceptives (21.9%; 44.7% females), nutrient supplements (17.6%) anti-asthma drugs (11.1%). Conclusions: pattern adults differ those reported groups. Asthma appears be chronic medical condition requiring pharmacological intervention (and which care has been sought) low rates antidepressants anxiolytics suggest that common psychiatric disorders may currently go unrecognized untreated adults, high ‘third generation’ oral contraceptive females particular concern. (Intern Med J 2002; 32: 305‐310)