Prescriptions for Anti-Anxiety Meds Surge Due to Coronavirus
/By Pat Anson, PNN Editor
After weeks of isolation and the uncertainty of dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, it’s no surprise that many Americans are feeling depressed, anxious and not sleeping well.
“The trauma of a loved one being in the ICU, alone and not knowing if you'll ever see them again is horrific. It also adds to personal health anxiety,” one patient told us in our recent survey on the coronavirus.
“This is an extremely scary time. My anxiety is through the roof for many reasons,” another patient said. “I’m extremely worried I won’t pull through this or my husband and daughter won’t pull through this if they contract the virus! We’ve already lost my aunt and best friend both to coronavirus. One was 34, the other 62.”
“I feel more depressed and find my anxiety level is up. I worry most about getting my medications,” said another.
New research from pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts shows the stress is having a significant impact on the nation’s mental health.
From February 16 to March 15, the number of prescriptions filled in the U.S. for anti-anxiety medications rose by a third (34.1%), along with antidepressants (18.6%) and anti-insomnia drugs (14.8%).
More than three quarters (78%) of the prescriptions were new – meaning they weren’t refills.
“As COVID-19 began to significantly impact the U.S., we observed an increase in the use of prescription drugs that treat mental health conditions, particularly commonly used anti-anxiety medications known as benzodiazepines,” Express Script said in a new report called “America’s State of Mind.”
SOURCE: EXPRESS SCRIPTS
The increased use of benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium is striking, because the drugs had fallen out of favor in recent years in large part due to fears that they raise the risk of respiratory depression and overdose when used with opioids.
Prescriptions for anti-anxiety medication rose more for women (39.6%) than men (22.7%) between February 16 and March 15, according to Express Scripts.
Hydroxychloroquine Shortages
Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune diseases say their stress levels are up because they worry about losing access hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), a drug repeatedly touted by President Trump as a possible treatment for COVID-19.
“I am currently on Plaquenil for lupus and having Trump declare it is the cure for COVID-19 has limited my access to my medication. I am worried there won’t be enough,” a patient said.
“No chronic pain patient should have to sit and have the anxiety from concerns on being able to have access to medication needed to treat their illness,” a rheumatoid arthritis sufferer said. “I am in a horrible RA flare at this moment. I have no doubt that the stress of being concerned about getting my needed medication has helped to bring this flare on. I am really concerned about being able to get my much-needed hydroxychloroquine. There is no reasonable explanation for drug shortages in this country other than ignorance.”
“I have been on hydroxychloroquine for five years for my autoimmune disease and had never had an issue getting the medication until the virus. In March, I had to check 3 different pharmacies before I found one that had any in stock,” another patient said. “My usual pharmacy said that not a single one of their local chains had it in stock and that they were back-ordered. The pharmacy that did have it, was only able to do a partial refill.”
When she told her doctor what happened, he agreed to write a 3-month prescription for hydroxychloroquine to make sure she’d have an adequate supply. Her insurance company, however, refused to pay for more than a month’s supply.
“Not only do I worry about running out of medication, but each time I have to go to the pharmacy for various medications, I am exposing myself to others which could cause me to get the virus. As someone who has a compromised immune system, I want to leave the house as little as possible to avoid exposure,” the patient said.
On Friday, the Food and Drug Administration warned against using hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19 outside a hospital or clinical study because of “serious and potentially life-threatening heart rhythm problems.” Patients with heart and kidney disease are especially at risk.
The FDA said patients taking the drugs for approved reasons, including malaria and autoimmune conditions like lupus, should continue taking them as prescribed.
