The Medical journal of Australia
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To compare changes in pregabalin prescribing and misuse-related ambulance attendances; to characterise the patients attended by paramedics for pregabalin misuse-related harms; to assess the association of pregabalin misuse with use of other sedatives and with suicidal ideation and self-harm; to compare the characteristics of pregabalin misuse-related harms in people who misuse pregabalin according to whether or not they also used other sedatives. ⋯ Rates of pregabalin misuse-related ambulance attendances in Victoria have increased markedly over the past 6 years. Caution is required when prescribing pregabalin for people taking other sedatives. Limiting the dispensing of this drug may reduce the risks associated with its misuse.
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To determine the prevalence and identify predictors of people hospitalised with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) receiving intensive lipid-lowering therapy during the 12 months after their discharge from hospital. ⋯ 45% of patients in Australia are not receiving intensive lipid-lowering therapy in the 12 months after their ACS. Optimising oral lipid-lowering therapy would reduce the recurrence of coronary events in this high risk group.