Researchers compared the risk of hospitalization and emergency department presentation for immune-related conditions in children with and without prenatal opioid exposure.
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The number of people prescribed opioids in Queensland increased more than 11-fold in two decades, but most prescriptions were in a low-dose range, according to University of Queensland-led research.
Dr Adeleke Adewumi, a UQ PhD graduate and Senior Pharmacist at Maryborough Hospital, said dosages of opioids within the state were most frequently on the lower end of the scale.
“The number of people dispensed dosages associated with increased risk of accidental overdose has declined since 2004,” Dr Adewumi said.
“At the same time, the number of patients dispensed opioids increased from 28,299 to 322,307 from 1997 to 2018, and the number of medical practitioners prescribing them rose from 4,537 to 20,226.