Trends in on-label and off-label modafinil use in USA

Source: JAMA Area: News JAMA Internal Medicine has featured a research letter describing the "off-label" use of modafinil in the US. Using the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a nationally representative sample of ambulatory visits were evaluated ( January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2009) to determine the extent of modafinil use, and to categorise patients by whether or not they had an on-label indication for modafinil, defining off-label use as the absence of an on-label diagnosis. Additionally, the association between modafinil use and other centrally acting medications that might interact with modafinil such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and amphetamines were examined.   The analysis showed the rapid increase in modafinil use, and suggested that most prescriptions are for off-label indications. Additionally, the authors state that modafinil appears to be strongly associated with depression and multiple sclerosis, and that this should be especially noted considering the trials that ...
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news