Proportions of drug users in the therapeutic classes reported by >5% of the sample (n=736)
| ATC code | Total population 736 n (%) | No polypharmacy (0–4 drugs) 341 n (%) | Polypharmacy (5–9 drugs) 237 n (%) | Excessive polypharmacy (≥10 drugs) 158 n (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antipsychotics | N05A | 319 (43.2) | 89 (26.1) | 128 (54.0) | 102 (64.6) |
| Antiepileptics† | N03A | 287 (39.0) | 60 (17.6) | 128 (54.1) | 99 (63.1) |
| Laxatives | A06A | 278 (37.8) | 42 (12.3) | 117 (49.4) | 119 (75.3) |
| Analgesics | N02B | 277 (37.6) | 52 (15.2) | 107 (45.1) | 118 (75.1) |
| Antidepressants† | N06C | 193 (26.2) | 51 (15.0) | 83 (35.0) | 69 (43.7) |
| Anxiolytics† | N05B | 173 (23.5) | 24 (7.0) | 70 (29.5) | 79 (50.0) |
| Lipid modifying agents | C10A | 187 (25.4) | 69 (20.2) | 62 (26.2) | 56 (35.7) |
| Drugs for PUD/GORD | A02B | 177 (24.0) | 30 (8.8) | 70 (29.5) | 77 (49.0) |
| Drugs for thyroid conditions | H03A | 132 (17.9) | 49 (14.4) | 48 (20.3) | 35 (22.3) |
| Anticholinergic agents Preparations | N04A | 120 (16.3) | 14 (4.1) | 53 (22.3) | 53 (33.8) |
| Hynotics and sedatives† | N05C | 100 (13.6) | 6 (2.1) | 40 (16.9) | 54 (34.2) |
| Antithrombotics | B01A | 78 (10.6) | 11 (3.2) | 37 (15.6) | 30 (19.1) |
| NSAID drugs | M01A | 73 (9.9) | 12 (3.5) | 25 (10.5) | 36 (22.9) |
| Antipropulsives | A07D | 68 (9.2) | 5 (1.4) | 20 (8.4) | 43 (27.3) |
| Antihistamines | R06A | 65 (8.8) | 10 (2.9) | 25 (10.5) | 30 (19.1) |
| Drugs affecting bone | M05B | 59 (8.0) | 11 (3.2) | 22 (8.4) | 26 (16.6) |
| Propulsives | A03F | 56 (7.6) | 1 (0.3) | 20 (8.4) | 35 (22.3) |
| Inhaled adrenergics | R03A | 53 (7.0) | 5 (1.5) | 17 (7.2) | 31 (19.7) |
| Expectorants | R05C | 51 (6.9) | 4 (1.2) | 16 (6.8) | 31 (19.7) |
| Agents acting on the renin–angiotensin system | C09A | 48 (6.5) | 9 (2.6) | 18 (7.6) | 21 (13.4) |
| Oral antidiabetics | A10B | 41 (5.6) | 6 (1.8) | 18 (7.6) | 17 (10.8) |
Other therapeutic classes reported by <5% in decreasing prevalence; selective calcium-channel blockers (C08C), β-blocking agents (C07A), Antifungals for topical use (D01A), other drugs for obstructive airway disease, inhalants (R03B), antiemetics and antinauseants (A04A), other ophthalmologicals (S01X), other systemic drugs for obstructive airways (R03D).
†Modifications described in methods.
GORD, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; PUD, peptic ulcer disease.