OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in concurrent use of products containing terfenadine and contraindicated macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin) and imidazole antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole) following reports of serious drug-drug interactions and changes in product labeling. DESIGN: Retrospective review of computerized pharmacy claims. SETTING: A large health insurer in New England. PATIENTS: Health plan members with 1 or more paid pharmacy claims for products containing terfenadine between January 1990 and June 1994. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Among persons with paid claims for terfenadine in any given month, percentage with a prescription for any contraindicated drug that alternatively was dispensed on the same day as ("same-day dispensing") or had therapy days that overlapped those of ("overlapping use") a prescription for terfenadine. RESULTS: Concurrent use of terfenadine and contraindicated drugs declined over the study period. The rate of same-day dispensing declined by 84% from an average of 2.5 per 100 persons receiving terfenadine in 1990 to 0.4 per 100 persons during the first 6 months of 1994, while the rate of overlapping use declined by 57% (from 5.4 to 2.3 per 100 persons). Most cases involved erythromycin. CONCLUSIONS: Despite substantial declines following reports of serious drug-drug interactions and changes in product labeling, concurrent use of terfenadine and contraindicated macrolide antibiotics and imidazole antifungals continues to occur.
OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in concurrent use of products containing terfenadine and contraindicated macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin) and imidazole antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole) following reports of serious drug-drug interactions and changes in product labeling. DESIGN: Retrospective review of computerized pharmacy claims. SETTING: A large health insurer in New England. PATIENTS: Health plan members with 1 or more paid pharmacy claims for products containing terfenadine between January 1990 and June 1994. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Among persons with paid claims for terfenadine in any given month, percentage with a prescription for any contraindicated drug that alternatively was dispensed on the same day as ("same-day dispensing") or had therapy days that overlapped those of ("overlapping use") a prescription for terfenadine. RESULTS: Concurrent use of terfenadine and contraindicated drugs declined over the study period. The rate of same-day dispensing declined by 84% from an average of 2.5 per 100 persons receiving terfenadine in 1990 to 0.4 per 100 persons during the first 6 months of 1994, while the rate of overlapping use declined by 57% (from 5.4 to 2.3 per 100 persons). Most cases involved erythromycin. CONCLUSIONS: Despite substantial declines following reports of serious drug-drug interactions and changes in product labeling, concurrent use of terfenadine and contraindicated macrolide antibiotics and imidazole antifungals continues to occur.
Authors: Sigrid Piening; Flora M Haaijer-Ruskamp; Jonie T N de Vries; Menno E van der Elst; Pieter A de Graeff; Sabine M J M Straus; Peter G M Mol Journal: Drug Saf Date: 2012-05-01 Impact factor: 5.606
Authors: Ylva Böttiger; Kari Laine; Marine L Andersson; Tuomas Korhonen; Björn Molin; Marie-Louise Ovesjö; Tuire Tirkkonen; Anders Rane; Lars L Gustafsson; Birgit Eiermann Journal: Eur J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2009-02-11 Impact factor: 2.953
Authors: Gabriel Sanfélix-Gimeno; Pedro Cervera-Casino; Salvador Peiró; Beatriz González López-Valcarcel; Amparo Blázquez; Teresa Barbera Journal: Drug Saf Date: 2009 Impact factor: 5.606
Authors: Stacie B Dusetzina; Ashley S Higashi; E Ray Dorsey; Rena Conti; Haiden A Huskamp; Shu Zhu; Craig F Garfield; G Caleb Alexander Journal: Med Care Date: 2012-06 Impact factor: 2.983