Age-related differences in the prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions in ambulatory dyslipidaemic patients treated with statins

Statin Therapy for Primary and Secondary Prevention in Older Adults

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Although statin therapy is well established to prevent atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASCVD) events in adults 40 to 75 years of age, it is less clear whether older adults benefit from statin therapy. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current evidence and guidelines on statin use for primary and secondary prevention in older patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Moderate to high intensity statin therapy decreases cardiovascular event rates in older patients with or at risk for ASCVD. Cardiac biomarkers and coronary calcium scoring can identify older patients at higher ASCVD risk who may benefit from statin therapy. Age alone should not be a deterrent to statin therapy in older patients. The decision to initiate statin therapy should occur after a patient to clinician discussion based on the patient's overall ASCVD risk and weighed against other clinical factors that influence the patient's life expectancy and quality of life.

Combination of low- or moderate-intensity statin and ezetimibe vs. high-intensity statin monotherapy on primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and all-cause death: a propensity-matched nationwide cohort study

AIMS

This study aims to compare the preventive effect of low- or moderate-statin with ezetimibe combination therapy and high-intensity statin monotherapy on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause death in a real-world setting.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service datasets, two cohorts comparing high-intensity statin monotherapy with low- or moderate-intensity statin and ezetimibe combination were constructed by 1:1 propensity score matching procedure. Primary outcome was a composite of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and all-cause death. Secondary outcome was an individual event. The study population was followed from baseline until the date of events, or the last health check-ups, whichever came first. Compared to high-intensity statin monotherapy, moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe combination significantly reduced the risk of composite outcome [hazard ratio (HR) 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77-0.92, P < 0.001] as well as individual MI (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.71-0.94, P = 0.005) and stroke (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.65-0.93, P = 0.005), but not all-cause death. Low-intensity statin with ezetimibe also significantly reduced the risk of the composite outcomes (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.66-0.97, P = 0.024) compared to high-intensity statin monotherapy, but the risk of individual outcome did not differ between two groups. Statin and ezetimibe combination demonstrated consistent effect across various subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Among people without pre-existing CVD, moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe combination was superior to high-intensity statin monotherapy in preventing composite outcomes as well as each of MI and stroke. In contrast, low-intensity statin with ezetimibe combination reduced the risk of composite but not individual outcomes.

Detecting drug-drug interactions between therapies for COVID-19 and concomitant medications through the FDA adverse event reporting system

Background: COVID-19 patients with underlying medical conditions are vulnerable to drug-drug interactions (DDI) due to the use of multiple medications. We conducted a discovery-driven data analysis to identify potential DDIs and associated adverse events (AEs) in COVID-19 patients from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), a source of post-market drug safety.

Materials and Methods: We investigated 18,589 COVID-19 AEs reported in the FAERS database between 2020 and 2021. We applied multivariate logistic regression to account for potential confounding factors, including age, gender, and the number of unique drug exposures. The significance of the DDIs was determined using both additive and multiplicative measures of interaction. We compared our findings with the Liverpool database and conducted a Monte Carlo simulation to validate the identified DDIs.

Results: Out of 11,337 COVID-19 drug-Co-medication-AE combinations investigated, our methods identified 424 signals statistically significant, covering 176 drug-drug pairs, composed of 13 COVID-19 drugs and 60 co-medications. Out of the 176 drug-drug pairs, 20 were found to exist in the Liverpool database. The empirical p-value obtained based on 1,000 Monte Carlo simulations was less than 0.001. Remdesivir was discovered to interact with the largest number of concomitant drugs (41). Hydroxychloroquine was detected to be associated with most AEs (39). Furthermore, we identified 323 gender- and 254 age-specific DDI signals.

Conclusion: The results, particularly those not found in the Liverpool database, suggest a subsequent need for further pharmacoepidemiology and/or pharmacology studies.

Prevalence and predictors of clinically significant statin-drug interactions among Yemeni patients taking statins for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND

Statins are extensively used in clinical practice for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Statins are usually taken in combination with other medications. This may increase the risk of statin-drug interactions. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of clinically significant statin-drug interactions among patients on statin therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the cardiology, endocrine, and internal medicine outpatient clinics in four tertiary care hospitals in Sana'a, Yemen. Lexicomp Drug Interaction database was used to analyze the prescriptions for potential statin-drug interactions. Binary and multivariable logistic regression were utilized for analysis.

RESULTS

Of the total number of patients (634), 114 individuals (18%) had a total of 122 statin-drug interactions. According to Lexicomp risk classification, 102 (83.6%) DDIs were class C (monitor therapy), 19 (15.6%) were class D (therapy modification), and only one (0.8%) class X (avoid combination). Simvastatin use was significantly associated with the presence of category D and X DDIs (15.9% vs. 1.6%, p < .001). Polypharmacy (OR = 2.571, p < .001) and having ≥3 comorbidities (OR = 2.512, p < .001) were the only variables associated with the presence of statin-drug interactions (C, D, and/or X).

CONCLUSION

Patients with polypharmacy and those with three or more comorbidities had a higher risk for statin-drug interactions. Therefore, routine screening by physicians and pharmacists for potential interactions should occur before prescribing or dispensing any medication to avoid clinically significant statin-drug interactions.

Comparing Important and Well-documented Potential Drug–Drug Interactions between Emergency, Medical, and Surgical ICUs of a Respiratory Referral Center

Introduction

Drug–drug interaction (DDI) is one of the major healthcare challenges in intensive care units (ICUs). The prevalence of DDIs and interacting drug pairs may vary between different types of ICUs. This study aimed to compare the frequency and nature of important and well-documented potential DDIs (pDDIs) in three types of ICUs.

Materials and methods

A prospective study was conducted in medical (M), surgical (S), and emergency (E) ICUs of a tertiary referral center for respiratory diseases. A pharmacist checked the patients’ files three days in a week for 6 months. The pDDIs were identified using the Lexi-Interact database. Interactions with a severity rating of D (modify regimen) and X (avoid combination) and with a reliability rating of good and excellent were considered important and well-documented. These pDDIs were evaluated in terms of drug combinations, mechanisms of interaction, and clinical management.

Results

One hundred eighty-nine patients admitted to MICU, SICU, and EICU were included in the study. The percentage of patients who experienced at least one important and well-documented pDDI was 18.8% in MICU, 11.1% in SICU, and 11.8% in EICU. The most common drug pairs causing important and well-documented interactions were atracurium + hydrocortisone in MICU, meropenem + valproic acid in MICU and EICU, and aspirin + warfarin in SICU.

Conclusion

The current study shows different frequency and nature of pDDIs between three types of ICUs. We recommend conducting similar studies in other settings to develop evidence-based guidance on clinically relevant pDDIs in different types of ICUs.

How to cite this article

Hosseinpoor Z, Farzanegan B, Baniasadi S. Comparing Important and Well-documented Potential Drug–Drug Interactions between Emergency, Medical, and Surgical ICUs of a Respiratory Referral Center. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(5):574–578.

Dyslipidemia and associated cardiovascular risk factors in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients visiting ambulatory clinics: A hospital-based study

Background

Dyslipidemia is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), accounting for more than half of all instances of coronary artery disease globally (CAD).

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine lipid-related cardiovascular risks in HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals by evaluating lipid profiles, ratios, and other related parameters.

Methods

A hospital-based study was carried out from January 2019 to February 2021 in both HIV + and HIV- ambulatory patients.

Results

High TG (p = .003), high TC (p = .025), and low HDL (p < .001) were all associated with a two-fold increased risk of CVD in people aged 45 and up. Due to higher TG (p < .001) and lower HDL (p < .001), males were found to have a higher risk of atherogenic dyslipidemia. A twofold increase in the likelihood of higher TG levels has been associated with smoking (p = .032) and alcohol intake (p = .022). A twofold increase in a high TC/HDL ratio and an elevated TG/HDL ratio was observed with an increase in waist-to-height ratio (p = .030) and a high level of FBS (126 mg/dl) and/or validated diabetes (p = .017), respectively. In HIV + participants, central obesity (p < .001), diabetes (p < .001), and high blood pressure (p < .001) were all less common than in HIV- participants.

Conclusions

Dyslipidemia is linked to advanced age, male gender, diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, and increased waist circumference, all of which could lead to an increased risk of CVD, according to the study. The study also revealed that the risks are less common in HIV + people than in HIV-negative ambulatory patients.

Potential drug-drug interactions in patients with cardiovascular diseases: findings from a prospective observational study

Background

Patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are at high risk of experiencing drug–drug interactions (DDIs). The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency, level and risk factors associated with potential-DDIs (pDDIs) in hospitalized CVD patients at cardiology departments of two tertiary care hospitals in Quetta, Pakistan.

Methods

In the current prospective observational study, a total of 300 eligible CVD inpatients were evaluated for pDDIs using Lexicomp Interact®. The pDDIs were classified into class A (no known interaction); B (no action needed); C (monitor therapy: it is documented that the benefits of an interaction outweigh the risk, appropriately monitor therapy in order to avoid potential adverse outcomes); D (consider therapy modification: it is documented that proper actions must be taken to reduce the toxicity resulting from an interaction); X (avoid combination: the risk of an interaction outweighs the benefits and are usually contraindicated). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to find factors associated with the presence of Class-D and/or X pDDIs. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

With a median of 8.50 pDDIs per patient, all patients (100%) had ≥ 1 pDDIs. Out of total 2787 pDDIs observed, 74.06% (n = 2064) were of moderate and (n = 483) 17.33% of major severity. Class C pDDIs were most common (n = 1971, 70.72%) followed by D (n = 582, 20.88%), B (n = 204, 7.32%) and X (n = 30, 1.08%). Suffering from cardiovascular diseases other than myocardial infarction (OR 0.053, p-value < 0.001) and receiving > 12 drugs (OR 4.187, p-value = 0.009) had statistical significant association with the presence of class D and/or X pDDIs.

Conclusion

In the current study, pDDIs were highly prevalent. The inclusion of DDI screening tools, availability of clinical pharmacists and paying special attention to the high-risk patients may reduce the frequency of pDDIs at the study sites.

Assessing Drug-Drug Interaction Potential among Patients Admitted to Surgery Departments in Three Palestinian Hospitals

Background

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are a common issue that leads to adverse drug reactions in hospitals. Patients in the surgical department are expected to have potential DDIs that may lead to morbidity and mortality.

Objectives

To study potential DDI prevalence in the surgery departments in 3 hospitals in Palestine. Moreover, to identify pertinent factors that are associated with drug-drug interactions.

Method

A cross-sectional study in 3 governmental Palestinian hospitals: Palestine Medical Complex, Rafidia Hospital, and Beit Jala Hospital. Patients who are 20 years old or above and admitted to the surgical wards between September 2017 and February 2018 were included in the study. Patient demographics, all medications given in the hospital, and hospitalization period were obtained from medical files. The digital clinical decision support system Micromedex® was used for analysis and classification of possible drug interactions. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were used to study the risk factors for developing DDIs.

Results

502 patients were included in this report. The prevalence of potential DDIs among patients admitted to surgery wards in three Palestinian hospitals was 56%. The number of detected potential DDIs per patient was 2.22 ± 3.76. The number of prescribed medications (P < 0.001) was found to increase the possibility of having drug interactions.

Conclusions

DDIs in Palestinian hospitals are a prevalent problem, and caution should be taken when ordering medications to hospitalized patients in surgery departments.

Risk factors for potential drug-drug interactions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) are especially frequent in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who, if hospitalized, experience, on average 6.5 pDDIs on admission, and 7.2 on discharge. The aim of our study was to identify and analyze risk and/or protective factors for occurrence of pDDIs in hospitalized patients with COPD. Main outcome was occurrence of pDDIs in COPD patients ascertained by Medscape, Epocrates, and Micromedex interaction checkers. The most serious pDDIs (contraindicated/serious/major/use alternative) were found in 16 (22%), 8 (11%), and 35 (49%) patients, according to the Medscape, Epocrates, and Micromedex, respectively. The COPD patients who were prescribed more drugs (especially antiarrhythmic and anticoagulants), by several independent prescribers, and having more comorbidities, were more prone to experience a pDDI; the only protective factor against pDDIs was age of the patients. In conclusion, COPD patients with the abovementioned risk factors should have their therapy more intensely monitored for pDDIs.

Drug-drug interactions involving CYP3A4 and p-glycoprotein in hospitalized elderly patients

Polypharmacy is very common in older patients and may be associated with drug-drug interactions. Hepatic cytochrome P450 (notably 3A4 subtype, CYP3A4) is a key enzyme which metabolizes most drugs; P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a transporter which significantly influences distribution and bioavailability of many drugs. In this study, we assess the prevalence and patterns of potential interactions observed in an hospitalized older cohort (Registro Politerapia Società Italiana di Medicina Interna) exposed to at least two interacting drugs involving CYP3A4 and P-gp at admission, during hospitalization and at discharge. Individuals aged 65 and older (N-4039; mean age 79.2; male 48.1%), hospitalized between 2010 and 2016, were selected. The most common combinations of interacting drugs (relative frequency > 5%) and socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with the interactions were reported. The prevalence of interactions for CYP3A4 was 7.9% on admission, 10.3% during the stay and 10.7% at discharge; the corresponding figures for P-gp interactions were 2.2%, 3.8% and 3.8%. The most frequent interactions were amiodarone-statin for CYP3A4 and atorvastatin-verapamil-diltiazem for P-gp. The prevalence of some interactions, mainly those involving cardiovascular drugs, decreased at discharge, whereas that of others, e.g. those involving neuropsychiatric drugs, increased. The strongest factor associated with interactions was polypharmacy (OR 6.7, 95% CI 5.0-9.2). In conclusion, hospital admission is associated with an increased prevalence, but also a changing pattern of interactions concerning CYP3A4 and P-gp in elderly. Educational strategies and appropriate use of dedicated software seem desirable to limit drug interactions and the inherent risk of adverse events in older patients.

High-Intensity Statin Therapy Is "Too Much," Thus Not Indicated for Very Elderly Patients

PURPOSE

Although moderate- to high-intensity statin therapy is increasingly recommended in cardiovascular disease patients, the efficacy and safety in elderly patients have not been proven clearly. Here, we compare the effect of various-intensity statins between elderly and very elderly patients.

METHODS

43,870 patients over 65 years old who were treated with statins were screened using electronic medical record data.

RESULTS

We evaluated 451 patients in the elderly group aged 65-74 years and 159 patients in the very elderly group over 75 years old. Baseline cholesterol profiles were similar between the 2 groups, but the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk was significantly higher in the very elderly (20.9 ± 11.5$ vs. 37.2 ± 13.6$, p < 0.001). The reduction rate of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (-40.2 ± 21.3$ vs. -39.3 ± 21.0$, p = 0.634) and the ratio of target LDL attainment (74.2 vs. 79.2$, p = 0.252) were similar between the 2 groups. Low-intensity statins showed comparable LDL cholesterol reduction with moderate-intensity statins both in the elderly and the very elderly groups. The 10-year ASCVD risk reduction was similar between the 2 groups (-3.5 ± 4.9$ vs. -3.0 ± 8.4$, p = 0.480), but in the very elderly group, no different ASCVD reduction rate was shown in low- to high-intensity statins (p = 0.784). Only the elderly group showed a significant correlation (r = 0.112, p = 0.017) with LDL reduction and 10-year ASCVD risk. Interestingly, the incidence of adverse drug reaction (ADR) was higher in the very elderly group (4.4$) than in the elderly group (2.7$) and was more frequent in high-intensity statin therapy.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of statins in LDL reduction was similar between the elderly and very elderly population. However, the benefit of moderate- to high-intensity statins is limited considering potential ADR. Therefore, the stepwise intensification of statin therapy might be necessary for the very elderly in spite of the higher cardiovascular risk.

Statin drug interactions and related adverse reactions: an update

INTRODUCTION

Statins reduce the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with or at risk for cardiovascular disease and their use is expanding, especially in elderly. Statins are prescribed on a long-term basis and may undergo drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with other drugs. Statins have different safety and tolerability, and this might affect the possibility of DDIs with other cardiovascular drugs, increasing the risk of statin-associated myopathy and hepatotoxicity. Polypharmacy and pharmacogenetic variability are potential causes of statin DDIs. Thus, the safety and adverse effects of statins, particularly in patients receiving multiple medications at risk of DDIs, are a matter of special concern.

AREAS COVERED

The purpose of this manuscript is to give an update on the potential statin DDIs and related adverse drug reactions (myopathy and hepatotoxicity), with special considerations on polypharmacy in elderly population, HIV patients, cardiovascular drugs and liver toxicities. The potential DDIs among statins and monoclonal antibodies including the recently approved PCSK9 inhibitors are also extensively discussed in the present review.

EXPERT OPINION

A better understanding of the incidence and clinical significance of statin DDIs will help physicians in fine-tuning the lipid-lowering therapeutic interventions thus providing their patients with an evidence-based, safe and cost-effective clinical support.

Prevalence and predictors of potential drug-drug interactions in patients of internal medicine wards of a tertiary care hospital in India

Background

Drug-drug interactions are a major source of adverse drug events (ADEs). Polypharmacy, age and the number of comorbid conditions are important predictors of adverse drug interactions. ADEs account for up to 5% of hospital admissions per year and an increase in the length of hospital stay.

Objective

To find the prevalence and predictors of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) in patients admitted to the wards of an internal medicine department of a tertiary care hospital.

Method

Patients admitted to internal medicine wards with prescriptions having more than one drug were selected. Demographic details including age, gender, number of comorbid conditions, number of drugs prescribed and the disease for which the patient was admitted were recorded in a case record form. Interactions were checked using Micromedex DrugReax software.

Results

A total of 939 patients were recruited for this study based on inclusion criteria. 433 prescriptions (46%) had one or more pDDIs, with a range of 1-13 drug interactions per prescription. A total of 1395 drug interactions were found, with 866 moderate drug interactions (62%), 435 major interactions (31.1%) and 89 minor interactions (6.3%). During the study period only three contraindicated drug combinations (0.2%) were recorded. A significant association (p<0.01) was found between the number of pDDIs and predictors, age and number of drugs.

Conclusion

A total of 433 prescriptions (46%) had one or more pDDIs. Older patients and those prescribed >6 drugs are at major risk for occurrence of pDDIs. Moderate severity interactions were the highest number followed by major severity interactions.

Prevalence of potentially serious drug-drug interactions among South African elderly private health sector patients using the Mimica Matanović/Vlahović-Palčevski protocol

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of potentially serious drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and their relationship with gender and age, among elderly in South Africa.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted using pharmaceutical claims data for 2013, for a total of 103 420 medical scheme beneficiaries' ≥65 years. All medications dispensed within one calendar month where the days' supply of medication dispensed overlapped, were grouped as one prescription. DDIs per prescription were then identified using the Mimica Matanović/Vlahović-Palčevski DDI protocol. Results were interpreted using effect sizes, that is Cramér's V, Cohen's d and Cohen's ƒ² .

KEY FINDINGS

A total of 331 659 DDIs were identified on 235 870 (25.8%, N = 912 713) prescriptions (mean 0.36 (SD 0.7) (95% CI, 0.36 to 0.37)). Women encountered 63.5% of all DDIs. Effect sizes for the association between DDIs and age group (Cramér's V = 0.06), and gender (Cramér's V = 0.05) was negligible. There was no difference between men and women regarding the mean number of DDIs identified per prescription (Cohen's d = 0.10). The number of medicine per prescription (ƒ² = 0.51) was the biggest predictor of the DDIs. The most frequent interacting drug combinations were between central nervous system medicines (30.6%).

CONCLUSION

Our study is the first to report the prevalence of potentially serious DDIs among an elderly population in the South African private health sector utilising the Mimica Matanović/Vlahović-Palčevski DDI protocol. Overall, we identified DDIs in approximately 26% of the prescriptions in our study. Age and gender were not found to be predictors of potentially serious DDIs.

A Prospective Analysis of Drug Interactions in Patients of Intensive Cardiac Care Unit

INTRODUCTION

Drug-Drug Interaction (DDI) is a serious concern in cardiac patients due to polypharmacy.

AIM

The present study was aimed to identify the potential DDI among hospitalized cardiac patients and evaluate the mechanism and severity of such interactions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted in intensive cardiac care unit of a tertiary care hospital for six months. Patients aged 18 years and above and taking two or more drugs were included in the study. Medscape drug interaction checker was used to identify and analyze the pattern of potential DDI.

RESULTS

Out of 500 patients, most of the patients were male (78.4%) in the age group of 50-60 years (31%). The most common diagnosis was acute coronary syndrome (57.2%). Out of total 2849 DDI, 2194 (77.01%) were pharmacodynamic, 586 (20.57%) were pharmacokinetic in nature while 69 (2.42%) drug pairs interacted by unknown mechanism. Majority of drug interactions were significant {2031 (71.29%)} in nature followed by minor {725(25.45%)} while serious drug interactions were observed in only 93 (3.26%) drug pairs. A positive correlation was observed between patient's age and number of drugs prescribed (r=0.178, p<0.001), number of drugs prescribed and potential Drug-Drug Interaction (pDDI) (r= 0.788, p<0.001) and between patient's age and pDDI (r=0.338, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The risk of pDDI was more commonly observed in elderly male patients particularly with antiplatelet drugs like low dose aspirin and clopidogrel.

Prevalence of Potential and Clinically Relevant Statin-Drug Interactions in Frail and Robust Older Inpatients

BACKGROUND

A significant proportion of older people are prescribed statins and are also exposed to polypharmacy, placing them at increased risk of statin-drug interactions.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence rates of potential and clinically relevant statin-drug interactions in older inpatients according to frailty status.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of patients aged ≥65 years who were prescribed a statin and were admitted to a teaching hospital between 30 July and 10 October 2014 in Sydney, Australia, was conducted. Data on socio-demographics, comorbidities and medications were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Potential statin-drug interactions were defined if listed in the Australian Medicines Handbook and three international drug information sources: the British National Formulary, Drug Interaction Facts and Drug-Reax(®). Clinically relevant statin-drug interactions were defined as interactions with the highest severity rating in at least two of the three international drug information sources. Frailty was assessed using the Reported Edmonton Frail Scale.

RESULTS

A total of 180 participants were recruited (median age 78 years, interquartile range 14), 35.0% frail and 65.0% robust. Potential statin-drug interactions were identified in 10% of participants, 12.7% of frail participants and 8.5% of robust participants. Clinically relevant statin-drug interactions were identified in 7.8% of participants, 9.5% of frail participants and 6.8% of robust participants. Depending on the drug information source used, the prevalence rates of potential and clinically relevant statin-drug interactions ranged between 14.4 and 35.6% and between 14.4 and 20.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In our study of frail and robust older inpatients taking statins, the overall prevalence of potential statin-drug interactions was low and varied significantly according to the drug information source used.

Statin drug-drug interactions in a Romanian community pharmacy

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Statins are frequently prescribed for patients with dyslipidemia and have a well-established safety profile. However, when associated with interacting dugs, the risk of adverse effects, especially muscular toxicity, is increased. The objective of this study was to identify, characterize and quantify the prevalence of the potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) of statins in reimbursed prescriptions from a community pharmacy in Bucharest.

METHODS

We analyzed the reimbursed prescriptions including statins collected during one month in a community pharmacy. The online program Medscape Drug Interaction Checker was used for checking the drug interactions and their classification based on severity: Serious - Use alternative, Significant - Monitor closely and Minor.

RESULTS

132 prescriptions pertaining to 125 patients were included in the analysis. Our study showed that 25% of the patients who were prescribed statins were exposed to pDDIs: 37 Serious and Significant interactions in 31 of the statins prescriptions. The statins involved were atorvastatin, simvastatin and rosuvastatin.

CONCLUSIONS

Statin pDDIs have a high prevalence and patients should be monitored closely in order to prevent the development of adverse effects that result from statin interactions.

Assessment of potential drug-drug interactions and its associated factors in the hospitalized cardiac patients

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) may result in the alteration of therapeutic response. Sometimes they may increase the untoward effects of many drugs. Hospitalized cardiac patients need more attention regarding drug-drug interactions due to complexity of their disease and therapeutic regimen. This research was performed to find out types, prevalence and association between various predictors of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) in the Department of Cardiology and to report common interactions. This study was performed in the hospitalized cardiac patients at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan. Patient charts of 2342 patients were assessed for pDDIs using Micromedex® Drug Information. Logistic regression was applied to find predictors of pDDIs. The main outcome measure in the study was the association of the potential drug-drug interactions with various factors such as age, gender, polypharmacy, and hospital stay of the patients. We identified 53 interacting-combinations that were present in total 5109 pDDIs with median number of 02 pDDIs per patient. Overall, 91.6% patients had at least one pDDI; 86.3% were having at least one major pDDI, and 84.5% patients had at least one moderate pDDI. Among 5109 identified pDDIs, most were of moderate (55%) or major severity (45%); established (24.2%), theoretical (18.8%) or probable (57%) type of scientific evidence. Top 10 common pDDIs included 3 major and 7 moderate interactions. Results obtained by multivariate logistic regression revealed a significant association of the occurrence of pDDIs in patient with age of 60 years or more (p < 0.001), hospital stay of 7 days or longer (p < 0.001) and taking 7 or more drugs (p < 0.001). We found a high prevalence for pDDIs in the Department of Cardiology, most of which were of moderate severity. Older patients, patients with longer hospital stay and with elevated number of prescribed drugs were at higher risk of pDDIs.

Prevalence of statin-drug interactions in older people: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Statins are among the most frequently prescribed medications internationally. Older people are commonly prescribed multiple medications and are at an increased risk of drug-drug interactions, including statin-drug interactions. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of current evidence on the prevalence of statin-drug interactions in older people.

METHODS

A systematic search of observational studies in Embase, Medline, and PubMed was conducted. Articles were included if they were published in English during the period July 2000-July 2014 and reported on the prevalence of statin-drug interactions in people over 65 years of age. Two reviewers independently assessed the articles for eligibility and extracted the data.

RESULTS

The search returned 1556 eligible articles. A total of 19 articles met the inclusion criteria. In studies (n = 7) that focused on statin users only, the prevalence of potential statin-drug interactions assessed using different measures ranged from 0.19 to 33.0 %. In studies that examined drug interactions across a population of both statin users and non-users (n = 12), the prevalence of potential statin-drug interactions ranged from 0.1 to 7.1 % (n = 8), and the prevalence of clinically relevant statin-drug interactions ranged from 1.5 to 4 % (n = 4).

CONCLUSIONS

Current published evidence suggests substantial variations in the prevalence of statin-drug interactions and their clinical relevance. Further studies are necessary to provide a better understanding of the prevalence of clinically significant statin-drug interactions, the medications most frequently contributing to statin-drug interactions, and impact on relevant clinical outcomes in older people.

Time trends in 20 years of medication use in older adults: Findings from three elderly cohorts in Stockholm, Sweden

New drugs and expanded drug indications are constantly being introduced. Welfare states strive to provide equity in drug treatment for all of its citizens and todaýs healthcare systems spend financial resources on drugs for the elderly in a higher rate than for any other age group. Drug utilization in elderly persons has an impact in health and wellbeing in older people.

THE PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH

It was to describe the changes in medication use including people aged 78 years and over regardless of residence and other characteristics over 20 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study population consisted of 4304 participants in three population-based cross-sectional surveys conducted in the Kungsholmen area of central Stockholm, Sweden. The participant's current drug utilization was reviewed by physicians following standardized protocols. Data were statistical analyzed. Logistic regression models was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for use of analgesics and psychotropic drugs in the cohorts of 2001 and 2007, controlling for age, gender, education and cognition.

THE PRINCIPAL RESULTS AND MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

Results shows that the prevalence of medication use and polypharmacy in older adults has increased dramatically the late 1980s to the 2000s in central Stockholm, Sweden. In particular, the use of analgesics increased significantly, while some drug groups decreased, i.e., antipsychotics. Women used more medication than men in all three cohorts. Older adults living in service buildings used the largest amount of drugs in 1987, whereas those living in institutions were the most frequent users in 2001 and 2007.

Drug-drug interactions that interfere with statin metabolism

INTRODUCTION

Lipid-lowering drugs, especially hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), are widely used in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerotic diseases. The benefits of statins are well documented. However, myotoxic side effects, which can sometimes be severe, including myopathy or rhabdomyolysis, have been associated with the use of statins. In some cases, this toxicity is associated with pharmacokinetic alterations. Potent inhibitors of CYP 3A4 significantly increase plasma concentrations of the active forms of simvastatin, lovastatin and atorvastatin. Fluvastatin is metabolized by CYP2C9, while pravastatin, rosuvastatin and pitavastatin are not susceptible to inhibition by any CYP.

AREAS COVERED

This review discusses the pharmacokinetic aspects of the drug-drug interaction with statins and genetic polymorphisms in CYPs, which are involved in the metabolism of statins, and highlights the importance of establishing a system utilizing electronic medical information practically to avoid adverse drug reactions.

EXPERT OPINION

An understanding of the mechanisms underlying statin interactions will help to minimize drug interactions and develop statins that are less prone to adverse interactions. Quantitatively analyzed information for the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering effects of statin based on electronic medical records may be useful for avoiding the adverse effect of statins.

Potential drug interactions with statins: Estonian register-based study

In Estonia, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are widely used to modify lipid levels but there are no current data on additional medicines prescribed alongside the statins. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of potential clinically relevant interactions at a national level among an outpatient population treated with statins between January and June 2008, based on the prescription database of the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. This retrospective prevalence study included 203,646 outpatients aged 50 years or older, of whom 29,367 received statin therapy. The study analysed individuals who had used at least one prescription medicine for a minimum of 7 days concomitantly with statins. Potential drug interactions were analysed using Epocrates online, Stockley's Drug Interactions, and the drug interaction database developed in Estonia. Statins metabolised by the CYP3A4 isoenzyme were prescribed to 64% of all statin users. Medicines known to have potentially clinically significant interactions with statins were prescribed to 4.6% of patients. The drugs prescribed concomitantly most often with simvastatin were warfarin (5.7%) and amiodarone (3.9%), whereas digoxin (1.2%) and ethinylestradiol (2%) were prescribed with atorvastatin. Potential interactions were not detected in the treatment regimens of rosuvastatin, pravastatin, and fluvastatin users.

[Risk of pharmacological interactions due to the co-administration of statins and cytochrome P450 isoenzyme 3A4-metabolized drugs: multicentre, crossover study]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Statins are safe but have a significant potential for pharmacological interactions. The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of potential interactions throughout the cytochrome P450 isoenzyme 3A4 (CYP3A4) system in a large sample of statin-treated subjects and to determine which factors, from the patient and the physician, were associated with a higher risk of interactions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is an observational, cross-over, population study that included 7,880 subjects treated with statins. Both data from patients and from the1,681 participating physicians were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine percent of the participants were receiving a statin metabolized by the CYP3A4, and 21.5% of all participants received a drug, different from a statin, metabolized by the CYP3A4. There were no differences in the frequency of utilization of statins metabolized or not by the CYP3A4 in relation to the simultaneous prescription of drugs metabolized by the same pathway (22 vs. 21%, respectively). Globally, 12.9% of all participants were at risk of an interaction. These patients were older, received a higher number of drugs and had more comorbidity. Sixty percent of the physicians mentioned that the possibility of an interaction greatly conditioned their selection of a particular statin. Likewise, 56% of them had software that alerted of possible interactions. These aspects, however, did not influence the number of patients at risk of interactions.

CONCLUSION

The proportion of statin-treated patients at risk of interaction is elevated. Physicians do not usually pay attention to this possibility despite having available alert software and therapeutic alternatives.

Prevention of inappropriate prescribing in hospitalized older patients using a computerized prescription support system (INTERcheck(®))

BACKGROUND

Polypharmacy is very common among older adults and can lead to inappropriate prescribing, poor adherence to treatment, adverse drug events and the prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Electronic prescription database software may help to prevent inappropriate prescribing and minimize the occurrence of adverse drug reactions. INTERcheck(®) is a Computerized Prescription Support System (CPSS) developed in order to optimize drug prescription for elderly people with multimorbidity.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the applicability of INTERcheck(®) as a means of reviewing the pharmacological profiles of elderly patients hospitalized in an acute geriatric ward in Northern Italy; and (ii) to evaluate the effectiveness of INTERcheck(®) in reducing potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), potentially severe DDIs and the anticholinergic burden in daily practice.

METHODS

Two samples of elderly patients (aged 65+ years) hospitalized in a geriatric ward in Italy were enrolled throughout 2012. During the first (observation) phase, medications prescribed to 74 patients at admission and discharge were analyzed with INTERCheck(®) without any kind of interference based on information obtained from the software. During the second (intervention) phase, the treatment of 60 patients was reviewed and changed at discharge according to INTERCheck(®) suggestions.

RESULTS

In the observational period, the number of patients exposed to at least one PIM remained unchanged on both admission (n = 29; 39.1 %) and discharge (n = 28; 37.8 %). In the intervention phase, 25 patients (41.7 %) were exposed to at least one PIM at admission and 7 (11.6 %) at discharge (p < 0.001). The number of patients exposed to at least one potentially severe DDI decreased from 27 (45.0 %) to 20 (33.3 %), although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.703), while the number of new-onset potentially severe DDIs decreased from 37 (59.0 %) to 9 (33.0 %) [p < 0.001].

CONCLUSIONS

The use of INTERCheck(®) was associated with a significant reduction in PIMs and new-onset potentially severe DDIs. CPSSs combining different prescribing quality measures should be considered as an important strategy for optimizing medication prescription for elderly patients.

Drug-drug interactions between HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) and antiviral protease inhibitors

The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are a class of drugs also known as statins. These drugs are effective and widely prescribed for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Seven statins are currently available: atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin. Although these drugs are generally well tolerated, skeletal muscle abnormalities from myalgia to severe lethal rhabdomyolysis can occur. Factors that increase statin concentrations such as drug-drug interactions can increase the risk of these adverse events. Drug-drug interactions are dependent on statins' pharmacokinetic profile: simvastatin, lovastatin and atorvastatin are metabolized through cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A, while the metabolism of the other statins is independent of this CYP. All statins are substrate of organic anion transporter polypeptide 1B1, an uptake transporter expressed in hepatocyte membrane that may also explain some drug-drug interactions. Many HIV-infected patients have dyslipidemia and comorbidities that may require statin treatment. HIV-protease inhibitors (HIV PIs) are part of recommended antiretroviral treatment in combination with two reverse transcriptase inhibitors. All HIV PIs except nelfinavir are coadministered with a low dose of ritonavir, a potent CYP3A inhibitor to improve their pharmacokinetic properties. Cobicistat is a new potent CYP3A inhibitor that is combined with elvitegravir and will be combined with HIV-PIs in the future. The HCV-PIs boceprevir and telaprevir are both, to different extents, inhibitors of CYP3A. This review summarizes the pharmacokinetic properties of statins and PIs with emphasis on their metabolic pathways explaining clinically important drug-drug interactions. Simvastatin and lovastatin metabolized through CYP3A have the highest potency for drug-drug interaction with potent CYP3A inhibitors such as ritonavir- or cobicistat-boosted HIV-PI or the hepatitis C virus (HCV) PI, telaprevir or boceprevir, and therefore their coadministration is contraindicated. Atorvastatin is also a CYP3A substrate, but less potent drug-drug interactions have been reported with CYP3A inhibitors. Non-CYP3A-dependent statin concentrations are also affected although to a lesser extent when coadministered with HIV or HCV PIs, mainly through interaction with OATP1B1, and treatment should start with the lowest available statin dose. Effectiveness and occurrence of adverse effects should be monitored at regular time intervals.

The prevalence of co-prescription of clinically relevant CYP enzyme inhibitor and substrate drugs in community-dwelling elderly Australians

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

The elderly are at increased risk of adverse effects resulting from drug interactions due to decreased drug clearance and polypharmacy. This study examines the prevalence of the co-administration of clinically relevant cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme inhibitors with drugs that are substrates for these enzymes, in the community-dwelling elderly in Australia.

METHODS

Participants aged 75 years or older (n = 1045) were recruited via their general practitioners at four Australian sites (Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide). A research nurse visited the home of each patient to compile a list of all prescription medications (including doses) currently used by the patient, and to complete assessments for depression, quality of life and cognitive status. The medication data were searched for the co-prescription of clinically relevant CYP inhibitor and corresponding substrate drugs.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Potentially inappropriate CYP inhibitor-substrate combinations were found in 6·2% (65/1045) of patients. These patients were on significantly more medications (6·1 ± 3·0 vs. 3·9 ± 2·5; P = 0·001) and had a significantly lower physical quality of life (P = 0·047) than those who were not on any CYP inhibitor-substrate combinations. The most commonly prescribed inhibitor-substrate combinations involved the CYP 3A4 inhibitors, diltiazem and verapamil, with the substrates simvastatin or atorvastatin. Only 1 of 41 patients on a CYP3A4 inhibitor and a statin was prescribed a non-CYP 3A4 metabolized statin. Metoprolol was another substrate commonly co-prescribed with a CYP2D6 inhibitor. In many cases, the risks and benefits of potential interactions may have been considered by the GP as the prescribed doses of both the inhibitor and substrate were relatively low. There were, however, some notable exceptions, also involving the substrates simvastatin, atorvastatin and metoprolol. There were no GP factors that were associated with co-prescription of CYP inhibitors and substrates.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

There is not a particular GP demographic that should be targeted for education regarding CYP interactions, but a focus on particular medications such as the statins may reduce the potential for clinically significant drug-drug interactions. As CYP drug-drug interactions are more common in patients on higher number of medications, particular vigilance is required at the time of prescribing and dispensing medications for elderly patients with multiple conditions.

Potential statin-drug interactions: prevalence and clinical significance

Background

Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs widely used for cardiovascular prevention. Although safe when used alone, in combination with other drugs the likelihood of adverse drug reactions increases significantly. The exposure of the Bulgarian population to coprescriptions leading to potential statin-drug interactions is currently unknown.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of coprescriptions involving statins and to compare the exposure of outpatients and inpatients to potential statin-drug interactions.

Setting

A cardiology clinic of the teaching University hospital in Varna, Bulgaria.

Method

This observational retrospective study examined the medical records of hospitalized patients prescribed a statin in combination with potentially interacting drugs. Patients who entered the hospital with a statin coprescription (considered outpatients) were compared with those coprescribed a statin at discharge from hospital (considered inpatients). Potentially interacting drugs included inhibitors and inducers of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and drugs of narrow safety margin (coumarin anticoagulants, digitalis).

Main outcome measure

The proportion of patients exposed to statin coprescriptions with potentially interacting drugs at hospital admission and discharge. Secondary outcome measures: laboratory evidence supporting possible statin-drug interactions.

Results

Out of 1641 hospitalized patients examined, 572 were prescribed a statin, either at hospital admission or discharge. Simvastatin was most commonly prescribed and simvastatin-drug coprescription predominated, especially at discharge. The exposure to all potential statin-drug interactions was similar at hospital admission (26.1%) and discharge (24.4%), as was the exposure to statin combinations with CYP inhibitors, 6.4% and 4%, correspondingly. Overall, more coprescriptions were generated, than were eliminated by hospital physicians. Amiodarone was the CYP inhibitor most frequently coprescribed. Of all interacting drugs acenocoumarol was the most commonly found, the proportions of statin-acenocoumarol coprescriptions being roughly the same at hospital entry (11.5%) and discharge (12.4%). In 7 patients out of 69 exposed to the combination, INR was found to be higher than 3, indicating a risk of over-anticoagulation.

Conclusions

Potential statin-drug interactions are common. Although they do not differ between outpatient and inpatient settings, new hazardous coprescriptions are more frequently generated in hospital. Caution is required when acenocoumarol is coprescribed with statins, especially simvastatin.

Drug-drug interactions in a cohort of hospitalized elderly patients

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of patients exposed to potentially severe drug-drug interactions (DDIs) at hospital admission and discharge and the related risk of in-hospital mortality and adverse clinical events, readmission, and all-cause mortality at 3 months.

METHODS

This cross-sectional, prospective study was held in 70 Italian internal medicine and geriatric wards. Potentially severe DDIs at hospital admission and discharge; risk of in-hospital mortality and of adverse clinical events, readmission, and all-cause mortality at 3-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Among 2712 patients aged 65 years or older recruited at hospital admission, 1642 (60.5%) were exposed to at least one potential DDI and 512 (18.9%) to at least one potentially severe DDI. Among 2314 patients discharged, 1598 (69.1%) were exposed to at least one potential DDI and 1561 (24.2%) to at least one potentially severe DDI. Multivariate analysis found a significant association with an increased risk of mortality at 3 months in patients exposed to at least two potentially severe DDIs (Odds ratio 2.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-6.68; p = 0.05). Adverse clinical events were potentially related to severe DDIs in two patients who died in the hospital, in five readmitted, and one who died at 3 months after discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospitalization was associated with an increase in potentially severe DDIs. A significant association was found for mortality at 3 months after discharge in patients with at least two potentially severe DDIs. Careful monitoring for potentially severe DDIs, especially those created at discharge or recently generated, is important to minimize the risk of harm.

Adherence to drug label recommendations for avoiding drug interactions causing statin-induced myopathy--a nationwide register study

PURPOSE

To investigate the extent to which clinicians avoid well-established drug-drug interactions that cause statin-induced myopathy. We hypothesised that clinicians would avoid combining erythromycin or verapamil/diltiazem respectively with atorvastatin or simvastatin. In patients with statin-fibrate combination therapy, we hypothesised that gemfibrozil was avoided to the preference of bezafibrate or fenofibrate. When combined with verapamil/diltiazem or fibrates, we hypothesized that the dispensed doses of atorvastatin/simvastatin would be decreased.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis of nationwide dispensing data. Odds ratios of interacting erythromycin, verapamil/diltiazem versus respective prevalence of comparator drugs doxycycline, amlodipine/felodipine in patients co-dispensed interacting statins simvastatin/atorvastatin versus patients unexposed (pravastatin/fluvastatin/rosuvastatin) was calculated. For fibrates, OR of gemfibrozil versus fenofibrate/bezafibrate in patients co-dispensed any statin was assessed.

RESULTS

OR of interacting erythromycin versus comparator doxycycline did not differ between patients on interacting and comparator statins either in patients dispensed high or low statin doses (adjusted OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.60-1.25 and 0.92; 95% CI 0.69-1.23). Interacting statins were less common among patients dispensed verapamil/diltiazem as compared to patients on amlodipine/felodipine (OR high dose 0.62; CI 0.56-0.68 and low dose 0.63; CI 0.58-0.68). Patients on any statin were to a lesser extent dispensed gemfibrozil compared to patients not dispensed a statin (OR high dose 0.65; CI 0.55-0.76 and low dose 0.70; CI 0.63-0.78). Mean DDD (SD) for any statin was substantially higher in patients co-dispensed gemfibrozil 178 (149) compared to patients on statin monotherapy 127 (93), (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Prescribers may to some extent avoid co-prescription of statins with calcium blockers and fibrates with an increased risk of myopathy. We found no evidence for avoiding co-prescriptions of statins and antibiotics with an increased risk of statin-induced adverse drug reactions. Co-prescription of statins and gemfibrozil is paradoxically associated with a marked increased statin dose, further aggravating the risk for severe myopathy.

Statin drug interactions and related adverse reactions

INTRODUCTION

Statin monotherapy is generally well tolerated, with a low frequency of adverse events. The most important adverse effects associated with statins are myopathy and an asymptomatic increase in hepatic transaminases, both of which occur infrequently. Because statins are prescribed on a long-term basis, their possible interactions with other drugs deserve particular attention, as many patients will typically receive pharmacological therapy for concomitant conditions during the course of statin treatment.

AREAS COVERED

This review summarizes the pharmacokinetic properties of statins and emphasizes their clinically relevant drug interactions and related adverse reactions.

EXPERT OPINION

Avoiding drug-drug interactions and consequent adverse drug reactions is essential in order to optimize compliance, and thus improve the treatment of patients at high cardiovascular risk. The different pharmacokinetic profiles among statins should be carefully considered, in order to understand the possible spectrum of drug interactions. The growing trend toward earlier statin treatment for the prevention of cardiovascular disease means that physicians must anticipate future polypharmacy when their patients require additional medications for comorbid conditions.

Polypharmacy and food-drug interactions among older persons: a review

Polypharmacy is generally defined as the use of 5 or more prescription medications on a regular basis. The average number of prescribed and over-the-counter medications used by community-dwelling older adults per day in the United States is 6 medications, and the number used by institutionalized older persons is 9 medications. Almost all medications affect nutriture, either directly or indirectly, and nutriture affects drug disposition and effect. This review will highlight the issues surrounding polypharmacy, food-drug interactions, and the consequences of these interactions for the older adult.

Polypharmacy, aging and potential drug-drug interactions in outpatients in Taiwan: a retrospective computerized screening study

BACKGROUND

Polypharmacy is common in outpatients and has been identified as a major risk factor for drug-drug interactions (DDIs), which are an important cause of adverse drug reactions. There has been a rapid increase in the number of elderly patients worldwide. However, there have been few studies quantifying the impact of both patient age and the number of concomitant drugs prescribed on the probability of potential DDIs per person in general outpatients.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the extent to which polypharmacy and aging are associated with potential DDIs in outpatients at a medical centre in Taiwan.

METHODS

The medications of 81,650 outpatients who visited a medical centre in Taiwan between January 2004 and March 2004 were retrospectively screened for potential DDIs using a computerized drug-interaction program. The main inclusion criteria were a minimum of two drug prescriptions and duration of use of 14 or more days. We also analysed the DDI pattern, which included severity, level of documentation and onset of potential DDIs, and assessed the impact of the number of drugs prescribed and of aging on the prevalence of potential DDIs per person.

RESULTS

The prevalence of potential DDIs was 25.6% (20,902 of 81,650). The mean ± SD age of the 20,902 patients with potential DDIs was 57.5 ± 16.5 years, and 47.6% of these patients were male. The mean ± SD number of prescribed drugs in patients with potential DDIs was 5.8 ± 2.4, and 67.7% of these patients were prescribed more than four drugs. The majority (55.7%) of DDIs were of the C2 pattern (severity: moderate; documentation: probable). The prevalence of potential DDIs increased in a linear mode with increasing age (p < 0.001) and with the number of drugs prescribed (p < 0.001); furthermore, in addition to being independently associated with potential DDIs, these two factors interacted to increase the risk further.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that approximately one-quarter of 81,650 outpatients who visited a medical centre in Taiwan over a period of 3 months in 2004 had potential DDIs. We observed independent increases in potential DDIs per person in association with aging and increasing number of prescribed drugs. Furthermore, a significant interaction between these two factors was observed: the effect of aging on the prevalence of potential DDIs increased as the number of prescribed drugs increased. Potential DDIs in outpatients can be reduced by minimizing the number of drugs prescribed following careful consideration of both their benefits and risks, particularly in the aging population.

Drug-drug interactions with statins: will pitavastatin overcome the statins' Achilles' heel?

BACKGROUND

As the clinical complexity of patients at high cardiovascular risk and with multiple comorbid conditions increases, so does the potential for drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Large retrospective studies in various clinical settings have shown that an unacceptably large proportion of patients are coprescribed a statin with potentially interacting therapies, suggesting that the impact of polypharmacy on the safety profile of statins may be underappreciated.

SCOPE

To assess the evidence for the burden of DDIs and related adverse drug reactions (ADRs) with current statins relative to pitavastatin, a new agent recently approved in the USA and EU.

METHODS

Structured review of the PubMed and EMBASE databases (to 15 October 2010) for literature on statins in the areas of ADRs, polypharmacy and DDIs; pharmacokinetics, and pitavastatin clinical safety and efficacy.

FINDINGS

Patients who are on statin therapy are often receiving multiple medications for comorbid conditions, and so are at increased risk of ADRs, such as myopathy, because of pharmacokinetic interactions at the level of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and/or organic anion-transporting polypeptides. Pitavastatin has a distinctive metabolic profile that means it is marginally metabolised by CYP enzymes, and is therefore expected to have a low risk of DDIs and related ADRs. A large post-marketing study conducted in more than 20,000 patients in Japan has demonstrated that the rate of DDIs with pitavastatin treatment may compare favourably with that observed with atorvastatin and rosuvastatin.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of pitavastatin to the range of available statins provides prescribing physicians with a new treatment option that is expected to have a low risk of DDIs and related ADRs. This, coupled with the demonstrated efficacy of pitavastatin in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, should help physicians individualise lipid-lowering regimens based on the patient profile and concomitant medications.

Potential drug-drug interactions associated with prolonged stays in the intensive care unit: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are one cause of adverse drug events and can cause harm to hospitalized patients. Little has been done to study the relationship between potential DDIs and an increased length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of potential DDIs during ICU stays and to determine whether the frequency of these adverse events was associated with ICU LOS.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted from January to December 2007 in the ICU of the General Hospital of Vitória da Conquista, Brazil. The study population comprised all patients aged >18 years admitted to the hospital's ICU. Demographic and prescription data were collected from medical files. All prescriptions administered during the period were examined. Potential DDIs were identified and classified according to the book Drug Interaction Facts. The median LOS was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to analyse the relationship between potential DDIs and the LOS.

RESULTS

The study population comprised 236 adults, 158 (67%) of them men, between the ages of 18 and 96 years, with a mean ± SD age of 50 ± 20 years. The median LOS among patients with at least one DDI was 12 days compared with 5 days among those with no DDIs (p < 0.01). Multiple Cox proportional regression analyses showed that a prolonged ICU stay was positively associated with DDIs (hazard ratio [HR] 0.54; 95% CI 0.37, 0.80; p < 0.01), where an HR <1 indicates a variable that increases the risk of prolonged stay (i.e. an adverse outcome). This association was true even after controlling for the cost of hospitalization, the number of procedures and the number of prescribed drugs.

CONCLUSION

In this study, DDIs were found to be associated with a longer ICU stay. Given that LOS is an important indicator of the quality of health care delivered and that DDIs are considered avoidable, specific measures are necessary to increase the recognition of DDIs. E-prescriptions and dispensing programmes associated with a DDI knowledge base can help health professionals identify hazardous drug combinations.

Biochemical mechanisms in drug-induced liver injury: Certainties and doubts

Drug-induced liver injury is a significant and still unresolved clinical problem. Limitations to knowledge about the mechanisms of toxicity render incomplete the detection of hepatotoxic potential during preclinical development. Several xenobiotics are lipophilic substances and their transformation into hydrophilic compounds by the cytochrome P-450 system results in production of toxic metabolites. Aging, preexisting liver disease, enzyme induction or inhibition, genetic variances, local O₂ supply and, above all, the intrinsic molecular properties of the drug may affect this process. Necrotic death follows antioxidant consumption and oxidation of intracellular proteins, which determine increased permeability of mitochondrial membranes, loss of potential, decreased ATP synthesis, inhibition of Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase, reduced capability to sequester Ca²⁺ within mitochondria, and membrane bleb formation. Conversely, activation of nucleases and energetic participation of mitochondria are the main intracellular mechanisms that lead to apoptosis. Non-parenchymal hepatic cells are inducers of hepatocellular injury and targets for damage. Activation of the immune system promotes idiosyncratic reactions that result in hepatic necrosis or cholestasis, in which different HLA genotypes might play a major role. This review focuses on current knowledge of the mechanisms of drug-induced liver injury and recent advances on newly discovered mechanisms of liver damage. Future perspectives including new frontiers for research are discussed.

Co-medication of statins and CYP3A4 inhibitors before and after introduction of new reimbursement policy

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) are frequently used drugs in the treatment of dyslipidaemia. Co-medication with interacting drugs increases the risk of statin-induced muscular side-effects. Simvastatin exhibits particularly high interaction potential due to substantial metabolism via cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4).

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

In June 2005, a new reimbursement policy was introduced by the Norwegian Medicines Agency stating that simvastatin should be prescribed as first-line lipid-lowering therapy. Following introduction of the new policy, the number of patients co-medicated with simvastatin and CYP3A4 inhibitors almost doubled. A potential consequence is increased incidence of muscular side-effects in the statin-treated population.

AIMS

To assess the prevalence of co-medication of statins and CYP3A4 inhibitors before and after introduction of a new Norwegian reimbursement policy, which states that all patients should be prescribed simvastatin as first-line lipid-lowering therapy.

METHODS

Data from patients receiving simvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin or atorvastatin in 2004 and 2006, including co-medication of potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, were retrieved from the Norwegian Prescription Database covering the total population of Norway. Key measurements were prevalence of continuous statin use (two or more prescriptions on one statin) and proportions of different statin types among all patients and those co-medicated with CYP3A4 inhibitors.

RESULTS

In 2004, 5.9% (n= 272 342) of the Norwegian population received two or more prescriptions on one statin compared with 7.0% (n= 324 267) in 2006. The relative number of simvastatin users increased from 39.7% (n= 112 122) in 2004 to 63.1% (n= 226 672) in 2006. A parallel increase was observed within the subpopulation co-medicated with statins and CYP3A4 inhibitors, i.e. from 42.9% (n= 7706) in 2004 to 63.6% (n= 13 367) in 2006. For all other statins the number of overall users decreased to a similar extent to those co-medicated with CYP3A4 inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

In both 2004 and 2006, the choice of statin type did not depend on whether the patient used a CYP3A4 inhibitor or not. Considering the pronounced interaction potential of simvastatin with CYP3A4 inhibitors, a negative influence of the new policy on overall statin safety seems likely.

Use of drugs that act on the cytochrome P450 system in the elderly

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to analyze medications that act on the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymatic system and are used daily by non-institutionalized elderly individuals.

METHODS

A cross-sectional population-based study of elderly individuals (> or = 60 years old) was conducted. All continuously used medications with hepatic metabolism via CYP450 that are classified as substrates, inducers or inhibitors were considered. For the analysis, elderly individuals were stratified according to age groups, and hepatic metabolism activity due to daily alcohol consumption and smoking were considered.

RESULTS

Elderly individuals (396 in total: 222 women and 174 men) between 60 and 95 years of age (mean: 72.1) were assessed. Use of drugs that act on CYP450 was identified in 61.6% of the subjects. Drug use was observed among 16.2% of the subjects: three drugs among 9.8% and four or more among 6.3% of the subjects. The metabolic activities of the drugs used were classified as substrates (58.8%), inhibitors (14.9%), and inducers (4.3%). The main drugs used were beta-blockers and statins (as substrates), proton pump inhibitors and fluoxetine (as inhibitors), and prednisone and carbamazepine (as inducers).

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that the elderly use high levels of medications that act on CYP450, thereby increasing the risk of drug interactions in a group that is already vulnerable to adverse drug effects.

Concomitant use of statins and CYP3A4 inhibitors in administrative claims and electronic medical records databases

BACKGROUND

Patients may experience increased risk of adverse drug interactions when statins are administered concomitantly with cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE

To determine patient numbers in routine clinical practice with concomitant exposure to CYP3A4-metabolized statins and CYP3A4 inhibitors and highlight potential risk for adverse drug interaction.

METHODS

Exposure to prescription medications over 1 year (2005-2006) was evaluated from patient records: US PharMetrics Integrated Patient-Centric administrative claims database and the US General Electric Medical System (GEMS) database. Rates of concomitant prescribing of statins with CYP3A4 inhibitors (listed in United States of America product labels and all identified potential inhibitors) were examined in the cohort overall, in those aged ≥65 years, and in those receiving higher doses of statins.

RESULTS

Overall, 951,166 patient records were included (PharMetrics n = 650,825; GEMS, n = 300,341). Of these, 792,081 (83%) patients used a CYP3A4-metabolized statin as opposed to a non-CYP3A4-metabolized statin (17%). Findings from both databases were consistent. Overall, 25-30% of patients given a CYP3A4-metabolized statin were concomitantly exposed to a CYP3A4 inhibitor, including approximately 9% concomitantly exposed to a labeled inhibitor, findings consistent with those in patients aged ≥65 years, and patients on higher doses of statins.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians frequently co-prescribe CYP3A4-metabolized statins with CYP3A4 inhibitors. Physician education regarding the impact of these inhibitors on the metabolism of lovastatin, simvastatin, and atrovastatin is needed. Further studies are also needed to determine whether concomitant administration of a non-CYP3A4-metabolized statin (such as fluvastatin, pravastatin, or rosuvastatin) with a CYP3A4 inhibitor, may reduce adverse event rates in routine clinical practice.