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This article examines the early adoption of semaglutide, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, in Scandinavia, with a focus on Denmark. The study analyzes nationwide prescription data from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden to compare the use of semaglutide with other glucose-lowering drugs and to compare the characteristics of semaglutide initiators with initiators of other drugs. The findings reveal that semaglutide is widely used in Scandinavia and that the characteristics of semaglutide initiators differ slightly from initiators of other drugs. The study also identifies differences between early and late initiators of semaglutide, suggesting potential off-label use for weight loss. However, the study acknowledges limitations, such as the lack of data on specific indications for use. [Extracted from the article]

Objective Little is known about thyroid cancer survivors' risk of chronic conditions. We, therefore, investigated the prevalence of drugs used for chronic conditions among thyroid cancer patients using population-wide register data. Methods We linked data from the Cancer Registry of Norway to the Norwegian Prescription Database and other databases for a study population of 3.52 million individuals, including 3486 individuals with thyroid cancer diagnosed during 2005-2019. Prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% CIs of reimbursed prescribed drugs in thyroid cancer patients up to 15 years after thyroid cancer diagnosis were estimated by log-binomial regression, with the cancer-free population as reference. Results Individuals (both males and females) with thyroid cancer had higher use of drugs for several chronic conditions in the years after diagnosis; eg, 5 years after thyroid cancer diagnosis, there was elevated use of drugs for hypoparathyroidism (PRmales = 35.4, 95% CI, 25.2-49.7; PRfemales = 42.8, 95% CI, 34.2-53.6), hypertension (PRfemales = 1.20, 95% CI, 1.12-1.28), anxiety and tension (PRmales = 4.01, 95% CI, 1.80-8.92; PRfemales = 2.01, 95% CI, 1.15-3.52), gastric acid disorders (PRmales = 1.52, 95% CI, 1.22-1.91; PRfemales = 1.45, 95% CI, 1.27-1.66), and pain (PRmales = 1.48, 95% CI, 1.11-1.97; PRfemales = 1.24, 95% CI, 1.08-1.42) as compared with the cancer-free population. In addition, males with thyroid cancer had long-term elevated use of drugs for depression (eg, year 10+, PRmales = 1.66, 95% CI, 1.06-2.59). Individuals with thyroid cancer also had higher use of drugs for several conditions prior to the thyroid cancer diagnosis, eg, hypertension, gastric acid disorders, and pain. Conclusions Individuals diagnosed with thyroid cancer had elevated long-term use of drugs for several chronic conditions, as compared with the cancer-free population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To describe trends in the use of anti‐obesity drugs in Norway during the period 2004–2022. Materials and Methods: We assessed the annual utilization of any available drug indicated for obesity recorded in the nationwide Norwegian Prescribed Drug Register for adults (age 18–79 years) from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2022. Prevalence was stratified by sex and age group (18–29 years and 10‐year age groups thereafter). Additional analyses were performed in individuals initiating treatment with an anti‐obesity drug and on the cost of the anti‐obesity drugs since 2017. Results: The prevalence of anti‐obesity drug use decreased from 2009, when sibutramine and rimonabant were withdrawn from the market, and increased again after the approval of bupropion‐naltrexone in 2017 and liraglutide in 2018. The use of the peripheral‐acting anti‐obesity drug orlistat decreased from 2004. In 2022, 1.04% of the adult Norwegian population (72.8% women) filled at least one prescription of bupropion‐naltrexone, 0.91% used liraglutide (Saxenda; 74.2% women), and semaglutide without reimbursement was used by 0.68% (76.7% women). The prevalence increased with age, peaking in the age group 50 to 59 years, and decreased in older age groups. From 2017 to 2022, 2.8% of the adult residents initiated treatment with an anti‐obesity drug. The total sale of those drugs increased from 1.1 million euros in 2017 to 91.8 million euros in 2022. Conclusions: The use of anti‐obesity drugs in Norway has increased substantially in recent years, especially among women aged 40 to 59 years. Changes in availability and reimbursement have influenced the use of these drugs in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe ADHD medication use trajectories around pregnancy in Norway and Sweden. Methods: We identified pregnancies resulting in births using linked data from birth and prescribed drug registers of Norway (2006–2019, N = 813 107) and Sweden (2007–2018, N = 1 269 146). We restricted to women who filled prescriptions for ADHD medication during pregnancy or in the year before or after. We described exposure as use versus no use, and total amount of drug dispensed in defined daily doses (DDDs). Group‐based trajectory modeling was used to identify distinct medication use trajectories. Results: In total, 13 286 women (0.64%) filled a prescription for ADHD medication. We identified four trajectory groups: continuers (5.7%), interrupters (23.8%), discontinuers (49.5%), and late initiators (21.0%). Discontinuers were younger, continuers were older on average. More women continued medication in recent years (2014–2019). Most discontinuers (60.7%) were nulliparous; more initiators and continuers had one or multiple previous births, respectively. Continuers were least likely to live with a partner (65.8%). Discontinuers were least likely (24.7%) and continuers most likely (37.6%) to smoke at the beginning of pregnancy. More continuers used amphetamine derivatives and were most likely to use other psychotropics. On modeling continuers, we identified three dose‐trajectory groups which suggested that most women reduced medication dose during pregnancy. Conclusions: Most pregnant women discontinued or interrupted their ADHD medication during pregnancy, but more continued in recent years. Continuers were more likely to have had previous births, less likely to have lived with a partner, and may have had additional comorbidities warranting the use of other psychotropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]