Comedication and Treatment Length in Users of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Reduced clinical effect on cognitive decline in dementia by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) may be due to concurrent use of drugs with anticholinergic properties. The aim was to analyze the incidence of AChEI use and comedication with drugs with anticholinergic properties and other potential unfavorable effects. METHODS: A prospective study applying drug use data from the Norwegian Prescription Database. Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS) scores were used as a measure of overall anticholinergic burden. RESULTS: Patients with high ADS scores were more frequently discontinuing treatment early. Coprescribing of antipsychotics was strongly associated with early discontinuation of AChEI treatment. CONCLUSION: Coprescribing with potentially unfavorable medications was common. A high ADS score was associated with early discontinuation of treatment.