Changes in anticonvulsant prescribing for Australian children: Implications for Quality Use of Medicines
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Linda V Graudins; Sallie-A Pearson; Madlen Gazarian; John A. Lawson; Simon A Cohen
- Source
- Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 48:490-495
- Subject
- Topiramate
medicine.medical_specialty
business.industry
medicine.medical_treatment
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Evidence-based medicine
Lamotrigine
Anticonvulsant
Family medicine
Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
medicine
Levetiracetam
Medical prescription
Psychiatry
Quality use of medicines
business
medicine.drug
- Language
- ISSN
- 1034-4810
Aims: The evidence-base guiding choices between newer versus established anticonvulsants in children is limited. Inappropriate use exposes children to potentially ineffective and/or harmful medicines. Our objective is to describe recent anticonvulsant prescribing patterns in the Australian paediatric population, evaluating overall trends and extent of off-label prescribing of newer agents. Methods: Aggregated national data on 15 anticonvulsants with Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidy dispensed by community pharmacies for children aged