This Article  • Full text  • PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on ISI (433)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Related letter  • Related article  • Similar articles in JAMA  Topic Collections  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine  • Drug Therapy  • Adverse Effects  • Alert me on articles by topic  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

The Slone Survey

David W. Kaufman, ScD; Judith P. Kelly, MS; Lynn Rosenberg, ScD; Theresa E. Anderson, RN; Allen A. Mitchell, MD

JAMA. 2002;287:337-344.

Context  Data on the range of prescription and over-the-counter drug use in the United States are not available.

Objective  To provide recent population-based information on use of all medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and minerals, and herbal preparations/natural supplements in the United States.

Design, Setting, and Participants  Ongoing telephone survey of a random sample of the noninstitutionalized US population in the 48 continental states and the District of Columbia; data analyzed here were collected from February 1998 through December 1999.

Main Outcome Measure  Use of medications, by type, during the preceding week, compared by demographic characteristics.

Results  Among 2590 participants aged at least 18 years, 81% used at least 1 medication in the preceding week; 50% took at least 1 prescription drug; and 7% took 5 or more. The highest overall prevalence of medication use was among women aged at least 65 years, of whom 12% took at least 10 medications and 23% took at least 5 prescription drugs. Herbals/supplements were taken by 14% of the population. Among prescription drug users, 16% also took an herbal/supplement; the rate of concurrent use was highest for fluoxetine users, at 22%. Reasons for drug use varied widely, with hypertension and headache mentioned most often (9% for each). Vitamins/minerals were frequently used for nonspecific reasons such as "health" (35%); herbals/supplements were also most commonly used for "health" (16%).

Conclusions  In any given week, most US adults take at least 1 medication, and many take multiple agents. The substantial overlap between use of prescription medications and herbals/supplements raises concern about unintended interactions. Documentation of usage patterns can provide a basis for improving the safety of medication use.

Author Affiliations: Slone Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Mass.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati     What's this?

RELATED LETTER

Trends in Medication Use in the United States
Shakoora Omonuwa, David W. Kaufman, and Allen A. Mitchell
JAMA. 2002;287(14):1804-1805.
EXTRACT | FULL TEXT  

RELATED ARTICLE

January 16, 2002
JAMA. 2002;287(3):387-388.
EXTRACT | FULL TEXT  

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Medication Data Collection and Coding in a Home-Based Survey of Older Adults
Qato et al.
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2009;0:gbp036v1-gbp036.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Associations of Herbal and Specialty Supplements with Lung and Colorectal Cancer Risk in the VITamins And Lifestyle Study
Satia et al.
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 2009;18:1419-1428.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Management of Hyperlipidemia in Older Adults
Alexander et al.
J CARDIOVASC PHARMACOL THER 2009;14:49-58.
ABSTRACT  

Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Ginde et al.
Arch Intern Med 2009;169:384-390.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Assessment of potential drug interactions in patients with epilepsy: Impact of age and sex
Gidal et al.
Neurology 2009;72:419-425.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia: 3. Mild Cognitive Impairment and Cognitive Impairment Without Dementia
Chertkow et al.
Focus 2009;7:64-78.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The 'Natural Health Service': natural does not mean safe
Dunne
Adv. Psychiatr. Treat. 2009;15:49-56.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Use of Prescription and Over-the-counter Medications and Dietary Supplements Among Older Adults in the United States
Qato et al.
JAMA 2008;300:2867-2878.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Pseudoephedrine Use Among US Children, 1999-2006: Results From the Slone Survey
Vernacchio et al.
Pediatrics 2008;122:1299-1304.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Assessing Multiple Medication Use With Probabilities of Benefits and Harms
Murphy et al.
J Aging Health 2008;20:694-709.
ABSTRACT  

Racial Differences in Sleep Medication Use: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project
Allen et al.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2008;42:1239-1246.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Cough and Cold Medication Use by US Children, 1999-2006: Results From the Slone Survey
Vernacchio et al.
Pediatrics 2008;122:e323-e329.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effects of Erdosteine on Acetaminophen-induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats
Kuvandik et al.
Toxicol Pathol 2008;36:714-719.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Identification and Characterization of Potent CYP2B6 Inhibitors in Woohwangcheongsimwon Suspension, an Herbal Preparation Used in the Treatment and Prevention of Apoplexy in Korea and China
Kim et al.
Drug Metab. Dispos. 2008;36:1010-1015.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Diagnosis and treatment of dementia: 3. Mild cognitive impairment and cognitive impairment without dementia
Chertkow et al.
CMAJ 2008;178:1273-1285.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Impact of home warfarin use on treatment patterns and bleeding complications for patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes: observations from the CRUSADE quality improvement initiative
Wang et al.
Eur Heart J 2008;29:1103-1109.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Loop Diuretic Use and Increased Rates of Hip Bone Loss in Older Men: The Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study
Lim et al.
Arch Intern Med 2008;168:735-740.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Predictors of Medication Errors Among Elderly Hospitalized Patients
Picone et al.
American Journal of Medical Quality 2008;23:115-127.
ABSTRACT  

Home Medication Cabinets and Self-Medication: A Source of Potential Health Threats?
De Bolle et al.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2008;42:572-579.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Herb and Supplement Use Among the Retail Population of an Independent, Urban Herb Store
Archer and Boyle
J Holist Nurs 2008;26:27-35.
ABSTRACT  

Management of Excessive Anticoagulant Effect Due to Vitamin K Antagonists
Dentali and Crowther
ASH Education Book 2008;2008:266-270.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Potential Interactions Between Complementary/Alternative Products and Conventional Medicines in a Medicare Population
Elmer et al.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2007;41:1617-1624.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Analysis of pharmacist charges for medication therapy management services in an outpatient setting
Zingone et al.
Am J Health Syst Pharm 2007;64:1827-1831.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Importance and Challenges of Studying Marketed Drugs: What Is a Phase IV Study? Common Clinical Research Designs, Registries, and Self-Reporting Systems
Glasser et al.
J Clin Pharmacol 2007;47:1074-1086.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Analysis of Flavonoid Phytoestrogens in Botanical and Ephedra-Containing Dietary Supplements
Grippo et al.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2007;41:1375-1382.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Potential drug-drug interactions within Veterans Affairs medical centers
Mahmood et al.
Am J Health Syst Pharm 2007;64:1500-1505.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Escitalopram ingestions reported to Texas poison control centers, 2002 2005
Forrester
Hum Exp Toxicol 2007;26:473-482.
ABSTRACT  

Adult lisinopril ingestions reported to Texas poison control centers, 1998 2005
Forrester
Hum Exp Toxicol 2007;26:483-489.
ABSTRACT  

Alcohol and Other Drug Use Among Victims of Motor-Vehicle Crashes--West Virginia, 2004-2005
JAMA 2007;297:1873-1874.
FULL TEXT  

Use of Herbs Among Adults Based on Evidence-Based Indications: Findings From the National Health Interview Survey
Bardia et al.
Mayo Clin Proc. 2007;82:561-566.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Measuring Drug Burden: A Step Forward
Agostini
Arch Intern Med 2007;167:753-754.
FULL TEXT  

Serum lipid profile on admission for ischemic stroke: Failure to meet National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATPIII) guidelines
Smith et al.
Neurology 2007;68:660-665.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Frequency of Analgesic Use and Risk of Hypertension Among Men
Forman et al.
Arch Intern Med 2007;167:394-399.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Pregnane X Receptor Gene-Humanized Mouse: A Model for Investigating Drug-Drug Interactions Mediated by Cytochromes P450 3A
Ma et al.
Drug Metab. Dispos. 2007;35:194-200.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Selegiline Transdermal System: An Examination of the Potential for CYP450-Dependent Pharmacokinetic Interactions With 3 Psychotropic Medications
Azzaro et al.
J Clin Pharmacol 2007;47:146-158.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Potential Interactions Between Pharmaceuticals and Natural Health Products in Canada
Singh and Levine
J Clin Pharmacol 2007;47:249-258.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Herbal Products and Dietary Supplements: A Survey of Use, Attitudes, and Knowledge Among Older Adults
Marinac et al.
JAOA: Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 2007;107:13-23.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Potentially Unintended Discontinuation of Long-term Medication Use After Elective Surgical Procedures
Bell et al.
Arch Intern Med 2006;166:2525-2531.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Did you take your medications?: The dentist's role in helping patients adhere to their drug regimen
Glick
Journal of the American Dental Association 2006;137:1636-1637.
FULL TEXT  

Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibition Attenuates Antibody Responses against Human Papillomavirus-Like Particles
Ryan et al.
J. Immunol. 2006;177:7811-7819.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Escalating polypharmacy
Gorard
QJM 2006;99:797-800.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effects of ginkgo biloba extract on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of tolbutamide and midazolam in healthy volunteers.
Uchida et al.
J Clin Pharmacol 2006;46:1290-1298.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Factors associated with dietary supplement use among prescription medication users.
Gardiner et al.
Arch Intern Med 2006;166:1968-1974.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Medication management assessment for older adults in the community.
Orwig et al.
Gerontologist 2006;46:661-668.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Pharmacogenomics, informatics, and individual drug therapy in psychiatry: past, present and future
Preskorn
J Psychopharmacol 2006;20:85-94.
ABSTRACT  

Reductions in levels of the Alzheimer's amyloid {beta} peptide after oral administration of ginsenosides
Chen et al.
FASEB J. 2006;20:1269-1271.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing for Elderly Patients in 2 Outpatient Settings
Maio et al.
American Journal of Medical Quality 2006;21:162-168.
ABSTRACT  

Effect of Glucosamine on Glucose Control
Stumpf and Lin
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2006;40:694-698.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effect on health outcomes of a community-based medication therapy management program for seniors with limited incomes
Smith et al.
Am J Health Syst Pharm 2006;63:372-379.
FULL TEXT  

Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors and Risk of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn
Chambers et al.
NEJM 2006;354:579-587.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Assessing the Clinical Significance of Botanical Supplementation on Human Cytochrome P450 3A Activity: Comparison of a Milk Thistle and Black Cohosh Product to Rifampin and Clarithromycin
Gurley et al.
J Clin Pharmacol 2006;46:201-213.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Analgesic overuse among adolescents with headache: The Head-HUNT-Youth Study
Dyb et al.
Neurology 2006;66:198-201.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Suitability of written supplemental materials available on the Internet for nonprescription medications
Wallace et al.
Am J Health Syst Pharm 2006;63:71-78.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

EFFECT OF MILK THISTLE (SILYBUM MARIANUM) AND BLACK COHOSH (CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA) SUPPLEMENTATION ON DIGOXIN PHARMACOKINETICS IN HUMANS
Gurley et al.
Drug Metab. Dispos. 2006;34:69-74.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Systematic Review of the Effects of Ginseng on Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Buettner et al.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2006;40:83-95.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Middle-Aged Children of Persons With Alzheimer's Disease: APOE Genotypes and Cognitive Function in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention
Sager et al.
J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2005;18:245-249.
ABSTRACT  

Dairy, Calcium, and Vitamin D Intake and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort
McCullough et al.
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 2005;14:2898-2904.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Complexity and Cost of Drug Regimens of Older Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure in the United States, 1998-2001
Masoudi et al.
Arch Intern Med 2005;165:2069-2076.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Additive-Aggravated Assays: An Authoritative Answer
Kricka and Park
Clin. Chem. 2005;51:1767-1767.
FULL TEXT  

Aging and Clinical Pharmacology: Implications for Antidepressants
Lotrich and Pollock
J Clin Pharmacol 2005;45:1106-1122.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Risk of adverse drug events by patient destination after hospital discharge
Triller et al.
Am J Health Syst Pharm 2005;62:1883-1889.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Use of Natural Medicines in the Danish Population: A National Cross-Sectional Survey
Nielsen et al.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2005;39:1534-1538.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Non-Narcotic Analgesic Dose and Risk of Incident Hypertension in US Women
Forman et al.
Hypertension 2005;46:500-507.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Folic acid calls to poison centers in Texas, 1998-2003
Forrester
Hum Exp Toxicol 2005;24:423-427.
ABSTRACT  

A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Platelet and Global Hemostatic Effects of Ganoderma Lucidum (Ling-Zhi) in Healthy Volunteers
Kwok et al.
Anesth. Analg. 2005;101:423-426.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Integrating Complementary Medicine Into Cardiovascular Medicine: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Task Force on Clinical Expert Consensus Documents (Writing Committee to Develop an Expert Consensus Document on Complementary and Integrative Medicine)
Vogel et al.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;46:184-221.
FULL TEXT  

Impact of Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs on the Cardioprotective Effects of Aspirin
Corman et al.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2005;39:1073-1079.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Are Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors Being Taken Only by Those Who Need Them?
Kaufman et al.
Arch Intern Med 2005;165:1066-1067.
FULL TEXT  

Disclosure of Natural Product Use to Primary Care Physicians: A Cross-sectional Survey of Naturopathic Clinic Attendees
Busse et al.
Mayo Clin Proc. 2005;80:616-623.
ABSTRACT  

Use of Herbal Medicine in Primary Care Patients With Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Roy-Byrne et al.
Psychosomatics 2005;46:117-122.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Societal perspectives on over-the-counter (OTC) medicines
Wazaify et al.
Fam Pract 2005;22:170-176.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Herbal Use Among US Elderly: 2002 National Health Interview Survey
Bruno and Ellis
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2005;39:643-648.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Recent Trends in Use of Herbal and Other Natural Products
Kelly et al.
Arch Intern Med 2005;165:281-286.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Natural Health Product Interactions with Medication
Boullata
Nutr Clin Pract 2005;20:33-51.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Validation of the Hopkins Medication Schedule To Identify Difficulties in Taking Medications
Carlson et al.
Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 2005;60:217-223.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Diagnosis, Symptoms, and Calcium Intakes of Individuals with Self-Reported Lactose Intolerance
Lovelace and Barr
J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 2005;24:51-57.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Safety Issues in the Interaction of Conventional, Complementary, and Alternative Health Care
Curtis and Gaylord
Complementary Health Practice Review 2005;10:3-31.
ABSTRACT  

Potential Pitfalls of Disease-Specific Guidelines for Patients with Multiple Conditions
Tinetti et al.
NEJM 2004;351:2870-2874.
FULL TEXT  

Advances in H1-Antihistamines
Simons
NEJM 2004;351:2203-2217.
FULL TEXT  

Managing comorbidities in patients at the end of life
Stevenson et al.
BMJ 2004;329:909-912.
FULL TEXT  

Polypharmacy: A New Paradigm for Quality Drug Therapy in the Elderly?
Gurwitz
Arch Intern Med 2004;164:1957-1959.
FULL TEXT  

Research on Complementary Therapies in Home Care
DePalma
Home Health Care Management Practice 2004;16:521-523.
 

Medications' impact on oral health
CIANCIO
Journal of the American Dental Association 2004;135:1440-1448.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Complementary and Alternative Health Care and the Home Care Population
Cushman and Hoffman
Home Health Care Management Practice 2004;16:360-373.
ABSTRACT  

Lifetime Nonnarcotic Analgesic Use and Decline in Renal Function in Women
Curhan et al.
Arch Intern Med 2004;164:1519-1524.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Brief Communication: American Ginseng Reduces Warfarin's Effect in Healthy Patients: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
Yuan et al.
ANN INTERN MED 2004;141:23-27.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Evaluation of an Association Between Loratadine and Hypospadias--United States, 1997-2001
Arch Dermatol 2004;140:893-894.
FULL TEXT  

Treatment of Depression in Cancer
Fisch
J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2004;2004:105-111.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Economic Consequences of Unused Medications in Houston, Texas
Garey et al.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2004;38:1165-1168.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drug Use Among Patients with GI Bleeding
Dominick et al.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2004;38:1159-1164.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Herbal Remedies in the United States: Potential Adverse Interactions With Anticancer Agents
Sparreboom et al.
JCO 2004;22:2489-2503.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Over-the-Counter Pain Reliever and Aspirin Use Within a Sample of Long-term Cyclooxygenase 2 Users
Cox et al.
Arch Intern Med 2004;164:1243-1246.
FULL TEXT  

Drug-Drug, Drug-Dietary Supplement, and Drug-Citrus Fruit and Other Food Interactions: What Have We Learned?
Huang and Lesko
J Clin Pharmacol 2004;44:559-569.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Use of complementary medicines for osteoarthritis--a prospective study
Zochling et al.
Ann Rheum Dis 2004;63:549-554.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Evaluation of an Association Between Loratadine and Hypospadias--United States, 1997-2001
JAMA 2004;291:1828-1830.
FULL TEXT  

A Profile of Calls to a Poison Information Center Regarding Older Adults
Skarupski et al.
J Aging Health 2004;16:228-247.
ABSTRACT  

Incidence and Severity of Potential Drug-Dietary Supplement Interactions in Primary Care Patients: An Exploratory Study of 2 Outpatient Practices
Peng et al.
Arch Intern Med 2004;164:630-636.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The effects of nonselective non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications on the risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction and their interaction with aspirin
Kimmel et al.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2004;43:985-990.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Herbal Products and Other Supplements: Use by Elderly Veterans with Depression and Dementia and Their Caregivers
Kales et al.
J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2004;17:25-31.
ABSTRACT