Characterization of Statin-Associated Myopathy Case Reports in Thailand Using the Health Product Vigilance Center Database

A systematic review of the drug-drug interaction between statins and colchicine: Patient characteristics, etiologies, and clinical management strategies

Colchicine and statins are frequently co-prescribed for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, auto-inflammatory diseases, and gout. Both are substrates and inhibitors of the cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A4 isozyme and P-glycoprotein so that taken together, they represent a clinically significant interaction. Data suggest the interaction may be associated with potentially life-threatening myopathies and rhabdomyolysis. The purposes of this systematic review (SR) were to gather and appraise evidence surrounding the statin-colchicine drug interaction and discuss related risk-mitigation strategies. An electronic literature search was performed. Twenty-one articles met the protocol to be included in the qualitative analysis: 18 case reports/series, 2 retrospective observational cohort studies, and 1 retrospective case-control study. Thirty-eight patients developed an adverse drug event (ADE) receiving statin-colchicine combination therapy; 25 (66%) patients developed myopathy; 10 (26%) patients developed rhabdomyolysis, and three (8%) patients developed neuromyopathy. Over 70% of patients developed ADEs on simvastatin or atorvastatin, and 80% of studies reported moderate-to-high intensity statins. Colchicine dosing varied but ranged between 0.5 to 1.5 mg daily. Sixty-two percent of patients in the case reports/series had comorbid renal disease. Seven studies (33% of all included studies) reported patients taking concomitant interacting medications at the CYP3A4 and/or P-glycoprotein efflux pump. Seventeen studies (81% of all included studies) reported ADEs leading to hospitalization. A multivariate analysis from one case-control study identified risk factors prognosticating myopathy ADEs in patients taking statin-colchicine therapy: comorbid renal disease and/or cirrhosis, colchicine doses 1.2 mg daily or greater, and concomitant interacting medications. Clinicians must be cognizant that the statin-colchicine drug interaction may lead to patient harm and thus should employ risk-mitigation strategies for statin-associated muscle symptoms. Future studies are warranted to validate clinically relevant risk factors that are strongly associated with the complications owing to the statin-colchicine drug interaction.

Rosuvastatin and Colchicine combined myotoxicity: lessons to be learnt

Statins and colchicine co-administration consists of a potentially catastrophic drug-drug interaction since it provokes myotoxicity, myopathy and various degrees of rhabdomyolysis. Lipophilic statins and colchicine are biotransformed in the liver, primarily via CYP3A4 enzyme system leading to elevated blood levels of both agents and resulting in increased potential for combined myotoxicity. Hence, it would be of great clinical importance not only the awareness of this devastating complication but also the more advantageous type of statin that we should choose to achieve the recommended therapeutic goals regarding LDL levels with minimal myopathy risk. Therefore, once colchicine's use is commenced, a hydrophilic statin selection, such as rosuvastatin, seems favorable regarding the risk of myotoxicity. Herein, we aim to describe a patient with chronic kidney disease stage III and nephrotic syndrome that developed acute rhabdomyolysis soon after the administration of rosuvastatin while receiving colchicine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the combined effect of rosuvastatin and colchicine in the setting of chronic kidney disease leading to myotoxicity.

Safety of systemic treatments for Behçet's syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Treatment of Behçet's syndrome (BS) is aimed at controlling all symptoms of such a complex disorder, ensuring a good quality of life and preventing life-threatening complications. A better understanding of the pathogenic role of different chemokines has improved our knowledge of BS and elicited a more specific use of therapies currently available, minimizing the burden of potential side-effects related to treatment.

AREAS COVERED

This work aims to provide a detailed overview of the safety profile for current therapies available in the treatment of BS, focusing on the main side-effects, toxicity and contraindications.

EXPERT OPINION

The greatest experience in the management of BS has been achieved with the employment of monoclonal anti-tumor necrosis factor antibodies which have been advocated for BS refractory manifestations. Moreover, interleukin-1 inhibitors have proven to be effective as well as safe, despite escalation of their dosage, especially to manage the most severe and difficult-to-treat ocular manifestations. However, general treatment of BS patients remains awkward as protean clinical features may respond differently to the same treatment or even worsen. Therefore, patients' safety for therapies used in BS promotes the implementation of precision medicine, which could help targeting accurately the pathogenetic mechanisms concealed behind specific clinical phenotypes.

Trends and variations in outpatient coprescribing of simvastatin or atorvastatin with potentially interacting drugs in Thailand

Background:

The aim of this study was to assess trends and variations in coprescribing of simvastatin or atorvastatin with interacting drugs in Thailand.

Methods:

Outpatient prescriptions between 2013 and 2015 in 26 tertiary care hospitals were analyzed for statin coprescribing. The proportion of patients exposed to coprescribing was estimated for semi-annual changes, using a time-series analysis and for hospital variations, using an interquartile range (IQR).

Results:

The coprescribing of simvastatin with all contraindicated drugs in 10 university and 16 general hospitals, respectively, was 3.6 and 3.1% in 2013, then decreased to 3.2 and 2.6% in 2014 and to 2.6 and 2.0% in 2015. The drug most frequently coprescribed with simvastatin, on a decreasing trend (by 0.19 percentage points) was gemfibrozil (in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively; 2.9, 2.3 and 2.0% in university hospitals, and 2.5, 2.0 and 1.6% in general hospitals). A similar trend was found in atorvastatin-gemfibrozil coprescribing. Patients coprescribed simvastatin with the rest of the contraindicated drugs were relatively stable at 0.6–0.8%. No protease inhibitors were coprescribed with simvastatin and atorvastatin. The IQR of simvastatin coprescribing in the university hospitals was smaller than that in the general hospitals and decreased over time.

Conclusions:

Coprescriptions potentially leading to drug interactions with simvastatin in Thailand were observed although the contraindicated drugs were acknowledged. Mutual awareness among health professionals and the implementation of electronic prescribing should be strengthened as zero drug interaction was possible as in the case of protease inhibitors in the present study.

Gout: An old disease in new perspective - A review

Gout is a picturesque presentation of uric acid disturbance. It is the most well understood and described type of arthritis. Its epidemiology is studied. New insights into the pathophysiology of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis; acute and chronic allow for an even better understanding of the disease. The role of genetic predisposition is becoming more evident. The clinical picture of gout is divided into asymptomatic hyperuricemia, acute gouty arthritis, intercritical period, and chronic tophaceous gout. Diagnosis is based on laboratory and radiological features. The gold standard of diagnosis is identification of characteristic MSU crystals in the synovial fluid using polarized light microscopy. Imaging modalities include conventional radiography, ultrasonography, conventional CT, Dual-Energy CT, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, nuclear scintigraphy, and positron emission tomography. There is remarkable progress in the application of ultrasonography and Dual-Energy CT which is bound to influence the diagnosis, staging, follow-up, and clinical research in the field. Management of gout includes management of flares, chronic gout and prevention of flares, as well as management of comorbidities. Newer drugs in the pharmacological armamentarium are proving successful and supplement older ones. Other important points in its management include patient education, diet and life style changes, as well as cessation of hyperuricemic drugs.

Impact of comorbidities on gout and hyperuricaemia: an update on prevalence and treatment options

Gout, the most prevalent inflammatory arthritis worldwide, is associated with cardiovascular and renal diseases, and is an independent predictor of premature death. The frequencies of obesity, chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemias, cardiac diseases (including coronary heart disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation), stroke and peripheral arterial disease have been repeatedly shown to be increased in gout. Therefore, the screening and care of these comorbidities as well as of cardiovascular risk factors are of outmost importance in patients with gout. Comorbidities, especially CKD, and drugs prescribed for their treatment, also impact gout management. Numerous epidemiological studies have shown the association of asymptomatic hyperuricaemia with the above-mentioned diseases and cardiovascular risk factors. Animal studies have also produced a mechanistic approach to the vascular toxicity of soluble urate. However, causality remains uncertain because confounders, reverse causality or common etiological factors might explain the epidemiological results. Additionally, these uncertainties remain unsolved despite recent studies using Mendelian randomisation or therapeutic approaches. Thus, large randomised placebo-controlled trials are still needed to assess the benefits of treating asymptomatic hyperuricaemia.

Prevalence of potential drug interactions in Thai patients receiving simvastatin: The causality assessment of musculoskeletal adverse events induced by statin interaction

Drug-drug interactions are one of the major risk factors associated with statin-induced myopathy. Although simvastatin is widely used in Thailand, studies investigating the prevalence of potential simvastatin-drug interactions (SDIs) and its clinical relevance in Thai population are still limited. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of potential SDIs (phase 1 study) and musculoskeletal adverse effects (AEs) associated with those interactions (phase 2 study). A phase 1 study was retrospectively conducted with outpatients at a 60-bed hospital who received simvastatin between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013. In phase 2, study was cross-sectionally conducted in outpatients whose prescriptions contain potential SDIs. Musculoskeletal AEs were evaluated by using symptom checklist questionnaires and measuring plasma creatinine kinase (CK). The causal relationship between the AEs and the potential SDIs was assessed using a Drug Interaction Probability Scale.

Out of 3447 simvastatin users, potential SDIs were found in 314 patients (9.1%). The prevalence of prescriptions containing potential SDIs was in the range of 4.7–6.0%. Two-thirds of the potential SDIs were rated to be highly significant while more than 70% were in contraindication list. The most common precipitant drugs were gemfibrozil (382 prescriptions), colchicine (171 prescriptions) and amlodipine (152 prescriptions). Of 49 patients recruited into phase 2 study, we found that 31 patients (63.3%) had myopathy. Myalgia was the most frequently identified AEs (n = 18, 58.1%), followed by asymptomatic rising CK (n = 8, 25.8%), and myositis (n = 5, 16.1%). Musculoskeletal AEs associated with SDIs were found in 16 patients (51.6%). Of these, we found 50.0%, 31.3% and 18.8% had asymptomatic rising CK, myalgia, and myositis, respectively. Precipitant drugs associated with myopathy were amlodipine (2 possible cases), colchicine (3 possible cases), gemfibrozil (8 possible and 1 probable cases), nevirapine (1 possible case), and nicotinic acid (1 possible case).

Potential SDIs have been found in the Thai population with a prevalence that is consistent with previous reports. Half of the musculoskeletal AEs identified were associated with SDIs. Systematic screening and management with interdisciplinary co-operation are needed to increase awareness of potential SDIs.

Colchicine: old and new

Although colchicine has been a focus of research, debate, and controversy for thousands of years, the US Food and Drug Administration just approved it in 2009. Over the past decade, advances in the knowledge of colchicine pharmacology, drug safety, and mechanisms of action have led to changes in colchicine dosing and to potential new uses for this very old drug. In this review, we discuss the pharmacologic properties of colchicine and summarize what is currently known about its mechanisms of action. We then discuss and update the use of colchicine in a variety of illnesses, including rheumatic and, most recently, cardiovascular diseases.

Statin adverse effects: patients' experiences and laboratory monitoring of muscle and liver injuries

BACKGROUND

Although statins have great benefit on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases with limited adverse effects (AEs), little is known about patients' contribution of AE reports in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES

To explore patients' experiences of statin AEs and related laboratory monitoring in clinical practice.

SETTING

Outpatient clinics of two University hospitals in northeast Thailand.

METHODS

Generic symptom checklist questionnaires for self-reporting AEs were distributed to patients prescribed simvastatin, atorvastatin, or rosuvastatin at outpatient clinics. Clinical information was obtained from medical records. Reported symptoms were assessed for causality considering previously known statin AEs, concomitant diseases and drugs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Potential statin AEs reported by patients and monitoring of laboratory parameters related to musculoskeletal and liver disorders.

RESULTS

Of the total 718 valid responses, 76.0 % of patients reported at least one symptom, most of which (69.0 %) were probable/possible statin AEs. Musculoskeletal and liver-related symptoms were reported by 283 (39.4 %) and 134 patients (18.7 %), respectively. Probable/possible AEs were categorized in 56.7 % of their musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal symptoms. Majority of patients had at least one laboratory test on initiation of (64.8 %) and during statin treatment (61.8 %). Patients taking atorvastatin or rosuvastatin, and patients with history of chronic renal diseases were more likely to have creatine kinase (CK) monitored on initiation of and during statin treatment. Additionally, taking drugs which could potentially increase muscle injury (OR 1.929, P < 0.01) and self-reporting of musculoskeletal symptoms (OR 1.805, P < 0.01) were associated with CK monitoring during statin treatment. Reporters of musculoskeletal symptoms also had significantly higher mean CK level than those not reporting any musculoskeletal symptoms (207.35 ± 155.40 vs. 143.95 ± 83.07 U/L, respectively; P = 0.037). Patient reporting of liver AEs was not related to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level and monitoring, however, prior history of liver disorders was significantly associated with monitoring of ALT on initiation of and during statin treatment (OR 5.745 and OR 23.063, respectively; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Many patients experienced at least one possible adverse effects on a statin. The findings suggest that laboratory monitoring is relatively selective in relation to risks and patient-reported adverse symptoms.

Characterization of hypersensitivity reactions reported among Andrographis paniculata users in Thailand using Health Product Vigilance Center (HPVC) database

Background

Andrographis paniculata (andrographis) is one of the herbal products that are widely used for various indications. Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported among subjects receiving Andrographis paniculata in Thailand. Understanding of characteristics of patients, adverse events, and clinical outcomes is essential for ensuring population safety.

This study aimed to describe the characteristics of hypersensitivity reactions reported in patients receiving andrographis containing products in Thailand using national pharmacovigilance database.

Methods

Thai Vigibase data from February 2001 to December 2012 involving andrographis products were used. This database includes the reports submitted through the spontaneous reporting system and intensive monitoring programmes. The database contained patient characteristic, adverse events associated with andrographis products, and details on seriousness, causality, and clinical outcomes. Case reports were included for final analysis if they met the inclusion criteria; 1) reports with andrographis being the only suspected cause, 2) reports with terms consistent with the constellation of hypersensitivity reactions, and 3) reports with terms considered critical terms according to WHO criteria. Descriptive statistics were used.

Results

A total of 248 case reports of andrographis-associated adverse events were identified. Only 106 case reports specified andrographis herbal product as the only suspected drug and reported at least one term consistent with constellation of hypersensitivity reactions.

Most case reports (89%) came from spontaneous reporting system with no previously documented history of drug allergy (88%). Of these, 18 case reports were classified as serious with 16 cases requiring hospitalization. For final assessment, the case reports with terms consistent with constellation of hypersensitivity reactions and critical terms were included. Thirteen case reports met such criteria including anaphylactic shock (n = 5), anaphylactic reaction (n = 4) and angioedema (n = 4). Time to development of symptoms ranged from 5 minutes to 1 day. The doses of andrographis used varied from 352 mg to 1,750 mg. Causality assessment of 13 case reports were certain (n = 3), probable (n = 8) and possible (n = 2).

Conclusions

Our findings suggested that hypersensitivity reactions have been reported among patients receiving Andrographis paniculata. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this potential risk. Further investigation of the causal relationship is needed; meanwhile including hypersensitivity reactions for andrographis product labeling should be considered.