A pharmacovigilance approach for assessing the occurrence of suicide-related events induced by antiepileptic drugs using the Japanese adverse drug event report database

Assessment of adverse events of the novel antiepileptic drug lamotrigine: a real-world pharmacovigilance study based on FAERS

BACKGROUND

Lamotrigine (LTG), a medication frequently prescribed for epilepsy. Despite its widespread use, there remains a lack of clarity regarding the drug's safety profile when used over extended periods in large patient populations. This study evaluated the safety profile of LTG using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), aiming to enhance clinical decision-making.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We used disproportionate analyses, including the reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN), and empirical Bayes geometric mean (EBGM), to identify signals of adverse reactions associated with LTG.

RESULTS

A total of 187,024 records were reported, involving 905 adverse drug event (ADE) signals across 27 system organs classes (SOCs). We detected several known adverse event (AE) signals from the clinical trial phase, including seizures, rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Additionally, we uncovered several unforeseen and significant adverse effects that were not documented in the medication's prescribing information, encompassing suicides, atrial septal defects, Brugada syndrome, and signals associated with aortic stenosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis in the post-marketing setting reveals new AE signals associated with LTG, highlighting the need for ongoing risk surveillance.

Association Between Hypnotics, Accidents, and Injuries: A Study Based on the Adverse Drug Event Reporting Database in Japan

BACKGROUND/AIM

The use of hypnotic drugs can lead to accidents and injuries. However, few reports have shown their association with these events after adjusting for many concomitant medications. This study aimed to determine whether the use of hypnotic drugs was associated with accidents and injuries.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using the Japanese Adverse Event Reporting Database, 772,387 reports published between September 2023 and April 2004 were analyzed. Reporting odds ratios (RORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for accidents and injuries associated with each hypnotic drug were calculated after adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Of the total, 12,484 reports indicated association of hypnotic drugs with accidents and injuries. The use of each hypnotic drug was associated with accidents, injuries, and other adverse events. However, a multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, reporting year, and concomitant medications showed a considerable decrease in ROR for melatonin receptor agonists (adjusted ROR=1.26; 95%CI=1.03-1.55) and dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) (adjusted ROR=1.04; 95%CI=0.86-1.25). Particularly in DORAs, a loss of signal for accidents and injuries was observed.

CONCLUSION

The risk of accidents and injuries may vary with hypnotic drug use; however, DORAs may be less frequently associated with these events. The results of this study provide useful information for the selection of hypnotic drugs.

Assessing the Labeling Information on Drugs Associated With Suicide Risk: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Drug-induced suicide (DIS) is a severe adverse drug reaction (ADR). Although clinical trials have provided evidence on DIS, limited investigations have been performed on rare ADRs, such as suicide.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to systematically review case reports on DIS to provide evidence-based drug information.

METHODS

We searched PubMed to obtain case reports regarding DIS published until July 2021. Cases resulting from drugs that are no longer used or are nonapproved, substance use, and suicidal intentions were excluded. The quality of each case report was assessed using the CASE (Case Reports) checklist. We extracted data regarding demographics, medication history, suicide symptoms, and symptom improvement and evaluated the causality of DIS using the Naranjo score. Furthermore, to identify the potential suicidal risk of the unknown drugs, we compared the results of the causality assessment with those of the approved drug labels.

RESULTS

In 83 articles, we identified 152 cases involving 61 drugs. Antidepressants were reported as the most frequent causative drugs of DIS followed by immunostimulants. The causality assessment revealed 61 cases having possible, 89 cases having probable, and 2 cases having definite relationships with DIS. For approximately 85% of suspected drugs, the risk of suicidal ADRs was indicated on the approved label; however, the approved labels for 9 drugs, including lumacaftor/ivacaftor, doxycycline, clozapine, dextromethorphan, adalimumab, infliximab, piroxicam, paclitaxel, and formoterol, did not provide information about these risks.

CONCLUSIONS

We found several case reports involving drugs without suicide risk information on the drug label. Our findings might provide valuable insights into drugs that may cause suicidal ADRs.

Drug Safety and Suicidality Risk of Chronic Pain Medications

Chronic pain is one of the main leading causes of disability in the world at present. A variety in the symptomatology, intensity and duration of this phenomenon has led to an ever-increasing demand of pharmacological treatment and relief. This demand for medication, ranging from well-known groups, such as antidepressants and benzodiazepines, to more novel drugs, was followed by a rise in safety concerns of such treatment options. The validity, frequency, and diversity of such concerns are discussed in this paper, as well as their possible effect on future prescription practices. A specific caution is provided towards the psychological safety and toll of these medications, regarding suicidality and suicidal ideation. Most significantly, this paper highlights the importance of pharmacovigilance and underscores the necessity of surveillance programs when considering chronic pain medication.

Occurrence of intraocular hemorrhages under monotherapy or combination therapy of antiplatelets and anticoagulants using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database

Purpose: An intraocular hemorrhage is an adverse event that can lead to visual acuity impairment. Antithrombotic therapy with antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants may increase intraocular hemorrhage. However, since their frequency is low, studies on the risk of intraocular hemorrhage with these drugs, especially under combination therapy, are limited. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of intraocular hemorrhages under monotherapy and combination therapy with antiplatelets and anticoagulants by analyzing a large pharmacovigilance database. Methods: Intraocular hemorrhage signals with oral antiplatelets and anticoagulants were evaluated by calculating reporting odds ratios and information components using the Japan Adverse Drug Reactions Report database from April 2004 to March 2022. In addition, differences in signals between younger and elderly patients, affecting factors, and time-to-onset from initial antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatments were analyzed. Results: Aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, apixaban, and rivaroxaban, but not ticagrelor, ticlopidine, prasugrel, dabigatran, and edoxaban showed intraocular hemorrhage signals under monotherapy. In combination therapy, dual therapy (aspirin + P2Y₁₂ inhibitors, warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants, and P2Y₁₂ inhibitors + warfarin) and triple therapy (aspirin + P2Y₁₂ inhibitors + warfarin) resulted in intraocular hemorrhage signals. Intraocular hemorrhage signals were observed in younger patients receiving monotherapy with aspirin and in elderly patients receiving monotherapy and combination therapy with warfarin. Affecting factors were diabetes mellitus in patients with prasugrel, use of medications for intravitreal injections, and posterior sub-Tenon injections with some antiplatelets and anticoagulants. The median period of intraocular hemorrhage occurrence after starting monotherapy with aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, or rivaroxaban was within 90 days. Conclusion: In addition to monotherapy with several antiplatelets and anticoagulants, combination therapy using aspirin, P2Y₁₂ inhibitors, and warfarin has the potential risk of intraocular hemorrhage. Particular attention should be paid to the occurrence of intraocular hemorrhages in younger patients taking aspirin, in elderly patients taking warfarin, and within the first 90 days of antiplatelet and anticoagulant use.