Objective: To investigate possible trends and risk factors for overlapping stimulant and opioid prescriptions in Rhode Island (RI).
Methods: All RI residents with a stimulant prescription dispensed between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2020 were obtained from the RI Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). Individuals were stratified by overlapping stimulant/opioid exposure and compared by demographic and prescription characteristics.
Results: While stimulant prescribing remained relatively constant, the percent of individuals with an overlapping opioid prescription declined. Individuals prescribed overlapping stimulant/opioid prescriptions differed significantly as a function of age, sex, payment method, type of stimulant prescribed, and prescriber type.
Conclusions: Among residents who were dispensed at least one stimulant prescription, individuals who were older, female, and on Medicare insurance were more likely to have an overlapping stimulant/opioid prescription. The RI PDMP can be used to identify trends and risk factors regarding prescribing patterns, which can inform future health policy and practice.
Keywords: Rhode Island; opioid; prescription drugs; stimulant.