Perfil do consumo dos benzodiazepínicos nos anos de 2019 e 2020 no Brasil e regiões

Abstract

Introduction: Benzodiazepines are among the most prescribed drugs, especially in Western countries where estimates show an annual consumption of 1% to 3% of the population. Objective: To study the profile of benzodiazepines consumption in the years 2019 and 2020. Methodology: The unemployment rate (IBGE), benzodiazepines consumption (SNGPC/ANVISA/Brazil), and the number of hospitalizations due to poisoning with exposure (accidental or intentional), self-intoxication, and adverse effects to anticonvulsants, sedatives, hypnotics, antiparkinsonian drugs and psychotropic drugs (DATASUS) were studied. Results: The North and Northeast regions showed an increase in the unemployment rate. The nominal monthly household income per capita of the population residing in the North and Northeast regions remained below 01 minimum wage in the years 2019 and 2020. From 2019 to 2020, the most used active substance of industrialized benzodiazepines was Clonazepam with an increase of 9.81% in Brazil and 22.52% in the Northeast region. All compounded pharmaceutical forms showed a reduction in consumption from 2019 to 2020, with the exception of the form in milliliters which showed an increase for bromazepam (42.1%), clonazepam (8.76%) and diazepam (5.27%). In 2020 compared to 2019, there was an increase of 119.05% and 25% in the Northeast and Midwest regions, respectively, in hospitalizations for poisoning [intoxication] due to exposure to anticonvulsants (antiepileptics), sedatives, hypnotics, antiparkinsonian drugs, and psychotropic drugs not elsewhere classified with intent undetermined. Conclusions: There was an increase in the consumption of industrial benzodiazepines in 2020, with poisoning [intoxication] being one of the main causes of hospitalization. There is a need to control the consumption and increase the surveillance of psychotropic drugs because these drugs are among those that involve risk of hospitalization due to accidental or non-accidental exposure, self-intoxication or adverse effects.