Proactive monitoring of drug-drug interactions between direct oral anticoagulants and small-molecule inhibitors in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Small-molecule inhibitors (SMIs) have revolutionised the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, SMI-induced drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with frequently co-administered direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), increase thromboembolic and bleeding risks. This study investigated and proactively managed the consequences of DOAC-SMI DDIs. METHODS: This prospective, observational study enrolled patients with NSCLC concomitantly using a DOAC and SMI. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with DOAC plasma trough (Ctrough) and peak (Cpeak) concentrations outside expected ranges. Secondary outcomes included DOAC treatment modifications, incidence of bleeding and thromboembolic events and feasibility evaluation of pharmacokinetically guided DOAC dosing. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were analysed. Thirty-nine percent (13/33) had DOAC Ctrough and/or Cpeak were outside the expected ranges in 39% (13/33). In 71% (5/7) of patients with DOAC concentrations quantified before and during concurrent SMI use, DOAC Ctrough and/or Cpeak increased or decreased >50% upon SMI initiation. In all patients in whom treatment modifications were deemed necessary, DOAC concentrations were adjusted to within the expected ranges. CONCLUSION: Proactive monitoring showed that a substantial proportion of patients had DOAC concentrations outside the expected ranges. DOAC concentrations were successfully normalised after treatment modifications. These results highlight the importance of proactive monitoring of DOAC-SMI DDIs to improve treatment in patients with NSCLC.

Venous Thromboembolism in Children: The Rivaroxaban Experience.

The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the pediatric population has increased more than 10-fold in the last 20 years, as a consequence of the advancement of resuscitation and surgical techniques and the global increase in life expectancy of children suffering from chronic pathologies. Monitoring anticoagulant therapy to achieve outcomes within the target range in childhood VTE, parenteral administration of medications, and frequent blood tests in children are often cumbersome. Availability of safe and effective oral agents with pediatric data to support use would be of clear benefit. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model was developed to estimate the appropriate dosing schedule for rivaroxaban in children. This incorporated growth/maturation and variability in anthropometrics (e.g., body height, weight, and body mass index), anatomy (e.g., organ weight), physiology (e.g., blood flow rates), metabolism and excretion. Rivaroxaban use in pediatric population underwent a complete investigational program, consisting mainly of one phase I pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics trial, three phase II trials, one phase III trial. The phase III trial enrolled 500 patients from birth to <18 years and documented the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban regimens at dose equivalent to the adult 20 mg dose for the prevention of fatal or symptomatic nonfatal recurrent VTE and major bleeding versus heparin or vitamin K antagonists. Results were similar to those in rivaroxaban studies in adults. The efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in children reported in the EINSTEIN JUNIOR trial provide further support to previous trials in adults (EINSTEIN Program), which demonstrate a favorable profile for the use of rivaroxaban for the management of VTE in challenging patient populations. Other clinical evidence contributing to the use of rivaroxaban among different risk groups in pediatric VTE population confirms the consistency with principal trial. Our review aims to describe the rationale for using rivaroxaban oral suspension in clinical practice and to summarize its multiple indications in each vascular bed (e.g., cerebral venous thrombosis, symptomatic or asymptomatic central venous catheter-associated thrombosis), etiology, and patients setting.

Apixaban anti-Xa levels in clinical practice: A case report.

Apixaban is a widely used direct oral anticoagulant that is recommended over warfarin therapy for many clinical indications. In patients with atrial fibrillation, dose reductions are recommended for patients with advanced age (≥80 years), low weight (≤60 kg) or elevated serum creatinine (≥1.5 mg/dL), but there is no routine laboratory monitoring necessary for long term-use. Furthermore, apixaban dose reductions due to renal dysfunction are not recommended when treating acute venous thromboembolism. Apixaban-calibrated anti-Xa assays are readily available at some medical centres, and they may be of clinical utility in certain circumstances such as in patients with renal insufficiency, medication adherence assessment, periprocedural planning, extremes in body weight and advanced age. Here, we describe the case of an elderly patient with chronic kidney disease taking apixaban for acute pulmonary embolism. The patient had an unanticipated prolonged apixaban half-life, with detectable apixaban-calibrated anti-Xa levels for >10 days after the last administered dose, which delayed a necessary surgical intervention by >1 week. This case is an example of appropriately using apixaban-calibrated anti-Xa levels to guide therapeutic decision making in perioperative planning.

Enoxaparin thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized obese pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant used for pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis in pediatrics. Enoxaparin pharmacokinetics can be altered in the setting of obesity. Optimal enoxaparin dosing for thromboprophylaxis in children with obesity remains unclear. PROCEDURE: A retrospective review was conducted of pediatric patients who weighed ≥60 kg with BMI ≥ 95th percentile, received enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis, and had at least one appropriately drawn anti-factor Xa (anti-Xa) from 2013 to 2022. Anti-Xa levels were reviewed for patients initially treated with enoxaparin 30 mg every 12 h. The average daily enoxaparin dose required to achieve an anti-Xa of 0.2-0.4 unit/mL, which was stratified by BMI percentile and weight, was calculated. RESULTS: Of 116 patients (median age 15.8 years) included for analysis, 106 patients were initially treated with enoxaparin 30 mg every 12 h. Anti-Xa levels were <0.2 unit/mL in 53% of patients with BMI > 99th percentile and 54% of patients >100 kg. Ninety-one patients had at least one anti-Xa 0.2-0.4 unit/mL with an average daily enoxaparin dosing of 66 mg. When stratified by severity of obesity, higher doses were required to attain an anti-Xa 0.2-0.4 unit/mL in patients with BMI > 99th percentile compared with those with 95th-99th percentile (67.8 ± 15.7 vs. 62 ± 5.6 mg/day, p = .01). Patients > 100 kg required significantly higher dose than those ≤100 kg (69.1 ± 15.5 vs 61.2 ± 7.3 mg/day, p = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Increased initial dosing and/or anti-Xa level monitoring should be considered in adolescents with severe obesity receiving enoxaparin thromboprophylaxis.

Apixaban plasma concentrations in patients with obesity.

PURPOSE: Routine therapeutic drug monitoring of apixaban is currently not recommended but may however be warranted in some situations and for some patient groups to provide better and safer treatment. Due to limited data on apixaban concentrations in different subpopulations, it is still unclear which group of patients could possibly gain from monitoring. The purpose of this study was to examine apixaban exposure in patients with obesity compared with normal-weight patients. METHODS: Forty patients with obesity (mean BMI 39.4 kg/m2) and 40 controls with normal weight (mean BMI 23.4 kg/m2), treated with apixaban 5 mg twice daily were included. The patients were matched for age, sex, and renal function. Trough and peak apixaban concentrations were measured with LC‒MS/MS methodology. RESULTS: The median trough concentrations in patients with obesity (58.7, range 10.7-200.7 ng/ml) were slightly higher than those in patients with normal weight (52.0, range 31.0-150.9 ng/ml) (p < 0.05). Notably, the variability in trough concentration was considerably higher in patients with obesity. Peak concentrations were similar in both groups, with a median of 124.5 ng/ml (range 82.0-277.5) and 113.5 ng/ml (range 75.5-334.6) in patients with obesity and normal weight, respectively. CONCLUSION: Apixaban exposure did not vary substantially between obese and normal weight matched controls, implying that general dose adjustments are not required. However, vast interindividual variability was observed in patients with obesity, suggesting that measuring the concentrations could be valuable for specific patients. Further research is needed to identify which specific patients may benefit from this approach.

Pharmacokinetics of apixaban in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PAP-UP).

OBJECTIVE: The impact of pancreaticoduodenectomy on absorption of drugs in the duodenum remains largely unknown. We aim to characterize the pharmacokinetics of apixaban in patients who had previously undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single 10-mg dose of apixaban was administered to 4 volunteers who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at least 6 months prior. The maximum plasma apixaban concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration time-curve (AUC0-24, AUC0-inf) were compared against healthy historical control subjects (N = 12). Geometric mean ratios (GMR) with 90% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for determination of comparative bioequivalence. RESULTS: In pancreaticoduodenectomy patients, AUC0-24 and AUC0-inf were 1,861 and 2,080 ng×h/mL, respectively. The GMRs of AUC0-24 and AUC0-inf between study subjects and healthy controls were 1.27 (90% CI 0.88 - 1.83) and 1.18 (90% CI 0.82 - 1.72). The mean Cmax of apixaban was 201 ng/mL (SD 15.6) occurring at a median tmax of 3.25 hours (range 2.5 - 4 hours). The GMR of Cmax between study subjects and healthy controls was 1.12 (90% CI 0.77 - 1.63). CONCLUSION: The pharmacokinetic characteristics of apixaban in subjects who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy are not significantly different from those of healthy controls. Though the sample size of this study is small, results suggest that no change to apixaban dose regimen is needed in patients who have had a pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Edoxaban pharmacokinetics during in vitro continuous renal replacement therapy.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the clearance of edoxaban during modeled in vitro continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), assess protein binding and circuit adsorption, and provide initial dosing recommendations. METHODS: Edoxaban was added to the CRRT circuit and serial pre-filter bovine blood samples were collected along with post-filter blood and effluent samples. All experiments were performed in duplicate using continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) and hemodialysis (CVVHD) modes, with varying filter types, flow rates, and point of CVVH replacement fluid dilution. Concentrations of edoxaban and urea were quantified via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Plasma pharmacokinetic parameters for edoxaban were estimated via noncompartmental analysis. Two and three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) models were built to assess the effects of mode, filter type, flow rate, and point of dilution on CLCRRT. Linear regression was utilized to provide dosing estimations across CRRT effluent flow rates from 0.5 to 5 L/h. Optimal edoxaban doses were suggested using CLCRRT and population non-renal clearance (CLNR) to estimate total clearance and match the systemic AUC associated with efficacy in the treatment of venous thromboembolism. RESULTS: Edoxaban clearance from the CRRT circuit occurred primarily via hemofilter adsorption to the HF1400 and M150 filters at 74% and 65%, respectively, while mean percent protein binding was 41%. Multivariate analyses confirmed the lack of influence of CRRT mode, filter type, and point of dilution on the CLCRRT of edoxaban allowing dosing recommendations to be made based on effluent flow rate. Edoxaban doses of 30-45 mg once daily were estimated to achieve target the AUC threshold for flow rates from 0.5 to 5 L/h. CONCLUSION: For CRRT flow rates most employed in clinical practice, an edoxaban dose of 45 mg once daily is predicted to achieve target systemic exposure thresholds for venous thromboembolism treatment. The safety and efficacy of this proposed dosing warrants further investigation in clinical studies.

Bleeding Events Associated with Rivaroxaban Therapy in Naive Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Longitudinal Study from a Genetic Perspective with INR Follow-Up.

Background and Objectives: Rivaroxaban is a direct-acting anticoagulant used to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Rivaroxaban is a substrate for P-glycoprotein, which is encoded by the ABCB1 gene. Rivaroxaban is also metabolized by the CYP3A5 gene. Therefore, the current study is carried out to study the effects of polymorphisms in the ABCB1 and CYP3A5 genes, which may affect the plasma levels of rivaroxaban, with subsequent clinical outcomes (bleeding events) associated with the therapy. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 66 naive patients with atrial fibrillation treated with rivaroxaban. Blood samples of rivaroxaban were taken at 3 h and after 1 month following the administration of the drug to measure plasma levels. The blood level of rivaroxaban was measured with an HPLC-UV detector. Sanger sequencing was used to find polymorphisms in the targeted genes. Coagulation parameters were measured at 3 h and after 1 month of administration of rivaroxaban. Frequencies of bleeding events were recorded throughout the one-month course of drug therapy. Results: The heterozygous and homozygous mutant genotypes of ABCB1 (rs2032582, rs1045642, rs1128503, and rs4148738) and CYP3A5 (rs776746) showed lower plasma concentrations as compared to the wild-type genotype. ABCB1 (rs2032582, rs1045642, rs1128503, and rs4148738) and CYP3A5 (rs776746) gene polymorphisms had a statistically significant impact on the plasma concentration of rivaroxaban among the heterozygous and homozygous mutant genotypes compared to the wild-type genotype. The heterozygous variant of ABCB1 and homozygous variant of CYP3A5 suffered more events of bleeding. Conclusions: It was concluded that ABCB1 (rs2032582, rs1045642, rs1128503, and rs4148738) and CYP3A5 (rs776746) gene polymorphisms had a significant impact on the plasma levels of rivaroxaban in patients treated for atrial fibrillation on day three as well as after one month of the therapy. The lowest plasma levels were observed in patients with a homozygous variant of ABCB1 (rs2032582, rs1045642, or rs4148738) along with the CYP3A5*1/*3 allele. The heterozygous variant of ABCB1 SNPs and homozygous variant of CYP3A5 SNPs suffered more events of bleeding.

Effects of dalteparin on anti-Xa activities cannot be predicted in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Critically ill COVID-19 patients are at high risk of thromboembolic events despite routine-dosed low-molecular-weight heparin thromboprophylaxis. However, in recent randomized trials increased-intensity thromboprophylaxis seemed futile and possibly even harmful. In this explorative pharmacokinetic (PK) study we measured anti-Xa activities on frequent timepoints in 15 critically ill COVID-19 patients receiving dalteparin and performed PK analysis by nonlinear mixed-effect modelling. A linear one-compartment model with first-order kinetics provided a good fit. However, wide interindividual variation in dalteparin absorption (variance 78%) and clearance (variance 34%) was observed, unexplained by routine clinical covariates. Using the final PK model for Monte Carlo simulations, we predicted increased-intensity dalteparin to result in anti-Xa activities well over prophylactic targets (0.2-0.4 IU/mL) in the majority of patients. Therapeutic-intensity dalteparin results in supratherapeutic anti-Xa levels (target 0.6-1.0 IU/mL) in 19% of patients and subtherapeutic levels in 22%. Therefore, anti-Xa measurements should guide high-intensity dalteparin in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Identifying the Dominant Contribution of Human Cytochrome P450 2J2 to the Metabolism of Rivaroxaban, an Oral Anticoagulant.

PURPOSE: Rivaroxaban, an oral anticoagulant, undergoes the metabolism mediated by human cytochrome P450 (CYP). The present study is to quantitatively analyze and compare the contributions of multiple CYPs in the metabolism of rivaroxaban to provide new information for medication safety. METHODS: The metabolic stability of rivaroxaban in the presence of human liver microsomes (HLMs) and recombinant CYPs was systematically evaluated to estimate the participation of various CYP isoforms. Furthermore, the catalytic efficiency of CYP isoforms was compared via metabolic kinetic studies of rivaroxaban with recombinant CYP isoenzymes, as well as via CYP-specific inhibitory studies. Additionally, docking simulations were used to illustrate molecular interactions. RESULTS: Multiple CYP isoforms were involved in the hydroxylation of rivaroxaban, with decreasing catalytic rates as follows: CYP2J2 > 3A4 > 2D6 > 4F3 > 1A1 > 3A5 > 3A7 > 2A6 > 2E1 > 2C9 > 2C19. Among the CYPs, 2J2, 3A4, 2D6, and 4F3 were the four major isoforms responsible for rivaroxaban metabolism. Notably, the intrinsic clearance of rivaroxaban catalyzed by CYP2J2 was nearly 39-, 64-, and 100-fold that catalyzed by CYP3A4, 2D6, and 4F3, respectively. In addition, rivaroxaban hydroxylation was inhibited by 41.1% in the presence of the CYP2J2-specific inhibitor danazol, which was comparable to the inhibition rate of 43.3% by the CYP3A-specific inhibitor ketoconazole in mixed HLMs. Furthermore, molecular simulations showed that rivaroxaban is principally bound to CYP2J2 by π-alkyl bonds, carbon-hydrogen bonds, and alkyl interactions. CONCLUSION: CYP2J2 dominated the hydroxylation of rivaroxaban, which may provide new insight into clinical drug interactions involving rivaroxaban.

Population pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics of fondaparinux in dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease patients undergoing chronic renal replacement therapy.

PURPOSE: Data on the anti-Xa efficacy of fondaparinux in dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (DD-CKD) patients are scarce. This study characterizes the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of fondaparinux in DD-CKD patients undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT), to assess dosing strategies. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was conducted using data on anti-Xa activity (112 samples) from 12 (3 male and 9 female) DD-CKD patients (median (IQR) age 71 years (63-88), weight 73 kg (59-98.5)). Eleven patients underwent high-flux or low-flux hemodialysis (HD) and one patient underwent peritoneal dialysis. Three patients were also treated with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). A non-linear mixed effects analysis was performed using NONMEM 7.3.0. RESULTS: The lab-specific slope of the relationship between fondaparinux concentration and anti-Xa levels was 1.18 IU/µg. In a one-compartment model, clearance (CL) and volume of distribution (Vd) were 0.05289 L/h and 5.55 L, respectively. High-flux HD was found to increase the CL of fondaparinux 2.26 times. TPE also considerably increased CL, but the fold-change could not be accurately estimated. Low-flux HD and peritoneal dialysis did not impact PK parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Model-based simulations showed that standard dosing (2.5 mg three times weekly before HD) results in a median anti-Xa activity of 0.55 IU/mL and 0.98 IU/mL, pre- and post-low-flux HD, respectively. In patients undergoing high-flux HD, these values are approximately 27% lower. Additional caution is warranted with TPE, as this treatment can reduce anti-Xa activity even further.

Apixaban in patients on haemodialysis: a single-dose pharmacokinetics study.

BACKGROUND: Apixaban, a direct oral anticoagulant inhibiting factor Xa, has been proven to reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation-related stroke and thromboembolism in patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency. Patients on renal replacement therapy, however, were excluded from randomized controlled trials. Therefore, uncertainty remains concerning benefits, dosing and timing of intake in haemodialysis population. METHODS: We conducted a Phase II pharmacokinetics study in which 24 patients on maintenance haemodialysis were given a single dose (2.5 mg or 5 mg) of apixaban, either 30 min before or immediately after dialysis on the mid-week dialysis day. RESULTS: Apixaban 5 mg resulted in higher area under the curve (AUC0-48) in comparison with 2.5 mg, although significance could only be reached for dosing pre-dialysis (2.5 mg versus 5 mg, P = 0.008). In line, peak concentrations (Cmax) after dosing pre-dialysis were significantly higher in the 5 mg than in the 2.5 mg groups (P = 0.02). In addition, dialysis resulted in significant reduction of drug exposure. AUC0-48 pre-dialysis were on average 48% (2.5 mg) and 26% (5 mg) lower than the AUC0-48 post-dialysis, in line with Cmax. As a result, a dose of 2.5 mg post-dialysis and a dose of 5 mg pre-dialysis resulted in similar AUC0-48. In contrast, significant differences were found between the 5 mg group post-dialysis and the 2.5 mg group pre-dialysis (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that exposure to apixaban in patients on maintenance haemodialysis is dependent not only on drug dose but also on timing of intake relative to the haemodialysis procedure.

Investigating Intestinal Transporter Involvement in Rivaroxaban Disposition through Examination of Changes in Absorption.

PURPOSE: The involvement of the intestinally expressed xenobiotic transporters P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP) have been implicated in rivaroxaban disposition based on in vitro studies, similar to what had previously been proposed for apixaban. We recently showed that these efflux transporters were not clinically relevant for apixaban disposition and examine here their relevance for this second Factor Xa inhibitor. METHODS: Using recently published methodologies to discern metabolic- from transporter- mediated drug interactions, a critical evaluation was undertaken of 9 rivaroxaban studies reporting 12 DDIs, one study of food effects and one study of hepatic function. RESULTS: Rationale examination of these clinical studies using basic pharmacokinetic theory finds little support for the clinical significance of intestinal efflux transporters in rivaroxaban disposition. Drug-drug interactions are most likely adequately predicted based on the level of CYP 3A metabolism. CONCLUSION: These analyses indicate that inhibition of efflux transporters appears to have negligible, clinically insignificant effects on the rivaroxaban absorption process, which is consistent with the concern that predictions based on in vitro measures may not translate to a clinically relevant interaction in vivo. We emphasize the need to evaluate gastric emptying, dissolution and other processes related to absorption when using MAT changes to indicate efflux transporter inhibition.

Antithrombotic Effects of Combined PAR (Protease-Activated Receptor)-4 Antagonism and Factor Xa Inhibition.

OBJECTIVE: PAR (protease-activated receptor)-4 antagonism has antiplatelet effects under conditions of high shear stress. We aimed to establish whether PAR4 antagonism had additive antithrombotic activity in the presence of factor Xa inhibition in an ex vivo model of acute arterial injury. Approach and Results: Fifteen healthy volunteers (29±6 years, 7 women) completed a phase zero double-blind randomized controlled crossover trial. Ex vivo platelet activation, platelet aggregation, and thrombus formation were measured following blood perfusion of low shear and high shear stress chambers. Upstream of the chambers, extracorporeal blood was admixed with (1) vehicle, (2) low-dose apixaban (20 ng/mL), (3) high-dose apixaban (80 ng/mL), (4) BMS-986141 (400 ng/mL), (5) BMS-968141 and low-dose apixaban, or (6) BMS-968141 and high-dose apixaban in 6 sequential studies performed in random order. Compared with vehicle, BMS-986141 demonstrated selective inhibition of PAR4-AP (agonist peptide)-stimulated platelet aggregation, platelet-monocyte aggregates, and P-selectin expression (P≤0.01 for all). Total thrombus area was reduced under both low shear and high shear stress conditions for all drug infusions (P<0.0001 for all versus vehicle). BMS-968141 reduced total (≤44.4%) and platelet-rich (≤39.3%) thrombus area, whereas apixaban reduced total (≤42.9%) and fibrin-rich (≤31.6%) thrombus area. Combination of BMS-986141 with apixaban caused a further modest reduction in total thrombus area (9.6%-12.4%), especially under conditions of high shear stress (P≤0.027). CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of factor Xa inhibition, PAR4 antagonism with BMS-986141 further reduces thrombus formation, especially under conditions of high shear stress. This suggests the potential for additive efficacy of combination PAR4 antagonism and factor Xa inhibition in the prevention of atherothrombotic events.

Direct Acting Oral Anticoagulants Following Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery.

ABSTRACT: Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) vary in bioavailability and sites of absorption in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Data on DOAC use after major GIT surgery are limited. The aim of this case series was to report the impact of surgical resection or bypass of the GIT on rivaroxaban and apixaban peak plasma concentrations. This was a case series of patients who received rivaroxaban or apixaban after GIT surgery, during the period of July 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020. Peak plasma concentrations of rivaroxaban and apixaban were assessed for the expected concentrations. Of the 27 assessed patients, 18 (66.7%) received rivaroxaban, and 9 (33.3%) received apixaban. After rivaroxaban therapy, 4 of 5 patients (80%) who underwent gastrectomy, and 3 of 3 patients (100%) who underwent duodenum and proximal jejunum exclusion had peak plasma concentrations of rivaroxaban lower than the effective range, whereas 11 of 11 patients (100%) who underwent distal bowel or ileostomy had peak rivaroxaban plasma within the effective range. After apixaban therapy, 5 of 6 patients (83.3%) who underwent total or partial gastrectomy achieved effective peak concentrations. All the patients who underwent proximal and distal bowel resection or bypass had peak concentrations of apixaban within the effective range. In conclusion, surgical resection or bypass of the upper GIT could affect DOAC absorption and subsequently peak plasma concentrations. This effect was more observed among rivaroxaban recipients. An injectable anticoagulant or vitamin K antagonist may be preferred if DOAC concentrations cannot be measured after GIT surgery.

Novel rivaroxaban-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/poloxamer nanoparticles: preparation, physicochemical characterization, in vitro evaluation of time-dependent anticoagulant activity and toxicological profile.

Rivaroxaban (RXB), an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor, presents innovative therapeutic profile. However, RXB has shown adverse effects, mainly due to pharmacokinetic limitations, highlighting the importance of developing more effective formulations. Therefore, this work aims at the preparation, physicochemical characterization and in vitro evaluation of time-dependent anticoagulant activity and toxicology profile of RXB-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/poloxamer nanoparticles (RXBNps). RXBNp were produced by nanoprecipitation method and physicochemical characteristics were evaluated. In vitro analysis of time-dependent anticoagulant activity was performed by prothrombin time test and toxicological profile was assessed by hemolysis and MTT reduction assays. The developed RXBNp present spherical morphology with average diameter of 205.5 ± 16.95 nm (PdI 0.096 ± 0.04), negative zeta potential (-26.28 ± 0.77 mV), entrapment efficiency of 91.35 ± 2.40%, yield of 41.81 ± 1.68% and 3.72 ± 0.07% of drug loading. Drug release was characterized by an initial fast release followed by a sustained release with 28.34 ± 2.82% of RXB available in 72 h. RXBNp showed an expressive time-dependent anticoagulant activity in human and rat blood plasma and non-toxic profile. Based on the results presented, it is possible to consider that RXBNp may be able to assist in the development of promising new therapies for treatment of thrombotic disorders.

Direct oral anticoagulant safety during breastfeeding: a narrative review.

PURPOSE: There are limited data regarding the safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) during breastfeeding. The aim of the present study is to investigate the extent of excretion of DOACs into human milk according to the available clinical and experimental studies. METHODS: On 16th January 2021, we systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science for all studies which investigated DOACs in breastfeeding without any time frame and language limitation. Search keywords were [breastfeeding, breast feeding, breastfed, lactation, milk secretion OR milk] AND [apixaban OR Eliquist OR rivaroxaban OR Xarelto OR edoxaban OR Savaysa OR dabigatran OR Pradaxa OR dabigatran etexilate OR dabigatran etexilate mesylate OR direct oral anticoagulant OR DOAC OR new oral anticoagulant OR NOAC]. Finally, we identified six articles which reported DOAC use during breastfeeding or lactation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: According to the available limited data, dabigatran has the least excretion in human breast milk. Rivaroxaban and dabigatran both have acceptable milk excretion cutoffs, whereas apixaban milk excretion is greater than the maximum allowed range. Further well-designed studies with larger sample sizes are required to generate consistent comparable data and clarify benefits and risks of each DOAC during breastfeeding.

Pharmacokinetics and dialytic clearance of apixaban during in vitro continuous renal replacement therapy.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the transmembrane clearance (CLTM) of apixaban during modeled in vitro continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), assess protein binding and circuit adsorption, and provide initial dosing recommendations. METHODS: Apixaban was added to the CRRT circuit and serial pre-filter bovine blood samples were collected along with post-filter blood and effluent samples. All experiments were performed in duplicate using continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) and hemodialysis (CVVHD) modes, with varying filter types, flow rates, and point of CVVH replacement fluid dilution. Concentrations of apixaban and urea were quantified via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Plasma pharmacokinetic parameters for apixaban were estimated via noncompartmental analysis. CLTM was calculated via the estimated area under the curve (AUC) and by the product of the sieving/saturation coefficient (SC/SA) and flow rate. Two and three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) models were built to assess the effects of mode, filter type, flow rate, and point of dilution on CLTM by each method. Optimal doses were suggested by matching the AUC observed in vitro to the systemic exposure demonstrated in Phase 2/3 studies of apixaban. Linear regression was utilized to provide dosing estimations for flow rates from 0.5-5 L/h. RESULTS: Mean adsorption to the HF1400 and M150 filters differed significantly at 38 and 13%, respectively, while mean (± standard deviation, SD) percent protein binding was 70.81 ± 0.01%. Effect of CVVH point of dilution did not differ across filter types, although CLTM was consistently significantly higher during CRRT with the HF1400 filter compared to the M150. The three-way ANOVA demonstrated improved fit when CLTM values calculated by AUC were used (adjusted R2 0.87 vs. 0.52), and therefore, these values were used to generate optimal dosing recommendations. Linear regression revealed significant effects of filter type and flow rate on CLTM by AUC, suggesting doses of 2.5-7.5 mg twice daily (BID) may be needed for flow rates ranging from 0.5-5 L/h, respectively. CONCLUSION: For CRRT flow rates most commonly employed in clinical practice, the standard labeled 5 mg BID dose of apixaban is predicted to achieve target systemic exposure thresholds. The safety and efficacy of these proposed dosing regimens warrants further investigation in clinical studies.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of a Depolymerized Glycosaminoglycan from Holothuria fuscopunctata, a Novel Anticoagulant Candidate, in Rats by Bioanalytical Methods.

dHG-5 (Mw 5.3 kD) is a depolymerized glycosaminoglycan from sea cucumber Holothuria fuscopunctata. As a selective inhibitor of intrinsic Xase (iXase), preclinical study showed it was a promising anticoagulant candidate without obvious bleeding risk. In this work, two bioanalytical methods based on the anti-iXase and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) prolongation activities were established and validated to determine dHG-5 concentrations in plasma and urine samples. After single subcutaneous administration of dHG-5 at 5, 9, and 16.2 mg/kg to rats, the time to peak concentration (Tmax) was at about 1 h, and the peak concentration (Cmax) was 2.70, 6.50, and 10.11 µg/mL, respectively. The plasma elimination half-life(T1/2ß) was also about 1 h and dHG-5 could be almost completely absorbed after s.c. administration. Additionally, the pharmacodynamics of dHG-5 was positively correlated with its pharmacokinetics, as determined by rat plasma APTT and anti-iXase method, respectively. dHG-5 was mainly excreted by urine as the unchanged parent drug and about 60% was excreted within 48 h. The results suggested that dHG-5 could be almost completely absorbed after subcutaneous injection and the pharmacokinetics of dHG-5 are predictable. Studying pharmacokinetics of dHG-5 could provide valuable information for future clinical studies.

Chitosan caged liposomes for improving oral bioavailability of rivaroxaban: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

In this study, chitosan (CS) caged classic liposomes (CLs) and flexible liposomes (FLs) were developed to enhance the oral bioavailability of rivaroxaban (RVX) in the fasted condition. The prepared formulations were subjected to physicochemical characterization included: FTIR, DSC, zeta potential, particle size, polydispersity index, entrapment efficiency, in vitro dissolution, and transmission electron microscope imaging. The selected formulation (RVX-TFL2) composed of PL S100/Tween 80 (85/15% w/w) and coated with CS solution in the strength of (0.2% w/v) had a particle size of 105.67 nm, a zeta potential of +5.67 mV and EE of 96.07%. Compared to RXV suspension, the pharmacokinetic parameters (C max, AUC0-24, and AUC0-∞) of RVX-TFL2 showed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in the fasted and fed test animals. Besides, RVX bioavailability with RVX-TFL2 was improved by 59.66% and 26.97% in the fed and fasted states, respectively, compared to RVX suspension in the fed state. The result highlighted the efficacy of the prepared liquid formulation comprising CS coated liposomes in improving the oral bioavailability of RVX regardless of the fed state. Moreover, the studied liquid formulation could be utilized in developing a liquid dosage form that might be useful as a pediatric formulation of RVX.