1
|
Mitiku A, Bekele A, Siraj J, Hasen G. The magnitude and associated factors of unused medications storage practice among households in Jimma city, southwest of Ethiopia: Community-based cross-sectional study. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IN CLINICAL AND SOCIAL PHARMACY 2024; 15:100459. [PMID: 38983638 PMCID: PMC11231587 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Medicines are kept unused at home for many therapeutic reasons. Conversely, unused medication and subsequent wastage can be attributed to several primary factors such as medication change, death, and non-adherence. This study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of unused medication storage practice among households in Jimma City, southwest Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among households (n = 397) in Jimma Town from July to August 2021. The data were collected using the pre-tested and interviewer-administered questionnaire. SPSS version 21.0 was used for data analysis. The multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with the storage of unused medicine at a 5% level of significance. Results Out of 397 households that responded, (n = 90, 23%) of households were found to have unused medicine at home. This study showed that the majority of households dispose of unused drugs by burning them (32.2%) and burying them in the ground (29%). Antibiotics were the most (6.3%) unused medicines stored while the anti-diabetics (1.3%) were the least unused drugs stored among households. The presence of family members working in the health sector (AOR: 0.402, 95%, CI: 0.202, 0.800) and family size in households (AOR: 2.325, 95%, CI: 1.045, 5.174) were significantly associated with the magnitude of unused medicine storage. Conclusion The magnitude and improper disposal of unused medicines storage among households were significant in the study area. Therefore, it is important to educate the community and encourage health professionals to understand their role in problems and solutions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andualem Mitiku
- Jimma University, Institute of Health, School of Pharmacy, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia
| | - Azmeraw Bekele
- Jimma University, Institute of Health, School of Pharmacy, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia
| | - Jafer Siraj
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia
| | - Gemmechu Hasen
- Jimma University, Institute of Health, School of Pharmacy, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Carvalho WFD, Lima EDSP, de Castro WV, Thomé RG, Santos HB. Toxicological effect of acetaminophen, metamizole, and nimesulide cocktail on early development of zebrafish. Daru 2024:10.1007/s40199-024-00528-9. [PMID: 38987508 DOI: 10.1007/s40199-024-00528-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several countries' most incorrectly discarded medicines are acetaminophen (ACM), metamizole (MTZ), and nimesulide (NMS). These xenobiotics easily reach the aquatic environment; such contamination is very important for the health of humans and other species, yet little explored. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the cocktail effect of ACM, MTZ, and NMS during zebrafish's initial development. METHODS Zebrafish embryos 6-8 h post-fertilization (hpf) were exposed to different concentrations of ACM, MTZ, and NMS, separately, to obtain the 50% lethal concentrations (LC50). Next, the embryos were exposed to distinct concentrations of the cocktail (LC50/2, LC50/5, LC50/10, and LC50/20) in a semi-static system. Samples were analyzed 0, 24, 48, and 96 h after exposure, and the drugs' concentrations in E3 medium were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography. For embryotoxicity evaluation, the mortality, hatching, and heart rates; total length; and pericardial and yolk sac areas were determined. In addition, body malformations, edemas, presence of pigmentation, and histopathological assessments were also recorded. RESULTS The LC50 values obtained for MTZ, ACM, and NMS were 4.69 mgmL-1, 799.98 μgmL-1, and 0.92 μgmL-1, respectively. No difference was observed between the drugs' nominal and observed concentrations at each time point. The cocktail significantly induced mortality and decreased hatching in the LC50/10, LC50/5, and LC50/2 groups. Additionally, body malformations, pigmentation loss, and yolk sac and pericardial edemas were observed in the cocktail groups. The cocktail groups' larvae had decreased total length and slower heart rates compared to the controls (p < 0.05). The histopathological assessment showed that yolk sac edema promoted severe histological changes in the esophageal-intestine junction and intestine in larvae treated with cocktails. Moreover, PAS-positive structures decreased in the esophageal-intestine junction, intestine, and liver in larvae exposed to pharmaceutical cocktails. CONCLUSION This study's findings suggest the cocktail of ACM, MTZ, and NMS may be hazardous to aquatic organisms in case of environmental contamination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wellington Fernandes de Carvalho
- Laboratório de Processamento de Tecidos (Laprotec), Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Avenida Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho, Divinópolis, MG, CEP, 40035501296, Brazil
| | - Ednalva de Souza Pereira Lima
- Laboratório de Controle de Qualidade e Farmacocinética, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Avenida Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho, Divinópolis, MG, CEP, 40035501296, Brazil
| | - Whocely Victor de Castro
- Laboratório de Controle de Qualidade e Farmacocinética, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Avenida Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho, Divinópolis, MG, CEP, 40035501296, Brazil
| | - Ralph Gruppi Thomé
- Laboratório de Processamento de Tecidos (Laprotec), Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Avenida Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho, Divinópolis, MG, CEP, 40035501296, Brazil
| | - Hélio Batista Santos
- Laboratório de Processamento de Tecidos (Laprotec), Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Avenida Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho, Divinópolis, MG, CEP, 40035501296, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Michelin ADF, Bonifácio NA, Nagata WB, da Silva VMS, Gobbo LEM, Bresciani KDS. Guidance provided by pharmacists to customers regarding to destination of unused household medications: disposal of household medications. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1350. [PMID: 38049849 PMCID: PMC10694965 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10319-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Discarding pharmaceuticals in the garbage or into the sewage system are still the most common methods in many countries. This study aims to investigate the guidance provided by pharmacists to customers on the disposal of unused and expired household medications in São Paulo State, Brazil. METHOD The study population consisted of 630 pharmacists from the State of São Paulo, who work in community pharmacies. They answered an online questionnaire with questions composed in three blocks: demographic, work, and academic information on the pharmacist; guidance about the disposal of household medications; and knowledge regarding the reverse logistics of these medications. An invitation to participate in the questionnaire was made via WhatsApp, individually and collectively. Inferential statistics were performed using the chi-square test and were considered significant when p < 0.05%. RESULTS Among the participating pharmacists, the majority were women under 60 years old,56 (8.89%) stated that they never orient the customer regarding the disposal of unused and expired household medications, while 574 (91,12%) indicated that they almost provide guidance. The frequency with which they provided guidance was influenced by the number of years since graduation (p = 0.0047), the time they had worked in pharmacies and drugstores (p = 0.0007), and whether or not they had a graduate degree (p = 0.0181). Regarding the disposal of medications, among the 643 responses provided by the pharmacists,516 (80.25%) indicated that they oriented customers to return them to a pharmacy. CONCLUSION A small number of pharmacists always orient customers on the proper disposal that should be followed for unused and expired household medications, prioritizing their return to a pharmacy. In general, these pharmacists have longer periods of work experience and higher academic qualifications. Thus, it is important to increase knowledge through professional training and further education programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aparecida de Fatima Michelin
- School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rua Clóvis Pestana, no 793, Araçatuba, 16050-680, SP, Brazil.
- Institute of Health Sciences, Paulista University, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil.
| | - Neuza Alves Bonifácio
- School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rua Clóvis Pestana, no 793, Araçatuba, 16050-680, SP, Brazil
- Institute of Health Sciences, Paulista University, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Valéria Maria Savoya da Silva
- School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rua Clóvis Pestana, no 793, Araçatuba, 16050-680, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Katia Denise Saraiva Bresciani
- School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rua Clóvis Pestana, no 793, Araçatuba, 16050-680, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Silva IF, Enes KP, Rocha GM, Varotti FP, Barbosa LA, Thomé RG, Santos HBD. Toxicological effects of hydroxychloroquine sulfate and chloroquine diphosphate substances on the early-life stages of fish in the COVID-19 pandemic context. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2023; 58:825-830. [PMID: 37488813 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2023.2238587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQ) and chloroquine diphosphate (CQ) have been used at increased rates to treat COVID-19 but can constitute a potential environmental risk. The objective was to evaluate the toxicity of sublethal concentrations of HCQ and CQ in zebrafish embryos/larvae. The 50% lethal concentrations (LC50) of HCQ and CQ at 96 h post-fertilization (hpf) were calculated by testing various concentrations on 2,160 embryos. The LC50 obtained were 560 and 800 µM for HCQ and CQ, respectively. Next, the embryotoxicity assay was performed, where 1,200 embryos were subjected to sublethal concentrations of HCQ and CQ. The hatching and heart rates were recorded. After euthanasia, photomicrographs of all larvae were taken to measure the total length, pericardial and yolk sac areas. The embryos exposed to sublethal concentrations of HCQ and CQ showed delayed hatching at 72 hpf, as well as an increase in the heart rate, larger pericardial and yolk sac areas, and body malformations at 96 hpf. The findings show that HCQ and CQ are toxic to fish in the early development phases. Understanding the mechanisms of toxicity will help extrapolate the effects of 4-aminoquinoline derivatives when they reach the aquatic environment in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Ferreira Silva
- Laboratório de Processamento de Tecidos (Laprotec), Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Divinópolis, Brazil
| | - Keiza Priscila Enes
- Laboratório de Processamento de Tecidos (Laprotec), Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Divinópolis, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Machado Rocha
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Divinópolis, Brazil
| | - Fernando Pilla Varotti
- Laboratório de Bioquimica Medicinal, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Divinópolis, Brazil
| | - Leandro Augusto Barbosa
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Divinópolis, Brazil
| | - Ralph Gruppi Thomé
- Laboratório de Processamento de Tecidos (Laprotec), Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Divinópolis, Brazil
| | - Hélio Batista Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Processamento de Tecidos (Laprotec), Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Divinópolis, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mendonça-Gomes JM, da Costa Araújo AP, da Luz TM, Charlie-Silva I, Braz HLB, Jorge RJB, Ahmed MAI, Nóbrega RH, Vogel CFA, Malafaia G. Environmental impacts of COVID-19 treatment: Toxicological evaluation of azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine in adult zebrafish. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 790:148129. [PMID: 34380260 PMCID: PMC8164503 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
One of the most impact issues in recent years refers to the COVID-19 pandemic, the consequences of which thousands of deaths recorded worldwide, are still inferior understood. Its impacts on the environment and aquatic biota constitute a fertile field of investigation. Thus, to predict the impact of the indiscriminate use of azithromycin (AZT) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in this pandemic context, we aim to assess their toxicological risks when isolated or in combination, using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model system. In summary, we observed that 72 h of exposure to AZT and HCQ (alone or in binary combination, both at 2.5 μg/L) induced the reduction of total protein levels, accompanied by increased levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydrogen peroxide, reactive oxygen species and nitrite, suggesting a REDOX imbalance and possible oxidative stress. Molecular docking analysis further supported this data by demonstrating a strong affinity of AZT and HCQ with their potential antioxidant targets (catalase and superoxide dismutase). In the protein-protein interaction network analysis, AZT showed a putative interaction with different cytochrome P450 molecules, while HCQ demonstrated interaction with caspase-3. The functional enrichment analysis also demonstrated diverse biological processes and molecular mechanisms related to the maintenance of REDOX homeostasis. Moreover, we also demonstrated an increase in the AChE activity followed by a reduction in the neuromasts of the head when zebrafish were exposed to the mixture AZT + HCQ. These data suggest a neurotoxic effect of the drugs. Altogether, our study demonstrated that short exposure to AZT, HCQ or their mixture induced physiological alterations in adult zebrafish. These effects can compromise the health of these animals, suggesting that the increase of AZT and HCQ due to COVID-19 pandemic can negatively impact freshwater ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda Pereira da Costa Araújo
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Biológicas, Instituto Federal Goiano, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | | | - Ives Charlie-Silva
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Roberta Jeane Bezerra Jorge
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Brazil; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael Henrique Nóbrega
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Christoph F A Vogel
- Department of Environmental Toxicology and Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Guilherme Malafaia
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Biológicas, Instituto Federal Goiano, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia e Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Conservação de Recursos Naturais do Cerrado, Instituto Federal Goiano, Urutaí, GO, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|