Reversibility of Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events after Switching to Darunavir/Cobicistat or Doravirine in Men on INSTI-Based Regimen.

Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) are associated with neuropsychiatric adverse events (NPAEs). The aim of this study was to evaluate improvements in NPAEs after switching an INSTI-based regimen to darunavir/cobicistat (DRV/c) or doravirine (DOR). Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the reversibility of NPAEs via the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A and D) in patients who started antiretroviral therapy with dolutegravir (DTG) or bictegravir (BIC). These patients were switched to DRV/c or DOR. Scales were compared at the moment of the switch and 12 weeks later. Results: We included 1153 treatment-naïve men, 676 (58.7%) with BIC and 477 (41.3%) with DTG. A total of 32 (2.7%) experienced NPAEs that led to discontinuation. Insomnia was found in 20 patients; depression via PHQ-9 in 21 patients, via HADS-D in 5 patients, and anxiety via HADS-A in 12 patients. All of them were evaluated by a psychiatrist at the moment of the symptoms; 7 (21.8%) started psychotropic drugs. After 12 weeks of follow-up, PHQ-9, ISI, HADS-A, and HADS-D decreased, with a p-value ≤ 0.05. Conclusions: NPAEs seem to improve after switching to a DRV/c- or DOR-based regimen after the first 4 and 12 weeks.

Nonbioequivalent prescription drug interchangeability, concerns on patient safety and drug market dynamics in Brazil.

Since the enforcement of Generics Act (1999), three types of pharmaceutically equivalent products are marketed in Brazil: innovative reference (REF), "similar" (S) and generic (G) drugs. The S (brand name) and G (generic name) borrow from REF (brand name) clinical data on safety and efficacy and dosage regimen. G (but not S) is bioequivalent to and interchangeable with REF. Starting in 2003, Brazilian Sanitary Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has required data on relative bioavailability tests (with REF) to approve (or renew registration of) S drugs. In 2014, Anvisa extended interchangeability notion to similar drugs with a "comparable" bioavailability, i.e., an "equivalent" similar drug (EQ). Drugs for chronic diseases and "critical dose medicines" are listed among the EQ drugs approved. Interchangeability of nonbioequivalent medicines raises deep concerns regarding therapeutic failures and adverse events. Concerns are even more worrisome if patients switch from one drug to another during an ongoing treatment for illnesses such as epilepsy, congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes and/or substitutable drugs have a narrow therapeutic index.

Nonbioequivalent prescription drug interchangeability, concerns on patient safety and drug market dynamics in Brazil / Intercambialidade de medicamentos não-bioequivalentes, segurança do paciente e dinâmica do mercado farmacêutico no Brasil

Abstract Since the enforcement of Generics Act (1999), three types of pharmaceutically equivalent products are marketed in Brazil: innovative reference (REF), "similar" (S) and generic (G) drugs. The S (brand name) and G (generic name) borrow from REF (brand name) clinical data on safety and efficacy and dosage regimen. G (but not S) is bioequivalent to and interchangeable with REF. Starting in 2003, Brazilian Sanitary Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has required data on relative bioavailability tests (with REF) to approve (or renew registration of) S drugs. In 2014, Anvisa extended interchangeability notion to similar drugs with a "comparable" bioavailability, i.e., an "equivalent" similar drug (EQ). Drugs for chronic diseases and "critical dose medicines" are listed among the EQ drugs approved. Interchangeability of nonbioequivalent medicines raises deep concerns regarding therapeutic failures and adverse events. Concerns are even more worrisome if patients switch from one drug to another during an ongoing treatment for illnesses such as epilepsy, congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes and/or substitutable drugs have a narrow therapeutic index.

Resumo A partir da vigência da lei dos genéricos (1999), três tipos de produtos farmaceuticamente equivalentes são comercializados no Brasil: o medicamento inovador de refência (REF), o produto "similar" (S), e o genérico (G). O similar (nome de fantasia) e o genérico (nome genérico) tomam de empréstimo do REF (nome de fantasia) os dados clínicos de segurança e eficácia e a posologia. G (mas não S) é bioequivalente ao, e intercambiável com REF. Desde 2003, a Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa) exige dados de testes de biodisponibilidade relativa para registrar (ou renovar o registro de) medicamentos S. Em 2014, a Anvisa estendeu o conceito de intercambialidade aos medicamentos similares com biodisponibilidade "comparável", i.e., um medicamento similar "equivalente" (EQ). Medicamentos para doenças crônicas e "fármacos de dose crítica" estão listados entre os produtos EQ aprovados. A intercambialidade de medicamentos não-bioequivalentes suscita grande preocupação quanto a falhas terapêuticas e eventos adversos. Os receios são ainda maiores se os pacientes trocam um medicamento por outro durante o tratamento de doenças como epilepsia, insuficiência cardíaca, hipertensão, diabetes e/ou os produtos farmacêuticos substituídos tem um índice terapêutico estreito.

[Levothyroxine and the problem of interchangeability of drugs with narrow therapeutic index]. / Levotiroxina e o problema da permutabilidade de drogas de estreito intervalo terapêutico.

The exchange of a prescribed drug by other similar, by generic products and even by custom products has become common practice in our country, often ignoring basic tenets of bioequivalence, interchangeability, stability and characteristics of the pharmaceutical compounds. In the case of drugs of narrow therapeutic index, such as levothyroxine, these problems are intensified, putting the effectiveness of treatment and patient health at serious risk. We review the pertinent legislation, emphasizing the characteristics of levothyroxine and adverse effects that limit the interchangeability of the compound.

Levotiroxina e o problema da permutabilidade de drogas de estreito intervalo terapêutico / Levothyroxine and the problem of interchangeability of drugs with narrow therapeutic index

Tem se tornado prática comum em nosso país a troca de medicamentos prescritos por outros similares, por produtos genéricos e até mesmo por produtos manipulados, muitas vezes ignorando-se preceitos básicos de bioequivalência, permutabilidade, estabilidade e características específicas do composto farmacêutico. No caso de drogas de índice terapêutico estreito, como a levotiroxina, esses problemas se agravam colocando em sério risco a eficácia do tratamento e a saúde do paciente. Revemos a legislação pertinente ressaltando as características da levotiroxina e os efeitos adversos que limitam a permutabilidade do composto.

The exchange of a prescribed drug by other similar, by generic products and even by custom products has become common practice in our country, often ignoring basic tenets of bioequivalence, interchangeability, stability and characteristics of the pharmaceutical compounds. In the case of drugs of narrow therapeutic index, such as levothyroxine, these problems are intensified, putting the effectiveness of treatment and patient health at serious risk. We review the pertinent legislation, emphasizing the characteristics of levothyroxine and adverse effects that limit the interchangeability of the compound.