Evaluation of the effectiveness of risk minimization measures for trimetazidine: A cross sectional joint PASS survey among physicians in selected European countries.

PURPOSE: In 2012, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) restricted prescription of trimetazidine (TMZ) to "add-on therapy for patients with stable angina pectoris who are inadequately controlled by or intolerant to first-line therapies." TMZ was no longer indicated for ophthalmology and otolaryngology. Risk minimization measure (RMM) was communicated to physicians. The survey presented here evaluated effectiveness of the RMM and assessed physicians knowledge and compliance with RMM. It also analyzed actual prescribing pattern of TMZ. METHODS: A cross sectional, web-based survey was developed and conducted among prescribing physicians of TMZ across 12 European countries. Physicians' samples were weighted to account for the actual proportion of specialties within and across countries. RESULTS: Using weighted samples, data from 1123 physicians and 8332 prescriptions were analyzed. Most (74.0%) of the physicians assumed stable angina pectoris to be an indication for TMZ. Three quarter of (75.7%) of these physicians were aware of the approved indication. Vertigo (62.1%), tinnitus (42.5%), declined visual acuity, and visual field disturbances (45.1%) were also presumed to be approved indications for TMZ, and physicians actually prescribed for these indications. Only 29.8% of the physicians remembered receiving RMM communications regarding TMZ. Most (90.5%) of the physicians expressed their interest to know and comply with the safety communications. Of all prescriptions, 33.9% were issued for add-on therapy for patients with stable angina pectoris. CONCLUSIONS: RMM for TMZ prescription have been moderately effective. Improvement in physician's compliance with safety information of TMZ is necessary for patient's safety.

Single Ascending Dose Study to Assess Pharmacokinetic Linearity, Safety, and Tolerability of Trimetazidine - Modified Release in Healthy Human Subjects.

AIM: This study assessed the linearity of pharmacokinetics (PK) of trimetazidine (TMZ) modified-release tablets (indicated in adults as an add-on therapy for stable angina pectoris) and measured its renal elimination, safety, and tolerability in healthy subjects. METHODS: This was a randomized, open-label, single-ascending dose study in healthy subjects. Subjects were administered with a single dose of 35, 70, or 105 mg TMZ-modified release tablets (six subjects each). Pharmacokinetic evaluations and safety analysis were performed before the first dose and till 48 h post-first dose. RESULTS: Following administration of 35, 70, and 105 mg TMZ-modified release; the Cmax (mean±SD) was 79.32 (±23.08), 153.17 (±23.08), and 199.67 (±23.08) ng/mL, the Tmax was 5.42 (±0.49), 4.51 (±1.27), and 4.57 (±0.96) h, t1/2 was 7.75 (±1.62), 6.40 (±1.23), and 6.50 (±1.18) h, AUC(0-inf) was 1116.89 (±378.35), 1838.39 (±284.50), and 2504.84 (±348.35) ng.h/mL, CLR was 13.70 (±2.24), 14.80 (±5.91), and 19.58 (±6.24) L·h-1 and CL/F was 33.69 (±8.51), 38.85 (±6.15), and 42.74 (±7.10) L·h-1, respectively. Slope estimates for AUC(0-inf), AUC(0-t), and Cmax were less than 1. Corresponding 95% CI of the slope for the AUC parameters excluded 1, indicating that the deviation from dose-proportionality was statistically significant. Corresponding 95% CI of the slope for Cmax included 1, indicating that the less than dose-proportional increase in Cmax was not statistically significant. No significant adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Substantial deviation from a dose-proportional increase in AUC(0-inf) and AUC(0-t) suggested a non-linear PK for TMZ-modified release. Single dose of TMZ-modified release was well tolerated and safe.