Drug-induced Sudden Death: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

The risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) can be increased with the use of drugs. However, it has been described heterogeneously in the literature.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to systematically review epidemiological studies dealing with drug-induced sudden death, to describe their methodologies and to summarize the results found.

METHODS

A scoping review has been carried out using Medline electronic database. The search was limited up to 2020. Epidemiological studies were included, and case-reports or case-series were excluded.

RESULTS

Out of 3,114 potential articles, 74 were included. Most studies originated from North America (40.5%) or Europe (39.2%). Case-control (47.3%) or cohort (40.5%) studies were the most common designs. The data for outcomes and exposure was retrieved mainly from administrative databases (37.8%) or medical charts/hospital discharge reports (32.4%) but most studies used several sources of information. A composite variable of sudden death or SCD mainly with ventricular arrhythmia was the most frequently used endpoint. Only 18.9% of the studies included autopsy results to confirm the death. Psychotropic drugs were the most frequently studied. An increased risk of different outcomes for typical antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants, domperidone, and antiepileptics is suggested.

CONCLUSION

The methodologies used were highly heterogeneous and the results were, in general, not conclusive. An improvement of the methodologies is needed to achieve a conclusion regarding the risk of SCD associated to drug use.

Predictors of discontinuation, efficacy, and safety of memantine treatment for Alzheimer's disease: meta-analysis and meta-regression of 18 randomized clinical trials involving 5004 patients

BACKGROUND

The risk-benefit relationship of memantine treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unclear. In addition, variability between the results of clinical trials has been observed. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk-benefit relationship of memantine treatment in patients with AD and to determine the predictor effect of patient, intervention, and study design related covariates.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trials was performed. Primary outcomes were all-cause discontinuation, discontinuation due to adverse events (AE) and efficacy on cognitive function. Odds ratio (OR) and standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Meta-regression was conducted to identify related covariates. Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias of included trials.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies involving 5004 patients were included. No differences between memantine and placebo were found for all-cause treatment discontinuation (OR=0.97 [0.82, 1.14]) and discontinuation due to AE (OR=1.18 [0.91, 1.53]). Memantine showed small improvement on cognitive function (SMD=0.15 [0.08, 0.22]). Baseline functional ability was positively associated with all-cause treatment discontinuation and discontinuation due to AE.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that memantine has a very small efficacy on AD symptomatology and its safety profile is similar to that of placebo. No evidence of treatment discontinuation improvement with memantine is found, indicating a dubious risk-benefit relationship. No intervention characteristic or subgroup of patients clearly shows a significantly better risk-benefit relationship.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION

CRD42014015696 .

Measuring anticholinergic exposure in patients with dementia: A comparative study of nine anticholinergic risk scales

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence and concordance of anticholinergic exposure according to 9 published scales, to quantify the relative weight of the drug subtypes included in each scale, and to identify clinical variables related to anticholinergic exposure.

METHODS

Observational and cross-sectional study using 5323 cases of dementia diagnosed in the 7 hospitals of the public health care system of the Health Region of Girona (Spain) between 2007 and 2014 and registered by the Registry of Dementias of Girona (ReDeGi). We used the Pharmacy database that includes all the drugs prescribed by specialist and primary care physicians and dispensed in pharmacies. We calculated the anticholinergic exposure using the scoring rules of each scale. Age, gender, place of residence, dementia subtype, Clinical Dementia Rating score, Mini-Mental Status Examination score, and Blessed Dementia Rating Score at the moment of dementia diagnose were retrieved from the ReDeGi.

RESULTS

Prevalence of the annual anticholinergic exposure ranged from 36.3% to 69.0% according to the different scales, the concordance among scales was poor to moderate, and the central nervous system drugs accounted the most for anticholinergic exposure. Being in a nursing home, having depressive symptoms, having a non-Alzheimer's dementia subtype, the number of drug treatments, and the severity of dementia were main determinants of anticholinergic exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a large difference in outcomes among the 9 anticholinergic risk scales. Clinicians and researchers should be aware of these differences when using these instruments in patients with dementia.

Discontinuation, Efficacy, and Safety of Cholinesterase Inhibitors for Alzheimer's Disease: a Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of 43 Randomized Clinical Trials Enrolling 16 106 Patients

Background

We investigated the effect of cholinesterase inhibitors on all-cause discontinuation, efficacy and safety, and the effects of study design-, intervention-, and patient-related covariates on the risk-benefit of cholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials comparing cholinesterase inhibitors and placebo was performed. The effect of covariates on study outcomes was analysed by means of meta-regression using a Bayesian framework.

Results

Forty-three randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials involving 16106 patients were included. All-cause discontinuation was higher with cholinesterase inhibitors (OR = 1.66), as was discontinuation due to adverse events (OR=1.75). Cholinesterase inhibitors improved cognitive function (standardized mean difference = 0.38), global symptomatology (standardized mean difference=0.28) and functional capacity (standardized mean difference=0.16) but not neuropsychiatric symptoms. Rivastigmine was associated with a poorer outcome on all-cause discontinuation (Diff OR = 1.66) and donepezil with a higher efficacy on global change (Diff standardized mean difference = 0.41). The proportion of patients with serious adverse events decreased with age (Diff OR = -0.09). Mortality was lower with cholinesterase inhibitors than with placebo (OR = 0.65).

Conclusion

While cholinesterase inhibitors show a poor risk-benefit relationship as indicated by mild symptom improvement and a higher than placebo all-cause discontinuation, a reduction of mortality was suggested. Intervention- and patient-related factors modify the effect of cholinesterase inhibitors in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Effectiveness and safety of drugs used for stroke prevention in a cohort of non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients from a primary care electronic database

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess effectiveness and safety of antithrombotics for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation in real-use conditions.

METHODS

We used a population-based retrospective cohort study. Information emerges from SIDIAP, a database containing anonymized information from electronic health records from 274 primary healthcare centres of the Catalan Health Institute, Catalonia (Spain), with a reference population of 5 835 000 people. Population includes all adults with a new diagnosis of non-valvular atrial fibrillation registered in SIDIAP from 2007 to 2012. The main outcome of antithrombotics' effectiveness was stroke. The main outcomes of safety were cerebral and gastrointestinal haemorrhages. We also estimated all-cause mortality. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to examine association between antithrombotic treatment and main outcomes.

RESULTS

We included 22 205 subjects with non-valvular atrial fibrillation; 40.8% initiated on vitamin K antagonists (VKA), 33.4% on antiplatelets and 25.8% untreated. We found stroke-risk reduction with VKA, hazard ratio (HR) 0.72 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.58-0.91), also seen in patients with CHADS₂  ≥ 2, HR 0.65 (95%CI, 0.49-0.86), and CHA₂ DS₂ -VASc ≥ 2, HR 0.66 (95%CI, 0.52-0.84). We observed a higher risk of digestive bleeding with antiplatelets, HR 1.32 (95%CI, 1.01-1.73). Both VKA and antiplatelets were associated with reduction of all-cause mortality risk; HR 0.55 (95%CI, 0.49-0.62) and HR 0.89 (95%CI, 0.80-0.97), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found a stroke-risk reduction associated with VKA and an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding associated with platelet-aggregation inhibitors in comparison with untreated patients. Both antithrombotic groups showed a reduction in all-cause mortality. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Psychostimulant drugs for cocaine dependence

BACKGROUND

Cocaine dependence is a severe disorder for which no medication has been approved. Like opioids for heroin dependence, replacement therapy with psychostimulants could be an effective therapy for treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of psychostimulants for cocaine abuse and dependence. Specific outcomes include sustained cocaine abstinence and retention in treatment. We also studied the influence of type of drug and comorbid disorders on psychostimulant efficacy.

SEARCH METHODS

This is an update of the review previously published in 2010. For this updated review, we searched the Cochrane Drugs and Alcohol Group Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO up to 15 February 2016. We handsearched references of obtained articles and consulted experts in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised parallel group controlled clinical trials comparing the efficacy of a psychostimulant drug versus placebo.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 26 studies involving 2366 participants. The included studies assessed nine drugs: bupropion, dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate, modafinil, mazindol, methamphetamine, mixed amphetamine salts and selegiline. We did not consider any study to be at low risk of bias for all domains included in the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool. Attrition bias was the most frequently suspected potential source of bias of the included studies. We found very low quality evidence that psychostimulants improved sustained cocaine abstinence (risk ratio (RR) 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05 to 1.77, P = 0.02), but they did not reduce cocaine use (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.16, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.33) among participants who continued to use it. Furthermore, we found moderate quality evidence that psychostimulants did not improve retention in treatment (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.06). The proportion of adverse event-induced dropouts and cardiovascular adverse event-induced dropouts was similar for psychostimulants and placebo (RD 0.00, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.01; RD 0.00, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.01, respectively). When we included the type of drug as a moderating variable, the proportion of patients achieving sustained cocaine abstinence was higher with bupropion and dexamphetamine than with placebo. Psychostimulants also appeared to increase the proportion of patients achieving sustained cocaine and heroin abstinence amongst methadone-maintained, dual heroin-cocaine addicts. Retention to treatment was low, though, so our results may be compromised by attrition bias. We found no evidence of publication bias.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review found mixed results. Psychostimulants improved cocaine abstinence compared to placebo in some analyses but did not improve treatment retention. Since treatment dropout was high, we cannot rule out the possibility that these results were influenced by attrition bias. Existing evidence does not clearly demonstrate the efficacy of any pharmacological treatment for cocaine dependence, but substitution treatment with psychostimulants appears promising and deserves further investigation.

Phlebotonics for venous insufficiency

BACKGROUND

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a common condition caused by valvular dysfunction with or without associated obstruction, usually in the lower limbs. It might result in considerable discomfort with symptoms such as pain, itchiness and tiredness in the legs. Patients with CVI may also experience swelling and ulcers. Phlebotonics are a class of drugs often used to treat CVI. This is an update of a review first published in 2005.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy and safety of phlebotonics administered both orally and topically for treatment of signs and symptoms of lower extremity CVI.

SEARCH METHODS

For this update, the Cochrane Vascular Trials Search Co-ordinator (TSC) searched the Specialised Register (August 2015), as well as the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2015, Issue 7). The reference lists of the articles retrieved by electronic searches were searched for additional citations. We also contacted pharmaceutical companies and searched the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform Search Portal for ongoing studies (last searched in August 2015).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of rutosides, hidrosmine, diosmine, calcium dobesilate, chromocarbe, Centella asiatica, disodium flavodate, french maritime pine bark extract, grape seed extract and aminaftone in patients with CVI at any stage of the disease.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed the quality of included RCTs. We estimated the effects of treatment by using risk ratios (RRs), mean differences (MDs) and standardised mean differences (SMDs), according to the outcome assessed. We calculated 95% confidence interval (CIs) and percentage of heterogeneity (I(2)). Additionally, we performed sensitivity analyses.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 66 RCTs of oral phlebotonics, but only 53 trials provided quantifiable data (involving 6013 participants; mean age 50 years) for the efficacy analysis: 28 for rutosides, 10 hidrosmine and diosmine, nine calcium dobesilate, two Centella asiatica, two aminaftone, two french maritime pine bark extract and one grape seed extract. No studies evaluating topical phlebotonics, chromocarbe, naftazone or disodium flavodate fulfilled the inclusion criteria.Moderate-quality evidence suggests that phlebotonics reduced oedema in the lower legs compared with placebo. Phlebotonics showed beneficial effects among participants including reduced oedema (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.78; I(2) = 20%; 1245 participants) and ankle circumference (MD -4.27 mm, 95% CI -5.61 to -2.93 mm; I(2) = 47%; 2010 participants). Low-quality evidence reveals no difference in the proportion of ulcers cured with phlebotonics compared with placebo (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.13; I(2) = 5%; 461 participants). In addition, phlebotonics showed greater efficacy for trophic disorders, cramps, restless legs, swelling and paraesthesia, when compared with placebo. We identified heterogeneity for the variables of pain, itching, heaviness, quality of life and global assessment by participants. For quality of life, it was not possible to pool the studies because heterogeneity was high. However, high-quality evidence suggests no differences in quality of life for calcium dobesilate compared with placebo (MD -0.60, 95% CI -2.15 to 0.95; I(2) = 40%; 617 participants), and low-quality evidence indicates that in the aminaftone group, quality of life was improved over that reported in the placebo group (MD -10.00, 95% CI -17.01 to - 2.99; 79 participants). Moderate-quality evidence shows that the phlebotonics group had greater risk of non-severe adverse events than the placebo group (RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.41; I(2) = 0; 3975 participants). Gastrointestinal disorders were the most frequently reported adverse events.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Moderate-quality evidence shows that phlebotonics may have beneficial effects on oedema and on some signs and symptoms related to CVI such as trophic disorders, cramps, restless legs, swelling and paraesthesia when compared with placebo but can produce more adverse effects. Phlebotonics showed no differences compared with placebo in ulcer healing. Additional high-quality RCTs focused on clinically important outcomes are needed to improve the evidence base.

Effectiveness, safety and costs of thromboembolic prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: phase I ESC-FA protocol study and baseline characteristics of a cohort from a primary care electronic database

PURPOSE

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia. Its management aims to reduce symptoms and to prevent complications through rate and rhythm control, management of concomitant cardiac diseases and prevention of related complications, mainly stroke. The main objective of Effectiveness, Safety and Costs in Atrial Fibrillation (ESC-FA) study is to analyse the drugs used for the management of the disease in real-use conditions, particularly the antithrombotic agents for stroke prevention. The aim of this work is to present the study protocol of phase I of the ESC-FA study and the baseline characteristics of newly diagnosed patients with atrial fibrillation in Catalonia, Spain.

PARTICIPANTS

The data source is System for the Improvement of Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP) database. The population included are all patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation diagnosis registered in the electronic health records during 2007-2012.

FINDINGS TO DATE

A total of 22,585 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation were included in the baseline description. Their mean age was 72.8 years and 51.6% were men. The most commonly prescribed antithrombotics were vitamin K antagonists (40.1% of patients) and platelet aggregation inhibitors (32.9%); 25.3% had not been prescribed antithrombotic treatment. Age, gender, comorbidities and co-medication at baseline were similar to those reported for previous studies.

FUTURE PLANS

The next phase in the ESC-FA study will involve assessing the effectiveness and safety of antithrombotic treatments, analysing stroke events and bleeding episodes' rates in our patients (rest of phase I), describing the current management of the disease and its costs in our setting, and assessing how the introduction of new oral anticoagulants changes the stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Pharmacological treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with co-morbid drug dependence

BACKGROUND

Drug dependence is frequent in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Nevertheless, the efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatments in this population are unclear.

METHODS

A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed. Randomised placebo-controlled clinical trials investigating the efficacy of pharmacological treatment in patients with co-occurring ADHD and substance use disorder (SUD) were included. ADHD symptom severity, drug abstinence and all-cause treatment discontinuation were the primary study endpoints. The effects of patient-, intervention- and study-related covariates over the primary outcomes were investigated by means of meta-regression.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were included, enrolling a total of 1,271 patients. A small to moderate reduction of ADHD symptoms was found. Meta-regression analysis identified the presence of a lead-in period as a covariate associated with reduced efficacy. Conversely, no beneficial effect was observed either on drug abstinence or treatment discontinuation. The efficacy on ADHD symptoms was smaller in studies with a lead-in period. A positive correlation between the efficacy for ADHD and that for SUD was found.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of pharmacological interventions for co-occurring ADHD and SUD has been little investigated. Mixed results were obtained: while pharmacological interventions improved ADHD symptoms, no beneficial effect on drug abstinence or on treatment discontinuation was noted. The strength of the recommendation of pharmacological treatment for co-occurring ADHD and SUD is therefore modest. The study was registered with the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO): CRD 4212003414.

Efficacy of psychostimulant drugs for amphetamine abuse or dependence

BACKGROUND

Amphetamine dependence is a public health problem with medical, psychiatric, cognitive, legal and socioeconomic consequences. To date, no pharmacological treatment has been approved for this disorder, and psychotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment. In recent years, psychostimulants have been investigated as a possible replacement therapy.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of psychostimulant medications for amphetamine abuse or dependence. The influences of type of drug, type of dependence, comorbid disorders, clinical trial risk of bias and publication of data were also studied.

SEARCH METHODS

Relevant trials were searched in the following sources: PubMed (January 1966 to 6 June 2012), EMBASE (January 1988 to 6 June 2012), CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library, Issue 5 of 12, May 2012), PsycINFO (January 1985 to 6 June 2012) and the Specialised Register of the Cochrane Drug and Alcohol Group (June 2012). We also searched the reference lists of retrieved trials, the list of studies citing the included trials and the main electronic registers of ongoing trials (ClinicalTrials.gov, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and EU Clinical Trials Register). Finally, we contacted investigators to request information about unpublished trials. Searches included non-English language literature.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trials investigating the efficacy or safety of psychostimulants for amphetamine dependence or abuse conducted in an outpatient setting.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration.

MAIN RESULTS

Eleven studies were included in the review (791 participants). Studied psychostimulants included dexamphetamine, bupropion, methylphenidate and modafinil. No significant differences were found between psychostimulants and placebo for any of the studied efficacy outcomes. Overall retention in studies was low (50.4%). Psychostimulants did not reduce amphetamine use (mean difference (MD) -0.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.85 to 0.33) or amphetamine craving (MD 0.07, 95% CI -0.44 to 0.59) and did not increase sustained abstinence (relative risk (RR) 1.12, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.49). The proportion of adverse events inducing dropout was similar for psychostimulants and placebo (risk difference (RD) 0.01, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.04). The main findings did not change in any subgroup analysis.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Results of this review do not support the use of psychostimulant medications at the tested doses as a replacement therapy for amphetamine abuse or dependence. Future research could change this conclusion, as the numbers of included studies and participants are limited and information on relevant outcomes, such as efficacy according to the severity of dependence or craving, is still missing.

Atomoxetine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the adulthood: a meta-analysis and meta-regression

PURPOSE

Atomoxetine is a non-stimulant drug that could be an alternative to methylphenidate, whose benefit : risk balance for the treatment of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has recently been shown to be unclear. This study aimed to compare all-cause discontinuation rate between atomoxetine and placebo in adults with ADHD. Secondarily, efficacy and safety were investigated.

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing atomoxetine with placebo in adults with ADHD were performed. All-cause treatment discontinuation was the primary endpoint. Efficacy in reducing ADHD symptoms and safety were the secondary endpoints. Odds ratio (OR) and the standardized mean difference (SMD) were calculated for dichotomous and continuous outcomes, respectively. Data were pooled using the fixed and random effects model. The influence of study design-related, intervention-related and patient-related co-variables over the primary endpoint was investigated by means of meta-regression. This study is registered with the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO): CRD 42012002042.

RESULTS

Twelve studies (3375 patients) were included. Treatment discontinuation was larger with atomoxetine than with placebo (OR = 1.39). No co-variable was found to modify the effect of atomoxetine over treatment discontinuation. Atomoxetine showed modest efficacy in reducing ADHD symptoms irrespective of the assessor: patient (SMD = -0.33); clinician (SMD = -0.40). The rate of adverse events-induced discontinuation was higher with atomoxetine than with placebo (OR = 2.57).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that atomoxetine has a poor benefit-risk balance for the treatment of adults with ADHD. The recommendation of atomoxetine use in this population is weak.

Trends in the pharmacological treatment of osteoporosis in Spain from 2000 to 2008

AIM

To analyze the time trends in anti-osteoporosis medications consumption in Spain between 2000 and 2008 and the influence on such consumption induced by the Information Sheets related to the safety of menopausal hormone therapy and strontium ranelate published by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS).

METHODS

Purchase data of anti-osteoporosis medications from 2000 to 2008 were obtained from the Spanish Ministry of Health. This information includes the pharmacy sales data of medicinal products reimbursed by the Spanish National Health Service. Anti-osteoporosis medications consumption data were expressed as defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day in women aged 50 or more.

RESULTS

During the study period, anti-osteoporosis medications consumption showed a continuous increase. The greatest increase was observed with bisphosphonates, particularly alendronate and risedronate in their weekly formulations. Strontium ranelate consumption was low but continuously increased and new information concerning its safety in 2007 had no effect on its consumption. The use of menopausal hormone therapy remained stable until 2003, and from then presented a continuous decrease until 2008. Raloxifene utilization increased from 2000 to 2004 and decreased thereafter. Calcitonin utilization decreased uninterruptedly and teriparatide was infrequently used.

CONCLUSION

This study reports a marked change in osteoporosis treatment in Spain, which includes an important increase in anti-osteoporosis medication use, particularly of bisphosphonates and a decrease in menopausal hormone therapy use secondary to the new information about their safety.

Cannabis use in patients with fibromyalgia: effect on symptoms relief and health-related quality of life

Background

The aim of this study was to describe the patterns of cannabis use and the associated benefits reported by patients with fibromyalgia (FM) who were consumers of this drug. In addition, the quality of life of FM patients who consumed cannabis was compared with FM subjects who were not cannabis users.

Methods

Information on medicinal cannabis use was recorded on a specific questionnaire as well as perceived benefits of cannabis on a range of symptoms using standard 100-mm visual analogue scales (VAS). Cannabis users and non-users completed the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36).

Results

Twenty-eight FM patients who were cannabis users and 28 non-users were included in the study. Demographics and clinical variables were similar in both groups. Cannabis users referred different duration of drug consumption; the route of administration was smoking (54%), oral (46%) and combined (43%). The amount and frequency of cannabis use were also different among patients. After 2 hours of cannabis use, VAS scores showed a statistically significant (p<0.001) reduction of pain and stiffness, enhancement of relaxation, and an increase in somnolence and feeling of well being. The mental health component summary score of the SF-36 was significantly higher (p<0.05) in cannabis users than in non-users. No significant differences were found in the other SF-36 domains, in the FIQ and the PSQI.

Conclusions

The use of cannabis was associated with beneficial effects on some FM symptoms. Further studies on the usefulness of cannabinoids in FM patients as well as cannabinoid system involvement in the pathophysiology of this condition are warranted.

Preliminary efficacy and safety of an oromucosal standardized cannabis extract in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

AIMS

Despite progress in anti-emetic treatment, many patients still suffer from chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). This is a pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial designed to evaluate the tolerability, preliminary efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of an acute dose titration of a whole-plant cannabis-based medicine (CBM) containing delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, taken in conjunction with standard therapies in the control of CINV.

METHODS

Patients suffering from CINV despite prophylaxis with standard anti-emetic treatment were randomized to CBM or placebo, during the 120 h post-chemotherapy period, added to standard anti-emetic treatment. Tolerability was measured as the number of withdrawals from the study during the titration period because of adverse events (AEs). The endpoint for the preliminary efficacy analysis was the proportion of patients showing complete or partial response.

RESULTS

Seven patients were randomized to CBM and nine to placebo. Only one patient in the CBM arm was withdrawn due to AEs. A higher proportion of patients in the CBM group experienced a complete response during the overall observation period [5/7 (71.4%) with CMB vs. 2/9 (22.2%) with placebo, the difference being 49.2% (95% CI 1%, 75%)], due to the delayed period. The incidence of AEs was higher in the CBM group (86% vs. 67%). No serious AEs were reported. The mean daily dose was 4.8 sprays in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Compared with placebo, CBM added to standard antiemetic therapy was well tolerated and provided better protection against delayed CINV. These results should be confirmed in a phase III clinical trial.

Efficacy of opiate maintenance therapy and adjunctive interventions for opioid dependence with comorbid cocaine use disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials

AIMS

To determine the efficacy of Opiate Maintenance Therapy (OMT) and adjunctive interventions for dual heroin and cocaine dependence by means of a meta-analysis.

METHOD

We searched for and retrieved randomized controlled clinical trials. We used RevMan 5.0 with random effects modeling for statistical analysis and for comparisons of relative risk, effect sizes, and confidence intervals. Subsequent moderator variables and sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven studies, which have enrolled 3,029 patients, have been included in this meta-analysis. High doses of OMT were more efficacious than lower ones in the achievement of sustained heroin abstinence (RR = 2.24 [1.54, 3.24], p < .0001) but had no effect on cocaine abstinence. At equivalent doses, methadone was more efficacious than buprenorphine on cocaine abstinence (RR = 1.63 [1.20, 2.22], p = .002) and also appeared to be superior on heroin abstinence (RR = 1.39 [1.00, 1.93], p = .05). Several pharmacological and psychological potentiation strategies have been investigated. An improvement on sustained cocaine abstinence was achieved with indirect dopaminergic agonists (RR = 1.44 [1.05, 1.98], p = .03) and with contingency management (CM) focusing on cocaine abstinence (RR = 3.11 [1.80, 5.35], p < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Dual opioid and cocaine dependence can be effectively treated with OMT in combination with adjunctive interventions. Higher OMT doses are preferable to lower ones and methadone to buprenorphine. OMT can be enhanced with indirect dopaminergic drugs and with CM focusing on cocaine abstinence.

Efficacy of psychostimulant drugs for cocaine dependence

BACKGROUND

Cocaine dependence is an increasingly prevalent disorder for which no medication is approved yet. Likewise opioid for heroin dependence, replacement therapy with psychostimulant could be efficacious for cocaine dependence.

OBJECTIVES

To ascertain the efficacy of psychostimulants for cocaine dependence on cocaine use, sustained cocaine abstinence and retention in treatment. The influence of type of drug, comorbid disorders and clinical trial reporting quality over psychostimulants efficacy has also been studied.

SEARCH STRATEGY

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, references of obtained articles and experts in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized parallel group controlled clinical trials comparing the efficacy of a psychostimulant against placebo have been included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors evaluated and extracted data. The Relative Risk (RR) was used to assess dichotomous outcomes except for adverse event (AE) induced dropouts for which the risk difference (RD) was preferred. The Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) was used to assess continuous outcomes. To determine the influence of moderating variables, a stratified analysis was conducted. Funnel plots were drawn to investigate the possibility of publication bias.

MAIN RESULTS

Sixteen studies have been included, which have enrolled 1,345 patients. Seven drugs with psychostimulant effect or metabolized to a psychostimulant have been investigated: bupropion, dexamphetamine, methylphenidate, modafinil, mazindol, methamphetamine and selegiline. Psychostimulants did not reduce cocaine use (SMD 0.11, 95%CI: -0.07 to 0.29), showed a statistical trend over improving sustained cocaine abstinence (RR 1.41, 95%CI: 0.98 to 2.02, p=0.07) and did not improve retention in treatment (RR 0.97, 95%CI: 0.89 to 1.05). The proportion of AE induced dropouts was similar for psychostimulants and placebo (RD 0.01, 95%CI: -0.02 to 0.03). When the type of drug was included as a moderating variable, it was shown that the proportion of patients achieving sustained cocaine abstinence was higher with bupropion and dextroamphetamine, and also with modafinil, at a statistical trend of significance, than with placebo. Nevertheless, no studied drug was efficacious on any of the remaining outcomes. Besides, psychostimulants appeared to increase the proportion of patients achieving sustained cocaine and heroin abstinence amongst methadone maintained dual heroin-cocaine addicts. The main findings did not seem to be influenced by clinical trial reporting quality. No evidence of publication bias was found.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review found mixed results, therefore evidence of the efficacy of psychostimulants for cocaine dependence is inconclusive. Nevertheless promising results exist for methadone maintained dual heroin-cocaine addicts and for some specific drugs such as dexamphetamine and bupropion.

Efficacy of central nervous system stimulant treatment for cocaine dependence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials

AIMS

To evaluate the efficacy of central nervous system (CNS) stimulants compared with placebo for the treatment of cocaine dependence.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out. Bibliographic databases were searched, reference lists of retrieved studies were hand-searched and the first authors of each study were contacted. All randomized controlled clinical trials (RCCT) comparing the efficacy of any CNS stimulant with placebo in cocaine-dependent patients were included. Quantitative data synthesis was performed for each single CNS stimulant and for all CNS stimulants.

RESULTS

Nine RCCT met the inclusion criteria. These RCCT included 640 patients and compared five CNS stimulants: mazindol, dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, modafinil and bupropion with placebo. No CNS stimulant improved study retention [RR = 0.94 (0.81-1.09)] or cocaine use [RR = 0.90 (0.79-1.02)]. An exploratory analysis using indirect estimations of cocaine use showed that the proportion of cocaine-positive urine screens was lower with dexamphetamine than with placebo [RR = 0.73 (0.60-0.90)] and that all CNS stimulants pooled together also suggested a significant decrease of cocaine use [RR = 0.87 (0.77-0.99)]. Data on craving could not be meta-analysed due to heterogeneity, but no RCCT found differences in cocaine craving between active drug and placebo except one, whose outcome favoured dexamphetamine. No serious adverse event (AE) was reported. Average of AE-induced dropouts was low and was greater for CNS stimulants than placebo: 4.4% versus 1.3% (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

The main outcomes of this study do not support the use of CNS stimulants for cocaine dependence. Nevertheless, secondary analyses provide some hopeful results that encourage further research with these drugs, mainly with dexamphetamine and modafinil.

Trends in lithium prescription in Spain from 1985 to 2003

Lithium use for bipolar disorder has decreased in the United States. We aimed at studying lithium prescription in Spain from 1985 to 2003. Prescription data, expressed in daily defined dose per 1,000 inhabitants per day, were obtained. Lithium prescription increased uninterruptedly from 0.21 to 0.79 DID. The psychiatric reform in Spain and a broader definition of BD during the last decades are possible explanations for this rise.

Phlebotonics for venous insufficiency

BACKGROUND

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a common condition caused by inadequate blood flow through the veins, usually in the lower limbs. It can result in considerable discomfort with symptoms such as pain, itchiness and tiredness in the legs. Sufferers may also experience swelling and ulcers. Phlebotonics are a class of drugs that are often used to treat CVI.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy of oral or topical phlebotonics.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group trials register (April 2005), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2005), MEDLINE (January 1966 to April 2005), EMBASE (January 1980 to April 2005) and reference lists of articles. We also contacted pharmaceutical companies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of rutosides, hidrosmine, diosmine, calcium dobesilate, chromocarbe, centella asiatica, disodium flavodate, french maritime pine bark extract, grape seed extract and aminaftone in CVI patients at any stage of the disease.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. The effects of treatment were estimated by relative risk (RR) or by standardised mean differences (SMD) by applying a random effects statistical model. Sensitivity analyses were also performed.

MAIN RESULTS

Fifty-nine RCTs of oral phlebotonics were included, but only 44 trials involving 4413 participants contained quantifiable data for the efficacy analysis: 23 of rutosides, ten of hidrosmine and diosmine, six of calcium dobesilate, two of centella asiatica, one of french maritime pine bark extract, one of aminaftone and one of grape seed extract. No studies evaluating topical phlebotonics, chromocarbe, naftazone or disodium flavodate fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Outcomes included oedema, venous ulcers, trophic disorders, subjective symptoms (pain, cramps, restless legs, itching, heaviness, swelling and paraesthesias), global assessment measures and side effects. The results of many variables were heterogeneous. Phlebotonics showed some global benefit (i.e. oedema reduction) (relative risk 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.65 to 0.81). The benefit for the remaining CVI signs and symptoms must be evaluated by phlebotonic group. There were no quantifiable data on quality of life.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is not enough evidence to globally support the efficacy of phlebotonics for chronic venous insufficiency. There is a suggestion of some efficacy of phlebotonics on oedema but this is of uncertain clinical relevance. Due to the limitations of current evidence, there is a need for further randomised, controlled clinical trials with greater attention paid to methodological quality.

Scientific drug information in newspapers: sensationalism and low quality. The example of therapeutic use of cannabinoids

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to analyse the quality of newspaper articles (NAs) concerning the therapeutic use of cannabis published in Spanish newspapers.

METHODS

A preliminary questionnaire of the Index of Scientific Quality was used [scores ranged from 0 (no misleading) to 14 (misinformation in each item)].

RESULTS

Of the 29 NAs analysed, 16 (55.2%) were scored as 4 or lower, and 6 (20.7%) scored 7 or higher. Up to 23 NAs (79.3%) did not manage the knowledge related to cannabinoids; 20 (69%) gave a sensationalist message; 11 (37.9%) were able to wrongly influence clinical decision taking; and 8 (27.6%) misled medical concepts.

CONCLUSION

The leading medical journals could play an especially relevant role while preparing their press releases if they specify study limitations and context.

Assessment of Risks Related to Medicine Dispensing by Nonprofessionals in Colombia: Clinical Case Simulations

BACKGROUND:

Appropriate dispensing is one of the steps for rational drug use, so it is generally advised that the dispenser should have relevant and updated knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess pharmacies and nonprofessional employees' (NEs) skills and knowledge, as well as their response to several specific case simulations in Bogotá, Colombia.

METHODS:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on a random sample of 371 pharmacies in Bogotá. Information from each pharmacy was obtained using 2 approaches: (1) direct interview to collect data on organizational aspects of the store and characteristics of NEs, and (2) simulation (both by direct interview and by telephone) to assess dispensing responses in 6 simulated clinical cases.

RESULTS:

More than half of the simulated clinical situations resulted in inappropriate dispensing (direct simulations 57%; telephone simulations 55%). The proportion of correct answers to theoretical questions regarding a specific therapeutic problem during interviews was higher than the response when a simulation presented that same case and a dispensing act was expected. The educational background of the NEs included in the study points to a specific problem: two-thirds of the individuals selling medicines had completed only secondary-level education and only 2% of the sample had a pharmacist as technical director. Continuing education courses were either directly organized by drug manufacturers (one-third of the courses attended by pharmacists) or sponsored by them (more than an additional one-third).

CONCLUSIONS:

NEs should be considered part of the therapeutic chain and, if appropriately updated or instructed, could play a very important role in the always difficult promotion of rational drug use. Public health institutions and universities should be more actively involved in the provision of independent, unbiased, and essential information on common therapeutic problems, safety concerns, and new drug prescription restrictions.

[Consumption and cost of antipsychotic drugs]

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, new atypical antipsychotic drugs have been marketed. This study aims to analyze the evolution of the consumption pattern and pharmaceutical cost of the antipsychotic drugs during the last years and the impact that the new atypical antipsychotic drugs have had.

METHODS

Based on the ECOM database of the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs of Spain, the sales data of the antipsychotic drugs in Catalonia during the 1990-2001 period have been chosen. The drugs have been classified into typical or classical and atypical. Consumption data have been expressed in daily defined dose (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants and per day of treatment (DID), and cost data in constant euros.

RESULTS

Antipsychotic consumption increased from 3.31 DID in 1990 to 6.04 DID in 2001. Typical drugs consumption decreased (from 100 % consumption in 1990 to 46 % in 2001) and that of the atypical ones increased (from 1% consumption in the year 1993 to 54% in the year 2001). A change in the use pattern of different drugs is verified. In the year 1990, the most consumed drugs were flupenthixol (0.86 DID) and haloperidol (0.67 DID), and in the year 2001 olanzapine (1.69 DID) and risperidone (1.30 DID). The drugs with a greater increase in consumption were olanzapine, which multiplied its consumption five fold from 1997 to 2001 and risperidone, which multiplied it by 20 from 1994 to 2001. During the study period, the cost increased 13 times, above all due to increase in cost of atypical antipsychotics (from less than 1 % of the total cost in 1993 to 92 % of the total cost in 2001). The DDD cost of antipsychotics increased (6.48 euros in 1990 and 20.31 euros in 2001). However, that of the typical antipsychotics decreased (6.48 euros in 1990 and 4.62 euros in 2001) and that of the atypical ones increased (2.06 euros in 1993 and 15.69 euros in 2001).

CONCLUSION

The marketing of the new atypical antipsychotic drugs has had an extraordinary impact on antipsychotic drug consumption and cost. The cost/effectiveness ratio of the new atypical antipsychotic drugs in the clinical practice should be evaluated to determine the economic resources aimed at costs of the different antipsychotic drugs.

Novedades sobre las potencialidades terapéuticas del Cannabis y el sistema cannabinoide

Growing basic research in recent years led to the discovery of the endocannabinoid system with a central role in neurobiology. New evidence suggests a therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in cancer chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting as well as in pain, spasticity and other symptoms in multiple sclerosis and movement disorders. Results of large randomized clinical trials of oral and sublingual Cannabis extracts will be known soon and there will be definitive answers to whether Cannabis has any therapeutic potential. Although the immediate future may lie in plant-based medicines, new targets for cannabinoid therapy focuses on the development of endocannabinoid degradation inhibitors which may offer site selectivity not afforded by cannabinoid receptor agonists.

Stimulating Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of voluntary reporting systems in pharmacovigilance highly depends on the number of assembled reports.

AIM

The aim of this study was to measure the effect of the periodical distribution of a bulletin on drug safety issues and of including yellow cards in prescription pads on the rate of adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The Catalan Centre of Pharmacovigilance began its activities at the end of 1982. Since 1985, an ADR bulletin (ADRB) has been mailed approximately quarterly to all physicians in its catchment area, with one yellow card enclosed. Additionally, from 1991-1994, a yellow card was included in the prescription pads of the Catalan Health Service. Time series methodology, with adjustment of the monthly number of reports to an Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model, was used to evaluate the effect of these two measures.

RESULTS

From January 1983-October 1995, 6240 spontaneous ADR reports were received, and 41 issues of the ADRB were sent out. Initially, the mean monthly spontaneous ADR reporting rate was 34.4 (SD = 14.1; n = 106 months). After the inclusion of yellow cards in prescription pads, the mean monthly spontaneous ADR reporting rate increased to 53.9 (SD = 14.4; n = 48 months). According to an ARIMA model, when a bulletin was send out (MONTH1), a mean increase of 9.4 reports was produced in that month, plus 12.3 additional reports in the following month (MONTH2), and 6.3 in the second month after sending the ADRB (MONTH3). A yellow card in the prescription pads elicits a monthly mean increase of 19.8 in the number of reports.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that ADRBs elicit a temporal increase of the ADR reporting rate. Including a yellow card in prescription pads was followed by an even greater increase in the reporting rate, possibly because it guarantees that yellow cards are available at the workplace.

Case-population studies in pharmacoepidemiology

The case-population approach aims at providing a risk estimate by comparing the incidence of the disease of interest among those exposed to the drug under study with the incidence among the non-exposed. For that purpose, the cases with the disease of interest have to be ascertained independently of the exposure status. Their rate and pattern of exposure have to be ascertained by interview with a structured questionnaire. Information on the patterns and the prevalence of drug consumption is needed in order to estimate the rate of exposure, and drug consumption statistics can be used to this end. In this paper, we review the main characteristics of studies using this approach or a similar one, and studies where series of cases exposed to the drug of interest were compared with drug consumption statistics. We looked at selected basic methodological requirements. Most of the studies reviewed suffer from incomplete case ascertainment, inaccurate definition of the disease of interest, incomplete information on exposures and other risk factors, and/or limited control of potential confounding, among other limitations. All the reviewed studies had several limitations regarding the estimation of the population at risk. The methods used in case-population studies should be clearly described, particularly with respect to the identification of the cases (numerator) and the estimation of the consumption prevalence (denominator). Case-population studies can give approximate risk estimates, but the method should be validated by comparing its results with those of case-control studies.

Agranulocytosis induced by pyrithyldione, a sedative hypnotic drug

OBJECTIVE

Pyrithyldione, a sedative-hypnotic drug with a poor clinical pharmacological development, was associated with anecdotal cases of agranulocytosis in the 1940s in the USA, in the 1960s and 1970s in the ex-Democratic Republic of Germany and in the 1980s in Japan. We describe the estimation of the risk of agranulocytosis associated with its use in Spain, which led to its withdrawal from the market.

METHODS

In collaboration with the haematology units of all the hospitals in a defined area (3.3-3.9 x 10(6) inhabitants), all cases of agranulocytosis meeting strict diagnostic criteria were identified. Each case - defined as an episode of agranulocytosis - was reviewed by a haematologist without knowledge of previous drug exposures. Cases and age-, gender- and hospital-matched controls were interviewed with a structured questionnaire about previous drug exposures. In addition, in order to estimate the risk of pyrithyldione-associated agranulocytosis through a case-population approach, its consumption among the cases was compared with its consumption among the general population.

RESULTS

After a follow-up of 66.5 x 10(6) person-years, 330 cases of agranulocytosis (230 community cases) were assembled. Reliable information on previous exposures was obtained for 204 cases. They were compared with 1314 controls. Eleven patients (14 cases, 6.9%) and zero controls had been exposed to pyrithyldione. The adjusted OR was 200.11 (CI 95% 22. 62-infinity). All patients were female; none had a fatal outcome; three exhibited positive rechallenge; and all had concomitantly taken other drugs. Although pyrithyldione was a prescription-only medicine, only 8% had been dispensed with medical prescriptions. Assuming the worst case, i.e. that all the exposed cases could be attributed to pyrithyldione, the incidence was 35.6 cases per 100, 000 patient-years (95% CI, 18.9-60.9), which gives a risk ratio estimate of 109.6 (57.5-191.5) if compared with the incidence of agranulocytosis among the non-exposed population [3.26 cases (CI 95% 2.83-3.71) per 10(6) inhabitants and per year].

DISCUSSION

Pyrithyldione was viewed by pharmacists as a mild hypnotic, and apparently this had conferred to this drug an unjustified image of safety. The National Commission of Pharmacovigilance recommended to the Ministry of Health its withdrawal from the market when eight cases of agranulocytosis had been identified. However, it took more than 2 years to withdraw it, and six additional cases occurred in the study area. This illustrates the need for quick regulatory action when pharmacoepidemiological data suggest an unfavourable benefit/risk ratio.

European network for the case-population surveillance of rare diseases (Euronet). A prospective feasibility study

OBJECTIVE

Euronet, a case-population surveillance scheme, aims to estimate the risk of certain rare conditions which are commonly iatrogenic, by comparing drug use amongst non-selective cases with overall drug use in the general population.

METHODS

The method is based on three provisos: (1) all incident cases (irrespective of suspected aetiology) should be ascertained and studied; (2) a full drug history should be obtained from cases by direct interview; and (3) drug-use data for the products of interest should be available for this population from which cases are chosen. The feasibility of this problem-oriented approach for the identification of new signals of adverse drug reactions and for risk estimation will be tested in relation to agranulocytosis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in four defined areas in Europe, totalling 19 x 10(6) inhabitants, with these latest two outcomes being studied in only three regions. The design, methods and main limitations of this case-population surveillance approach are described.

Spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A report from the Spanish System of Pharmacovigilance, including an early analysis of topical and enteric-coated formulations

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the third most commonly prescribed group of drugs in Spain. We present here the profile of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) attributed to them and reported to the Spanish System of Pharmacovigilance (SSPV) between 1983 and 1991, together with a preliminary analysis of topical, slow-release (SR) and enteric-coated (EC) preparations. Out of 18,348 reports of ADRs included in the SSPV database, 1609 (8.8%) implicated an NSAID. NSAIDs ranked second after antibiotics (15.1% of all reports) among the most commonly implicated drugs. Half of the patients were more than 55 years old, and 60% were women. Diclofenac (364 reports), piroxicam (282), indomethacin (197), naproxen (155), and ketoprofen (137) were the most commonly implicated NSAIDs in reports of ADRs. The most commonly reported ADRs were gastrointestinal (39%), cutaneous (20%), and those affecting the central and peripheral nervous system (9%). Seven reactions had a fatal outcome, and 138 were considered life threatening. Forty-nine reports included previously undescribed ADRs. There were 98 reports describing ADRs attributed to topical NSAIDs; 5 of these described 11 general reactions, such as duodenal ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, diarrhoea, dyspnoea, facial oedema, aggravation of bronchospasm, and angioedema. One hundred and sixty-eight reports referred to SR and EC preparations. The ratio of gastrointestinal to non-gastrointestinal reactions to SR-EC diclofenac was higher in the case of SR-EC diclofenac than in the case of plain diclofenac (P = 0.037); similarly, the ratio of CNS to non-CNS reactions to SR-EC indomethacin was also higher than the corresponding ratio with plain indomethacin (P = 0.002).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Cough caused by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. A series of cases collected by spontaneous notification of adverse reactions]

Cough is one of the possible untoward adverse drug effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. We describe the available information on 50 cough episodes attributable to captopril and 18 episodes attributable to enalapril reported to the Spanish Drug Surveillance System. Cough represented 37% and 39% of the reports of side effects of captopril and enalapril, respectively. There was a remarkable female predominance among the patients with cough. Cough developed at very low doses (15 mg of captopril and 5 mg of enalapril daily), although the patients on captopril who developed cough were receiving higher doses than those who presented other side effects. A high proportion of patients (29%) continued with the drug for more than six months after cough had developed, suggesting the need for a wider knowledge of this side effect.