Use of Chronic Medications Among Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Frequency of administration (once daily versus more than once daily) is believed to be an important consideration affecting drug choice.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and the extent to which they take chronic medications, other than anticoagulants, more frequently than once daily.

Methods: Using data from a large, national database of health insurance claims, patients with a diagnosis of NVAF between 1 July 2008 and 30 September 2011 were identified, along with their prescription medications, to determine the proportion of patients taking chronic medications more than once a day.