Anticholinergic drug use for overactive bladder in Sweden: a nationwide pharmacoepidemiological study.

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis: Nationwide use and costs of anticholinergic drug for overactive bladder are unknown.

Methods: We performed a nationwide study based on the Swedish Register on Prescribed Pharmaceuticals.

Results: From 2000 to 2007, there was a 68.8% increase in dispensed anticholinergic drugs in a population of 9 million. More than 93 million DDDs (calculated average maintenance dose per day) of anticholinergic drugs were dispensed corresponding to an overall DDD/TID (DDD per 1,000 inhabitants per day) of 3.5 per 1,000 persons per year. Approximately two thirds of anticholinergic drugs were prescribed to women, regardless of drug type. In 2007, the cost for anticholinergic drugs was 22 million of which tolterodine comprised 70.8%. Solifenacin and darifenacin steadily increased their DDD/TIDs after market introduction.

Conclusions: In this nationwide study, there was a 70% increased rate of expedited prescriptions of anticholinergic drugs for the treatment of overactive bladder in a relatively stable population.