Table 1 Classification of prescription changes
Classification | Definition |
|---|---|
1. Change in dosage | Change in dosage means that, for the same drug, the daily dosage is increased or decreased (e.g., amitriptyline 25 mg changes in amitryptyline 10 mg or vv). |
2a. Product formulation switch | Metoprolol 50 mg plain tablet instead of metoprolol slow release tablet (Selokeen ZOC®). |
2b. Generic brand switch | Change to another product containing the same active substance with the same strength and the same dosage (e.g., atenolol 50 mg tablet (generic product) instead of Tenormin® 50 mg tablet (brand) or Renitec® 10 mg tablet (brand) instead of enalapril 10 mg tablet). |
2c. Therapeutic switch | Change to another active substance within the same therapeutic group; the first four characters of the ATC classification are the same (e.g. amitriptyline (N06AA09) instead of citalopram (N06AB04) or fluoxetine (N06AB03) instead of citalopram (N06AB04)). |
3. Stop | No continuation 90 days after one of the five control time points and no generic-brand substitution (1), product formulation switch (2) ortherapeutic switch (3). |
4. Start | Start of a drug means prescription of a drug which had not been prescribed during the previous six months and which is not a generic brand substitution (1), product formulation switch (2) or therapeutic switch (3). |