Dataset Information

Preventing the co-prescription of tamoxifen and fluoxetine in General Practice.

ABSTRACT: In 2010 a population-based cohort study showed that there was decreased efficacy of the breast cancer drug tamoxifen when used in combination with fluoxetine, a commonly used SSRI antidepressant. The aim of this project was to identify patients who may be affected by this co-prescription and suggest a change in medication. The project was conducted across two GP practices in Clevedon (The Riverside Practice & The Green Practice), Bristol. The patients were all from the active patients register at each surgery. A search was conducted to find all those on tamoxifen and fluoxetine, using the EMIS computer system. These patients would then be sent a letter to attend clinic. The new data would then be discussed with them before recommending a change of antidepressant (typically to sertraline). Three patients were found to be on both medications. They were all called into clinic and changed from fluoxetine to sertraline. Furthermore a presentation was given to all GPs at the two surgeries alerting them to the new guidelines. A message was also set up to flash on the computer system whenever an attempt was made to co-prescribe the two drugs. All the patients on tamoxifen in these two practices are now receiving the optimum treatment. Furthermore interventions have been put in place to ensure that this remains the case in future. Another data collection should be conducted in one year. This project provides a good example of how this problem could be resolved at other GP surgeries.

SUBMITTER: Stonier T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4652715 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Preventing the co-prescription of tamoxifen and fluoxetine in General Practice.

Stonier Thomas T Harrison Michael M

BMJ quality improvement reports 20130424 1

In 2010 a population-based cohort study showed that there was decreased efficacy of the breast cancer drug tamoxifen when used in combination with fluoxetine, a commonly used SSRI antidepressant. The aim of this project was to identify patients who may be affected by this co-prescription and suggest a change in medication. The project was conducted across two GP practices in Clevedon (The Riverside Practice & The Green Practice), Bristol. The patients were all from the active patients register a ...[more]

PMID: 26732136

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Project description:PurposeCo-prescription of paroxetine/fluoxetine (a strong CYP2D6 inhibitor) in metoprolol (a CYP2D6 substrate) users is common, but data on the clinical consequences of this drug-drug interaction are limited and inconclusive. Therefore, we assessed the effect of paroxetine/fluoxetine initiation on the existing treatment with metoprolol on the discontinuation and dose adjustment of metoprolol among elderly.MethodsWe performed a cohort study using the University of Groningen IADB.nl prescription database (www.IADB.nl). We selected all elderly (≥60 years) who had ever been prescribed metoprolol and had a first co-prescription of paroxetine/fluoxetine, citalopram (weak CYP2D6 inhibitor), or mirtazapine (negative control) from 1994 to 2015. The exposure group was metoprolol and paroxetine/fluoxetine co-prescription, and the other groups acted as controls. The outcomes were early discontinuation and dose adjustment of metoprolol. Logistic regression was applied to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsCombinations of metoprolol-paroxetine/fluoxetine, metoprolol-citalopram, and metoprolol-mirtazapine were started in 528, 673, and 625 patients, respectively. Compared with metoprolol-citalopram, metoprolol-paroxetine/fluoxetine was not significantly associated with the early discontinuation and dose adjustment of metoprolol (OR = 1.07, 95% CI:0.77-1.48; OR = 0.87, 95% CI:0.57-1.33, respectively). In comparison with metoprolol-mirtazapine, metoprolol-paroxetine/fluoxetine was associated with a significant 43% relative increase in early discontinuation of metoprolol (OR = 1.43, 95% CI:1.01-2.02) but no difference in the risk of dose adjustment. Stratified analysis by gender showed that women have a significantly high risk of metoprolol early discontinuation (OR = 1.62, 95% CI:1.03-2.53).ConclusionParoxetine/fluoxetine initiation in metoprolol prescriptions, especially for female older patients, is associated with the risk of early discontinuation of metoprolol.

Project description:BackgroundThe ubiquity of smartphones and health apps make them a potential self-management tool for patients that could be prescribed by medical professionals. However, little is known about how Australian general practitioners and their patients view the possibility of prescribing mobile health (mHealth) apps as a nondrug intervention.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine barriers and facilitators to prescribing mHealth apps in Australian general practice from the perspective of general practitioners and their patients.MethodsWe conducted semistructured interviews in Australian general practice settings with purposively sampled general practitioners and patients. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed by two researchers.ResultsInterview participants included 20 general practitioners and 15 adult patients. General practitioners' perceived barriers to prescribing apps included a generational difference in the digital propensity for providers and patients; lack of knowledge of prescribable apps and trustworthy sources to access them; the time commitment required of providers and patients to learn and use the apps; and concerns about privacy, safety, and trustworthiness of health apps. General practitioners perceived facilitators as trustworthy sources to access prescribable apps and information, and younger generation and widespread smartphone ownership. For patients, the main barriers were older age and usability of mHealth apps. Patients were not concerned about privacy and data safety issues regarding health app use. Facilitators for patients included the ubiquity of smartphones and apps, especially for the younger generation and recommendation of apps by doctors. We identified evidence of effectiveness as an independent theme from both the provider and patient perspectives.ConclusionsmHealth app prescription appears to be feasible in general practice. The barriers and facilitators identified by the providers and patients overlapped, though privacy was of less concern to patients. The involvement of health professionals and patients is vital for the successful integration of effective, evidence-based mHealth apps with clinical practice.

Dataset Information

Preventing the co-prescription of tamoxifen and fluoxetine in General Practice.

Publications

Preventing the co-prescription of tamoxifen and fluoxetine in General Practice.

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