Impact of green tea intake on the pharmacokinetics of celiprolol in healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of green tea intake on the pharmacokinetics of the ß-blocker celiprolol. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In an open-label crossover study, 3 healthy subjects were given water or a green tea beverage daily for 3 days. On day 4, each subject received a single oral dose of 200 mg celiprolol with water or green tea. Serum and urinary concentrations of celiprolol were measured for up to 24 hours. RESULTS: Green tea intake decreased the area under the serum concentration-time curve and urinary excretion of celiprolol by 98.6 and 98.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Green tea intake might have a negative impact on the clinical effectiveness of celiprolol.

Development of initial loading procedure for teicoplanin in critically ill patients with severe infections.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is now endemic in many hospitals. Infection with MRSA is more frequent in the intensive care unit (ICU) than in general wards. Therefore, appropriate treatments for MRSA infections will lead to good outcomes in the ICU. Teicoplanin is an anti-MRSA agent. Recently, it was recommended at a new target trough concentration of 15-30 µg/mL. However, the initial loading procedure for teicoplanin to allow it to reach the target concentration promptly remains uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the appropriate initial loading procedure for teicoplanin in critically ill patients with severe infections. We performed a retrospective study in patients given teicoplanin in the ICU in order to determine the initial loading procedure to promptly reach the target trough concentration. We then evaluated the trough concentration on the third day after commencement of teicoplanin therapy. The mean loading dose and trough concentration were 11.5±1.0 mg/kg and 18.9±5.9 µg/mL, respectively. A correlation (r=0.45, p=0.046) was shown between teicoplanin loading dose and trough concentration. The correlation equation was trough concentration=2.563·loading dose -10.672. In the cases of 11.0 and 15.0 mg/kg for the loading dose, respectively, trough concentrations were 17.5 and 27.8 µg/mL. We suggested that an initial loading dose of 11-15 mg/kg every 12 h for 3 doses should be administered to promptly achieve the target trough concentration of 15-30 µg/mL on the third day after commencement of teicoplanin therapy in the ICU.

Reduction in the incidence of MRSA with use of alcohol-based hand rub solutions and gloves.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is highly contagious. It is spread by direct contact with MRSA-infected people or objects. Healthcare workers' hands are the most common vehicle for the transmission of healthcare-associated pathogens from patient to patient and within the healthcare environment. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between the incidence of MRSA among Staphylococcus aureus recovered from clinical culture and the use of alcohol-based hand rub solutions or gloves and antimicrobial use density (AUD). All data were examined every 6 months between January 2005 and June 2008. The increasing use of alcohol-based hand rub solutions was correlated with a decreasing incidence of recovery of MRSA from clinical cultures (r(2) = 0.58). A statistically significant (P < 0.05) correlation (r(2) = 0.68) was observed between glove use and the incidence of MRSA. On the other hand, we did not find any correlation between the AUD of each antibiotic group and the incidence of MRSA. Thus, we suggest that it is important to use not only alcohol-based hand rubs, but also gloves, because MRSA is transmitted from patient to patient by the hands of healthcare workers.

Pharmacokinetics of ampicillin-sulbactam and the renal function-based optimization of dosing regimens for prophylaxis in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.

UNLABELLED: Surgical site infections are a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality in cardiovascular surgery. Proper antibiotic prophylaxis can reduce the rate of such infections, but the concentration of antibiotic must be maintained at an adequate level throughout the operation. This study aimed to use renal function to determine the most appropriate timing for intraoperative repeated dosing of ampicillin-sulbactam, a commonly used prophylactic antibiotic, to maintain adequate concentrations throughout the course of surgery. The mean volume of distribution, elimination rate constant, elimination half-life, and total clearance of ampicillin were 13.2 l, 0.652 h⁻¹, 1.32 h, and 8.45 l/h, respectively. A statistically significant (P < 0.0001) correlation (r = 0.771) was observed between the total clearance of ampicillin and creatinine clearance of the patients. Plasma concentrations of ampicillin were simulated with the pharmacokinetic parameters obtained. We developed a nomogram for adjusting the dosing interval according to renal function and predicted ampicillin trough concentrations. We revealed the best dosage and dosing interval for cardiovascular surgery by analyzing the perioperative pharmacokinetics of ampicillin-sulbactam administered prophylactically. We suggest that the dosage and dosing interval for ampicillin-sulbactam should be adjusted to optimize treatment efficacy and safety, on the basis of the MIC90 of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) in each institution. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000007356.

An initial dosing method for teicoplanin based on the area under the serum concentration time curve required for MRSA eradication.

Teicoplanin is a glycopeptide antibacterial agent that has a long serum half-life and therefore takes time to achieve steady-state conditions. An appropriate initial dosing is needed for teicoplanin to promptly reach an effective serum trough concentration. However, little information is available on tailoring the initial dosing for patients with various characteristics. The objective of this study was to develop a nomogram for determining teicoplanin initial dose to promptly reach an effective trough concentration (≥ 13 µg/mL). A logistic regression analysis was performed to test whether the area under the concentration time curve (AUC) is a significant predictor of microbiological response (persistence 0; eradication 1). The study included 24 adult patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections [minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the isolates was <2 µg/mL). Each AUC was estimated using individual dose, creatinine clearance (CL(cr)), and body weight data. The target value, which gives about a 0.9 microbiological eradication probability, was 750 µg h/mL for AUC from zero to 24 h (AUC(0-24 h)). Using published population pharmacokinetic parameters, the dose required to achieve the AUC(0-24 h) target was calculated as dose (mg) = 750 × (0.00498 × CL(cr) (mL/min) + 0.00426 × body weight (kg). For various combinations of CL(cr) and body weight, we checked the calculated doses using a therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)-supporting software and developed a nomogram. The nomogram would be useful for initial dose adjustment to promptly reach an effective serum trough concentration and avoid adverse events of teicoplanin.

Determination of teicoplanin trough concentration target and appropriate total dose during the first 3 days: a retrospective study in patients with MRSA infections.

An initial loading procedure has been recommended to enable teicoplanin to promptly reach an effective serum concentration for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of teicoplanin to determine the therapeutic target for the teicoplanin trough concentration and an appropriate dosing method during the first 3 days. The mean trough concentrations were 13.2 mg/L for patients with eradication of MRSA. Moreover, logistic regression analysis showed that the teicoplanin trough concentration was 13 mg/L to achieve MRSA eradication with a probability of 89.0%. The rates of achieving >or=13 mg/L in or=36 mg/kg (total dose during the first 3 days) groups were 9.1, 48.4 and 87.5%, respectively. These results suggest that the administration of >or=36 mg/kg during the first 3 days is appropriate to promptly obtain a trough concentration target of >or=13 mg/L for the initial treatment of MRSA infections.

Hypertension management in diabetic patients: prescribing trends from 1999 to 2005 in three Japanese university hospitals.

PURPOSE: In hypertensive patients with diabetes, antihypertensive therapy is important in reducing the risk of macro- and microvascular complications. In contrast to the guidelines issued by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in and after 2002, the guidelines issued by the Japanese Society of Hypertension (JSH) in 2000 and 2004 maintained the traditional view that beta-blockers and thiazides should be rated as second-line drugs. However, both sets of guidelines recommended angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) as first-line agents for such patients. METHODS: We examined the use of antihypertensives in hypertensive patients with and without diabetes using the prescription data for 1999, 2002 and 2005 from three Japanese university hospitals. RESULTS: When compared with 1999, the proportion of patients with and without diabetes using ARBs was dramatically increased in 2005 from 1.5 to 55% and from 1.5 to 40%, while that of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors decreased from 52 to 32% and 35 to 23%, respectively. A relatively stable proportion of patients (around 10% with and without diabetes) used beta-blockers and around 60% of patients with and without diabetes used calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and very few (<5%) used thiazides. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid increase in use of ARBs and under-use of thiazides may be explained by the fee schedule in the Japanese health insurance system. The paucity of large-scale clinical trials may also hinder evaluation of the traditional view of the role of beta-blockers and thiazides in treatment of Japanese patients with diabetes.

The detection of influenza virus at the community pharmacy to improve the management of local residents with influenza or influenza-like disease.

BACKGROUND: As of 2014, community pharmacies in Japan are approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to measure lipid panel, HbA1c, glucose, ALT, AST and γ-GTP, but not to screen for influenza virus. We provided influenza virus screening tests at a community pharmacy to triage people with symptoms suggestive of influenza. Participants were given appropriate advice on how to prevent the spread of and safeguard against influenza. We subsequently evaluated the effects of community pharmacy-based influenza virus screening and prevention measures. METHODS: Local residents with symptoms suggestive of influenza participated in this study. Influenza virus screening tests using nasal samples were provided to the pharmacy, and we assessed samples for the presence of influenza virus. The study consisted of a preliminary interview, informed consent, and screening test on Day 1, and mail-in survey on Day 14. RESULTS: A total 52 local residents participated in the study. The number of participants and influenza virus positive results followed the same trend as the influenza epidemic in the study area. Influenza virus was found in 28.8% of samples. There was no significant difference between the appearance ratios of subjective symptoms among influenza-positive and influenza-negative groups. The percentages of participants who were first screened at the pharmacy, and those who were first screened at a clinic and then tested again at the pharmacy, were 71.2% (37/52) and 28.8% (15/52), respectively. In the latter group, 14 of 15 were negative by screening at the clinic, and one was diagnosed with influenza without testing. Subsequently, 46.8% (7/15) of participants tested positive for influenza by pharmacy-based screening. According to the mail-in survey, all influenza-positive (100%, 7/7) and 35.3% (6/17) of influenza-negative participants visited the clinic after being tested at the community pharmacy; test results between the community pharmacy and clinic were consistent. A total 64.7% (11/17) of symptomatic participants who tested negative recovered spontaneously at home. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of influenza virus screening followed by provision of appropriate advice for both influenza-positive and influenza-negative participants at the community pharmacy showed a significant effect on improving the health of the local community.

Predictive Factors for Efficacy and Safety of Prophylactic Theophylline for Extubation in Infants with Apnea of Prematurity.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate predictive factors involved in efficacy and safety in Japanese infants who received theophylline therapy to prevent apnea of prematurity (AOP) after weaning from mechanical ventilation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of infants who were administered intravenous aminophylline (theophylline ethylenediamine) for AOP at the neonatal intensive care unit, Kagoshima University Hospital, Japan, between January 2009 and June 2013. RESULTS: A total of 100 infants were evaluated as two separate groups in terms of efficacy and safety of theophylline. Sixty-seven (67.0%) infants had effective theophylline therapy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gestational age at birth was significant, with an odds ratio of 0.59 (p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the cut-off value was 31.1 weeks old for predicting the efficacy of theophylline (specificity, 66.7%; sensitivity, 86.6%; p < 0.001; area under the curve, 0.750; 95% confidence interval, 0.45-0.74). Adverse reactions were identified in 21 (21.0%) infants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the number of days of theophylline administration from birth was associated with an increased risk of adverse reactions after theophylline administration (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Physicians need to be aware of the possibility that theophylline fails to produce therapeutic effects for extubation in infants aged less than 31.1 weeks old, and adverse reactions can easily develop when theophylline is administered soon after birth.

A prospective stratified case-cohort study on statins and multiple adverse events in Japan.

PURPOSE: To assess the association between statins and diverse adverse events in Japanese population. METHODS: New users of statin who started statin after 6-month period of non-use were identified in 68 hospitals between January 2008 and July 2010. In addition to the random sample subcohort, we selected additional subcohort members to make the stratified sample subcohort have at least one patient in all subgroups stratified by each combination of statin and hospital. By abstraction from medical records, detailed information was obtained for all potential cases and pre-selected subcohort members. The event review committee consisting of 3 specialists judged whether possible cases met the definition of one of the adverse events of interest, and for adjudicated cases the committee further judged whether statin was a certain, probable or possible cause of the occurrence of the event. Adjusted for covariates including age, gender, status of "switcher", use of high daily dose and comorbidities at baseline, hazard ratio (HR) was estimated by the Cox proportional hazards model with Barlow's weighting method. Data were also analyzed by the method proposed by Breslow in 2009. RESULTS: A total of 6,877 new users of a statin were identified (median age: 66 years; males: 52%). The hazard ratios of increase in serum creatinine for atorvastatin and fluvastatin have wide confidence intervals, but both of the point estimates were around 2.5. Estimates of hazard ratios by the method of Barlow (1999) were similar to those by the method of Breslow (2009). CONCLUSIONS: Use of statin was not associated with a significant increased risk for renal, liver and muscle events. However, the hazard ratio of increase in serum creatinine tended to be high with atorvastatin and fluvastatin to require further studies.

Safety analysis of liposomal amphotericin B in adult patients: anaemia, thrombocytopenia, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and hypokalaemia.

Liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB), which was developed to reduce side effects, has been shown to have a better safety profile than both the deoxycholate and lipid complex forms of amphotericin B; however, the frequency of major side effects is still unclear. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess retrospectively the frequency of L-AmB-induced anaemia, thrombocytopenia, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and hypokalaemia as well as the relationship between daily dose of L-AmB and these side effects. A low red blood cell (RBC) count (post-/pre-treatment) and anaemia were observed in 7 and 10 of 21 adult patients, respectively. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 11 of 19 adult patients. Doses of L-AmB that are estimated to cause side effects of a low RBC count, anaemia and thrombocytopenia with 50% probability are 4.0, 3.3 and 3.0mg/kg/day, respectively. Nephrotoxicity was observed in 6 of 22 patients. Variations of total bilirubin, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase used as indices of hepatotoxicity were observed in 6, 7, 8 and 8 of 22 patients, respectively. Hypokalaemia was observed in 4 of 9 patients; however, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and hypokalaemia were not caused in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, the present analyses showed that L-AmB dose-dependently induced anaemia and thrombocytopenia in adult patients. It is important to pay attention to causing anaemia and thrombocytopenia when patients are receiving L-AmB at doses of >3.3mg/kg/day and >3.0mg/kg/day, respectively.

Higher linezolid exposure and higher frequency of thrombocytopenia in patients with renal dysfunction.

The major adverse event associated with linezolid treatment is reversible myelosuppression, mostly thrombocytopenia. Recent studies have reported that the incidence of linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia was higher in patients with renal failure than in patients with normal renal function, although the underlying mechanisms of this toxicity are still unknown. The present study thus aimed to investigate the relationship between renal function and linezolid exposure as well as the effects of drug exposure on thrombocytopenia. A statistically significant (P<0.01) strong correlation (r=0.933) was observed between linezolid clearance and creatinine clearance. A negative correlation (r=-0.567) was also shown between linezolid clearance and blood urea nitrogen, although the correlation was not statistically significant. In thrombocytopenic patients, the trough concentration was 14.4-35.6 mg/L and the area under the plasma linezolid concentration-time curve for 24h (AUC(24h)) was 513.1-994.6 mg h/L; in non-thrombocytopenic patients, drug exposure was relatively low (6.9 mg/L and 7.2mg/L for trough concentration and 294.3 mg h/L and 323.6 mg h/L for AUC(24h)). These results provide a pharmacokinetic explanation for the mechanism of the adverse event that renal dysfunction increased linezolid trough concentration and AUC and that higher drug exposure induced thrombocytopenia.

Correlation between voriconazole trough plasma concentration and hepatotoxicity in patients with different CYP2C19 genotypes.

Voriconazole metabolism is mostly mediated via the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 isozyme. The non-wild (mutant) type of CYP2C19 is generally found in 60-70% of Asian populations. Because the voriconazole trough plasma concentration has been reported to correlate with hepatotoxicity, this study investigated the effect of CYP2C19 polymorphism on the relationship between voriconazole trough concentrations and liver function abnormalities in 29 Japanese patients with fungal infections (CYP2C19 wild-type, n=10; non-wild-type, n=19). Hepatotoxicity, defined as liver enzyme abnormality according to the National Cancer Institute criteria, was observed in 10 (34.5%) of 29 patients with a trough concentration > or = 3.9 mg/L. Logistic regression analysis suggested that the therapeutic range for the voriconazole trough concentration should be 2-4 mg/L. Non-linear pharmacokinetic analysis suggested that voriconazole therapy should be initiated with a dose of 7.2-8.9 mg/kg/day for CYP2C19 wild-type and 4.4-6.5mg/kg/day for the non-wild-type in Japanese patients. These recommended initial dosages and subsequent dose adjustment for the target concentration range by therapeutic drug monitoring should avoid adverse events and thus enable continued effective voriconazole therapy for Japanese patients with mycoses.

Correlation between meropenem and doripenem use density and the incidence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Optimal use of carbapenems is an important issue in the prevention of resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this study, we investigated the correlation between antimicrobial use density (AUD) of carbapenems and imipenem/cilastatin (IPM/CS) or meropenem (MEPM) susceptibility of P. aeruginosa strains. The AUD of five carbapenems [IPM/CS, panipenem/betamipron, biapenem, MEPM and doripenem (DRPM)] was examined every 6 months between 2006 and 2008. The AUD was calculated using the defined daily doses methodology developed by the World Health Organisation. A minimum inhibitory concentration of IPM/CS or MEPM of < or =4 mg/L was considered to be sensitive. There was a significant negative correlation between MEPM susceptibility and the total AUD of MEPM and DRPM [r=-0.823, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.035 to -0.980; P=0.044]. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between MEPM susceptibility and IPM/CS susceptibility (r=0.839, 95% CI 0.084 to 0.981; P=0.037). Cross-resistance was therefore investigated and only 5.6% of MEPM-insensitive strains were susceptible to IPM/CS, although 43.3% of IPM/CS-insensitive strains were susceptible to MEPM. These results suggest that curtailing the use of MEPM and DRPM may curb the emergence not only of MEPM-resistant strains but also IPM/CS-resistant strains.