Trends in Opioid and Psychotropic Prescription in Pregnancy in the United States From 2001 to 2015 in a Privately Insured Population : A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Opioid and psychotropic prescriptions are common during pregnancy. Little is known about coprescriptions of both medications in this setting.

Objective: To describe opioid prescription among women who are prescribed psychotropics compared with women who are not.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: U.S. commercial insurance beneficiaries from MarketScan (2001 to 2015).

Participants: Pregnant women at 22 weeks' gestation or greater who were insured continuously for 3 months or more before pregnancy through delivery.

Measurements: Opioid prescription, dosage thresholds (morphine milligram equivalents [MME] of ≥50/day and ≥90/day), number of opioid agents (≥2), and duration (≥30 days) among those with and without prescription of psychotropics, from 2011 to 2015.

Results: Among 958 980 pregnant women, 10% received opioids only, 6% psychotropics only, and 2% opioids with coprescription of psychotropics. Opioid prescription was higher among women prescribed psychotropics versus those who were not (26.5% vs. 10.7%). From 2001 to 2015, psychotropic prescription overall increased from 4.4% to 7.6%, opioid prescription without coprescription of psychotropics decreased from 11.9% to 8.4%, and opioids with coprescription decreased from 28.1% to 22.0%. Morphine milligram equivalents of 50 or greater per day decreased for women with and without coprescription (29.6% to 17.3% and 22.8% to 18.5%, respectively); MME of 90 or greater per day also decreased in both groups (15.0% to 4.7% and 11.5% to 4.2%, respectively). Women prescribed opioids only were more likely to have an antepartum hospitalization compared with those with neither prescription, as were women with coprescription versus those prescribed psychotropics only. Compared with those prescribed opioids only, women with coprescriptions were more likely to exceed MME of 90 or greater per day and to be prescribed 2 or more opioid agents and for 30 days or longer. Number and duration of opioids increased with benzodiazepine and gabapentin coprescription.

Limitation: Inability to determine appropriateness of prescribing or overdose events.

Conclusion: Opioids are frequently coprescribed with psychotropic medication during pregnancy and are associated with antepartum hospitalization. A substantial proportion of pregnant women are prescribed opioids at doses that increase overdose risk and exceed daily recommendations.

Primary funding source: None.