Concurrent Utilization of Prescription Opioids and Non-opioid Controlled Substances: Rhode Island Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, 2018.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of concurrent prescription opioid and non-opioid controlled substance use in Rhode Island (RI).

METHODS

We conducted a cross sectional observational study using data from the RI Prescription Drug Monitoring Program on controlled substance prescriptions dispensed in 2018. We estimated the prevalence of concurrent use of other prescribed controlled substances among adults who received at least one opioid prescription.

RESULTS

In 2018, 142,692 RI adult residents received at least one opioid prescription, of whom 25.1% (99% confidence interval [CI]: 24.8-25.4) were concurrently prescribed at least one other controlled substance, including benzodiazepines (17.0%, 99% CI: 16.8-17.3), medications for insomnia (4.0%, 99% CI: 3.9-4.2), and stimulants (3.8%, 99% CI: 3.6-3.9).

CONCLUSION

The concurrent use of prescription opioids and other prescribed controlled substances is common. Our findings suggest an urgent need to implement focused initiatives to address controlled substance polypharmacy to reduce the risk of overdose.