Projected inhibition of platelet aggregation with ticagrelor twice daily vs. clopidogrel once daily based on patient adherence data (the TWICE project)

Trends in Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Use for Neurointerventional Procedures for the Management of Intracranial Aneurysms

The use of periprocedural dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) has significantly evolved along with innovations in the endovascular management of intracranial aneurysms. Historically, aspirin and clopidogrel have been the most commonly employed regimen due to its safety and efficacy. However, recent studies highlight the importance of tailoring DAPT regimens to individual patient characteristics which may affect clopidogrel metabolism, such as genetic polymorphisms. In the present report, a systematic review of the literature was performed to determine optimal antiplatelet use with flow diverting stents, intracranial stents, intrasaccular devices, and stent-assisted coiling. Studies were analyzed for the number of aneurysms treated, DAPT regimen, and any thromboembolic complications. Based on inclusion criteria, 368 studies were selected, which revealed the increasing popularity of alternative DAPT regimens with the aforementioned devices. Thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications associated with antiplatelet medications were similar across all medications. DAPT with ticagrelor, tirofiban, or prasugrel are effective and safe alternatives to clopidogrel and do not require enzymatic activation. Further clinical trials are needed to evaluate different antiplatelet regimens with various devices to establish highest-level evidence-based guidelines and recommendations.

Efficacy and Safety of Tramadol Hydrochloride Twice-Daily Sustained-Release Bilayer Tablets with an Immediate-Release Component for Chronic Pain Associated with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Treatment-Withdrawal Study

Background and Objectives

Knee osteoarthritis pain is a chronic form of pain for which conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may provide insufficient analgesia. Twice-daily tramadol hydrochloride (65% sustained-release/35% immediate-release) bilayer tablets are a novel formulation of tramadol developed for managing chronic pain. The objectives of this study were to examine the effectiveness and safety of this formulation in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis pain.

Methods

This was a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, treatment-withdrawal study. Patients with a reduction in Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain of ≥2 points during a 1–3-week, open-label, tramadol dose-escalation period (100–300 mg/day) were randomized to continue tramadol or switched to placebo for 4 weeks (double-blind period). Patients with inadequate efficacy (increase in NRS ≥2 points/patient request) were withdrawn. Outcomes included the time to inadequate analgesic efficacy from randomization (primary endpoint), the cumulative retention rate, and safety.

Results

Overall, 249 and 160 patients entered the dose-escalation and double-blind periods, respectively (tramadol 79; placebo 81). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed superiority of tramadol (log-rank p = 0.042), and a hazard ratio of 0.50 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25–0.99). Documentation of an inadequate analgesic effect was less frequent in the tramadol group (15.4%, 95% CI 8.2–25.3% vs. 30.9%, 95% CI 21.1–42.1%). The cumulative retention rate was greater in the tramadol group (83.7% vs. 69.0%). Adverse events occurred in 80.6% (200/248) of patients in the open-label period, and in 38.5% (30/78) and 13.6% (11/81) of patients in the tramadol and placebo groups, respectively, in the double-blind period. Opioid-associated adverse events, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, somnolence, and dizziness, were the most frequent events.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the analgesic efficacy and safety of sustained-release tramadol tablets with an immediate-release component for chronic knee osteoarthritis pain.

Trial registration

JapicCTI-132103 (Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center; registration date February 25, 2015)

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40261-022-01139-5.

Evaluation of Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Vicagrel, a Novel P2Y12 Antagonist, in Healthy Chinese Volunteers

Background: Vicagrel is a novel anti-platelet drug and hydrolyzed to the same intermediate as clopidogrel via esterase, instead of CYP2C19. Here we report the first clinical trial on the tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of different doses of vicagrel, and comparison with clopidogrel in healthy Chinese volunteers. Methods: This study was conducted in two parts. Study I was a dose-escalating (5-15 mg) study. For each dose, 15 participants were randomized into three groups (total n = 45); nine participants were given vicagrel, three were given clopidogrel, and three were given a placebo. Study II was conducted to assess interactions between vicagrel and aspirin in 15 healthy participants. The plasma concentrations of the metabolites of vicagrel and clopidogrel were determined using a LC-MS/MS method. Platelet aggregation was assessed using the VerifyNow-P2Y12 assay. Results: Vicagrel (5-15 mg per day) dosing for 10 days or addition of aspirin was well tolerated in healthy volunteers. The exposure of the active metabolite increased proportionally across the dose range and was higher (~10-fold) than clopidogrel. The levels of IPA dosing 75 mg clopidogrel were between the responses of 5 mg and 10 mg vicagrel. After a single loading dose of vicagrel (30 mg) and a once-daily maintenance dose (7.5 mg) for 8 days, the maximum inhibition of platelet aggregation was similar to that seen with the combined use of vicagrel and aspirin (100 mg/day). Conclusion: Oral vicagrel demonstrated a favorable safety profile and excellent anti-platelet activity, which could be a promising P2Y12 antagonist as anti-platelet drug and can be further developed in phase II/III studies, and marketing for the unmet medical needs of cardiovascular diseases. The study was registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR-IIR-16009260).

Regularity of self-reported daily dosage of mood stabilizers and antipsychotics in patients with bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Polypharmacy is often prescribed for bipolar disorder, yet medication non-adherence remains a serious problem. This study investigated the regularity in the daily dosage taken of mood stabilizers and second generation antipsychotics.

METHODS

Daily self-reported data on medications taken and mood were available from 241 patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder who received treatment as usual. Patients who took the same mood stabilizer or second generation antipsychotic for ≥ 100 days were included. Approximate entropy was used to determine serial regularity in daily dosage taken. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate if demographic or clinical variables were associated with regularity.

RESULTS

There were 422 analysis periods available from the 241 patients. Patients took drugs on 84.4% of days. Considerable irregularity was found, mostly due to single-day omissions and dosage changes. Drug holidays (missing 3 or more consecutive days) were found in 35.8% of the analysis periods. Irregularity was associated with an increasing total number of psychotropic drugs taken (p = 0.009), the pill burden (p = 0.026), and the percent of days depressed (p = 0.049).

CONCLUSION

Despite low missing percent of days, daily drug dosage may be irregular primarily due to single day omissions and dosage changes. Drug holidays are common. Physicians should expect to see partial adherence in clinical practice, especially with complex drug regimens. Daily dosage irregularity may impact the continuity of drug action, contribute to individual variation in treatment response, and needs further study.

Comparative Long-Term Effect of Three Anti-P2Y12 Drugs after Percutaneous Angioplasty: An Observational Study Based on Electronic Drug Adherence Monitoring

Aims: Dual platelet inhibition using anti-P2Y12 drugs and aspirin is the standard of care in patients after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Prasugrel and ticagrelor have been shown to be more potent than clopidogrel with less high on-treatment platelet reactivity. Whether differences in long-term adherence to these drugs can partly explain different antiplatelet efficacy has not been studied so far. The objective was to compare the long-term P2Y12 receptor inhibition and drug adherence to different anti-P2Y12 drugs, and to assess the impact of adherence on the pharmacodynamic effect. Methods: Monocentric, prospective, observational study. Stable outpatients treated with clopidogrel 75 mg once daily, prasugrel 10 mg once daily or ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily after PCI with stent implantation were included. Drug adherence was recorded during 6 months using electronic monitoring. Platelet responsiveness was assessed with the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein platelet reactivity index (VASP-PRI) at inclusion, 3 and 6 months. Results: 120 patients had VASP-PRI and adherence data available. At 6-months, mean VASP-PRI (±SD) was 17.7 ± 11.0% with ticagrelor, 29.2 ± 15.5% with prasugrel and 47.2 ± 17.6% with clopidogrel (ANOVA, P < 0.0001). Median [IQR] taking adherence was 96 [82-100]% with ticagrelor, 100 [97-101]% with prasugrel and 100 [99-101]% with clopidogrel (p = 0.0001). Median [IQR] correct dosing was 88 [73-95]% with ticagrelor, 97 [92.5-98]% with prasugrel and 98 [96-99]% with clopidogrel (p = 0.0001). Anti-P2Y12 drug (p ≤ 0.001) and diabetes (p = 0.014) emerged as predictors of poor antiplatelet response after adjusting for age, BMI, sex, and CYP2C19^∗2 carriers status. Conclusion: Drug adherence to anti-P2Y12 drugs assessed with electronic monitoring was very high. However, anti-P2Y12 drugs showed significant differences in antiplatelet activity, with newer anti-P2Y12 drugs ticagrelor and prasugrel exerting a stronger P2Y12 receptor inhibition. These data suggest that pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic differences between oral anti-P2Y12 drugs are more important than adherence in determining antiplatelet efficacy when adherence to prescription is high. The study was registered (Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN85949729).

Adherence to antiplatelet treatment with P2Y12 receptor inhibitors. Is there anything we can do to improve it? A systematic review of randomized trials

Antiplatelet therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and/or undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions. Non-adherence to medication after ACS may lead to increased morbidity, mortality, and costs to the healthcare system due to elevated risk of stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction or death. Medication adherence is an issue of growing concern regarding the improvement of health system performance. Promoting medication adherence offers a rare opportunity to simultaneously improve health outcomes while reducing costs of treatment in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this systematic review was to critically discuss adherence to antiplatelet treatment with P2Y12 receptor inhibitors in CAD patients. After a systematic investigation of the literature in databases including PubMed, CENTRAL and Google Scholar, using appropriate keywords, and considering clinical randomized, prospective observational and retrospective studies, reporting on adherence to treatment with inhibitors of P2Y12 platelet receptors or educational interventions aimed to improve medication adherence in patients with CAD, seven articles were considered eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. Reported adherence to clopidogrel, despite catastrophic consequences of its premature discontinuation, is low. We identified several determinants of low adherence and early discontinuation of clopidogrel. We also present data on the usefulness, utilization and credibility of different methods of medication adherence assessment, and suggest and critically discuss available interventions aimed at improvement of adherence to clopidogrel, still showing the need for innovative approaches to achieve enhanced medication adherence and improve health outcomes after acute myocardial infarction.

Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation - The Use of NOACs in Everyday Clinical Practice

Non-antivitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have recently emerged as a new class of antithrombotic drugs. Four large-scale, randomised controlled trials (RCT) accredited dabigatran, rivaroxaban and edoxaban with evident advantages for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with warfarin. The superiority concerns not only the manageability but also the antithrombotic efficacy and safety. Aspects of real-life clinical experience with NOAC for stroke prevention in AF are analysed in an attempt to underline some practical differences. If at present the individualisation of the NOAC class drugs is still a subject of debate it is probable that in the near future we will be able to adapt the drug and dosages to individual patient's profile.

A framework for quantifying the influence of adherence and dose individualization

A failure to accommodate for a patient's imperfect adherence may result in therapeutic failure. Similarly, failure to accommodate a patient's individual needs via dose individualization may also result in poor patient outcomes. The property of a drug that signifies the likelihood of therapeutic success to imperfect adherence is termed "forgiveness." We introduce an extension to this concept as: (1) a priori forgiveness (forgiveness when dose individualization is not considered) and (2) a posteriori forgiveness (forgiveness when considering dose individualization). We illustrate cases when adherence is of primary importance and in which dose individualization is of primary importance. The concept of a priori forgiveness and a posteriori forgiveness provides a quantitative measure that allows the influence of adherence to be disentangled from dose individualization and could be used to provide clear guidelines about the relative importance of each in clinical practice.

Quantification of the Forgiveness of Drugs to Imperfect Adherence

The circumstance of how sensitive therapeutic success is under imperfect adherence is driven by the property known as forgiveness. To date, no studies have considered variability in the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic process in conjunction with imperfect adherence patterns in order to develop a comparative criterion to determine the forgiveness of a drug. In this study, we have proposed a criterion to quantify forgiveness; illustrated the criterion for a theoretical example and evaluated the forgiveness of a motivating example, namely warfarin. A forgiveness criterion, relative forgiveness, is defined as the number of times more likely that a target is successfully attained under perfect adherence compared to imperfect adherence; or when comparing two drugs under a standard setting of imperfect adherence. The relative forgiveness criterion may have important implications for both drug development and clinical practice since the choice of drug can account for the likely influence of its forgiveness.

Non-adherence to cardiovascular medications

Despite evidence-based interventions, coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a leading cause of global mortality. As therapies advance, patient non-adherence to established treatments is well recognized. Non-adherence is a powerful confounder of evidence-based practice and can affect daily patient management, resulting in inappropriate therapeutic escalation with greater costs and potential for harm. Moreover, it increases risk for adverse cardiac events, including mortality. Yet, non-adherence is complex, remains difficult to define, and provider ability to identify its presence accurately remains limited. Improved screening tools are needed to detect at-risk patients, enabling appropriate targeting of interventions. Given the rapidly expanding global population with CHD and emerging clinical and cost-benefits of adherence, addressing non-adherence to prescribed therapies is a top priority.