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Stöllberger C, Finsterer J, Schneider B. Interactions between antiepileptic drugs and direct oral anticoagulants for primary and secondary stroke prevention. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2024; 20:359-376. [PMID: 38712571 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2024.2352466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are the guideline-recommended therapy for prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism. Since approximately 10% of patients using antiepileptic drugs (AED) also receive DOAC, aim of this review is to summarize data about drug-drug interactions (DDI) of DOAC with AED by using data from PubMed until December 2023. AREAS COVERED Of 49 AED, only 16 have been investigated regarding DDI with DOAC by case reports or observational studies. No increased risk for stroke was reported only for topiramate, zonisamide, pregabalin, and gabapentin, whereas for the remaining 12 AED conflicting results regarding the risk for stroke and bleeding were found. Further 16 AED have the potential for pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic DDI, but no data regarding DOAC are available. For the remaining 17 AED it is unknown if they have DDI with DOAC. EXPERT OPINION Knowledge about pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic DDI of AED and DOAC is limited and frequently restricted to in vitro and in vivo findings. Since no data about DDI with DOAC are available for 67% of AED and an increasing number of patients have a combined medication of DOAC and AED, there is an urgent need for research on this topic.
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Lasica R, Asanin M, Djukanovic L, Radovanovic N, Savic L, Polovina M, Stankovic S, Ristic A, Zdravkovic M, Lasica A, Kravic J, Perunicic J. Dilemmas in the Choice of Adequate Therapeutic Treatment in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism—From Modern Recommendations to Clinical Application. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15091146. [PMID: 36145366 PMCID: PMC9501350 DOI: 10.3390/ph15091146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary thromboembolism is a very common cardiovascular disease, with a high mortality rate. Despite the clear guidelines, this disease still represents a great challenge both in diagnosis and treatment. The heterogeneous clinical picture, often without pathognomonic signs and symptoms, represents a huge differential diagnostic problem even for experienced doctors. The decisions surrounding this therapeutic regimen also represent a major dilemma in the group of patients who are hemodynamically stable at initial presentation and have signs of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction proven by echocardiography and positive biomarker values (pulmonary embolism of intermediate–high risk). Studies have shown conflicting results about the benefit of using fibrinolytic therapy in this group of patients until hemodynamic decompensation, due to the risk of major bleeding. The latest recommendations give preference to new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA), except for certain categories of patients (patients with antiphospholipid syndrome, mechanical valves, pregnancy). When using oral anticoagulant therapy, special attention should be paid to drug–drug interactions, which can lead to many complications, even to the death of the patient. Special population groups such as pregnant women, obese patients, patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and the incidence of cancer represent a great therapeutic challenge in the application of anticoagulant therapy. In these patients, not only must the effectiveness of the drugs be taken into account, but great attention must be paid to their safety and possible side effects, which is why a multidisciplinary approach is emphasized in order to provide the best therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratko Lasica
- Department of Cardiology, Emergency Center, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Correspondence:
| | - Milika Asanin
- Department of Cardiology, Emergency Center, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lazar Djukanovic
- Department of Cardiology, Emergency Center, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nebojsa Radovanovic
- Department of Cardiology, Emergency Center, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lidija Savic
- Department of Cardiology, Emergency Center, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Polovina
- Department of Cardiology, Emergency Center, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sanja Stankovic
- Center for Medical Biochemistry, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Arsen Ristic
- Department of Cardiology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | | | - Jelena Kravic
- Department of Cardiology, Emergency Center, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jovan Perunicic
- Department of Cardiology, Emergency Center, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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Seiden LG, Connor GS. The importance of drug titration in the management of patients with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 128:108517. [PMID: 35066388 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The variable response to antiseizure medication (ASM) treatment and the numerous drug- and patient-related factors that must be considered when initiating therapy make drug titration to an optimal and tolerable dose an essential component in the pharmacologic treatment of patients with epilepsy. When initiating a new ASM, a "start low, go slow" titration approach is generally recommended and has been shown to reduce the risk of severe idiosyncratic reactions with certain medications and improve tolerability with regard to many frequently occurring central nervous system-related adverse effects (e.g., somnolence, dizziness). Many patients with epilepsy will require medication changes due to lack of efficacy or intolerability of the initial regimen. When this occurs, patients may be switched from one monotherapy to another or receive adjunctive therapy. When transitioning a patient from one ASM to another (referred to as monotherapy conversion or transitional polytherapy), there are several strategies for tapering the baseline ASM depending on the clinical scenario. Regardless of the particular strategy, the goal should be to discontinue the baseline ASM in order to prevent increased toxicity due to drug load. When adding on ASM therapy, flexible titration of the new ASM and adjustment of concomitant ASMs to achieve disease control with the lowest possible drug load (lowest numbers and lowest doses) may help improve tolerability of the add-on therapy. Communication with patients during the initiation of a new therapy may help patients adhere to the titration schedule, allowing them to reach their optimal maintenance dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence G Seiden
- The Multiple Sclerosis Center of Atlanta, 3200 Downwood Circle NW, Suite 550, Atlanta, GA 30327, USA.
| | - Gregory S Connor
- Neurological Center of Oklahoma, 6585 South Yale Avenue, Suite 620, Tulsa, OK 74136, USA
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