Risk of Pancreatitis Following Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Eluxadoline

Drug-Induced Acute Pancreatitis: A Real-World Pharmacovigilance Study Using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System Database

Timely identification and discontinuation of culprit-drug is the cornerstone of clinical management of drug-induced acute pancreatitis (AP), but the comprehensive landscape of AP culprit-drugs is still lacking. To provide the current overview of AP culprit-drugs to guide clinical practice, we reviewed the adverse event (AE) reports associated with AP in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database from 2004 to 2022, and summarized a potential AP culprit-drug list and its corresponding AE report quantity proportion. The disproportionality analysis was used to detect adverse drug reaction (ADR) signals for each drug in the drug list, and the ADR signal distribution was integrated to show the risk characteristic of drugs according to the ADR signal detection results. In the FAERS database, a total of 62,206 AE reports were AP-related, in which 1,175 drugs were reported as culprit-drug. On the whole, metformin was the drug with the greatest number of AE reports, followed by quetiapine, liraglutide, exenatide, and sitagliptin. Drugs used in diabetes was the drug class with the greatest number of AE reports, followed by immunosuppressants, psycholeptics, drugs for acid-related disorders, and analgesics. In disproportionality analysis, 595 drugs showed potential AP risk, whereas 580 drugs did not show any positive ADR signal. According to the positive-negative distribution of the ADR signal for drug classes, the drug class with the greatest number of positive drugs was antineoplastic agents. In this study, we provided the current comprehensive landscape of AP culprit-drugs from the pharmacovigilance perspective, which can provide reference information for clinical practice.

Pancreas and Adverse Drug Reactions: A Literature Review

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) affecting the pancreas are a heterogeneous group of side effects that cause damage to pancreatic cells. Various mechanisms such as hypersensitization, sphincter of Oddi constriction, direct cytotoxic and metabolic effects on pancreatic cells, and dose-dependent idiosyncrasy lead to intrapancreatic activation of pancreatic enzymes resulting in drug-induced acute pancreatitis. Several medications have been linked with the development of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer may result from proinflammatory, proliferative, and antiapoptotic effects. Diabetogenic effect of drugs, which is understood as impairment of insulin secretion, may occur due to direct destruction of β cells, systemic toxicity affecting pancreatic islets and cell membrane glucose transporters, induction of Th1-type autoimmune response, and impairment of voltage-gated calcium channels in β cells, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and insulin signaling. A better understanding of ADRs that affect the pancreas may contribute to improving the awareness of clinicians and patients and reducing potential harmful side effects of implemented therapies.

A Network Pharmacology-Based Study on Irritable Bowel Syndrome Prevention and Treatment Utilizing Shenling Baizhu Powder

Methods

Metabolomics was used to detect the secondary metabolites in SLBZP; the target protein was acquired by target fishing according to the compound's structure. The SymMap database was used to search herbal medicines for the target protein. The target gene of IBS gave rise to the common gene protein which is the potential target of SLBZP in IBS therapy. The interactions between target proteins were analyzed in a STRING database, the protein relationship network was analyzed using Cytoscape software, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis of the core target gene group was carried out in a DAVID database in order to construct the “compound-traditional Chinese medicine/molecule-target-pathway” network. Molecular docking was used to verify the core protein and its related small molecular compounds.

Result

There were 129 types of secondary metabolites in SLBZP. 80 target proteins of these metabolites were potential core targets for IBS treatment including acetylcholinesterase (AChE), arachidonate-5-lipoxygenase (ALOX5), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2), recombinant cyclin D1 (CCND1), and catenin-β1 (CTNNB1), among others. Results from these targets indicated that the most enriched pathway was the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway (p < 0.001) and that the most abundant pathway was signal transduction. In the network nodes of the TNF signaling pathway, the Chinese medicines with the highest aggregation were Lablab semen album and Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma (degree = 11). The small molecules with the highest aggregation were oxypeucedanin and 3,5,6,7,8,3′,4′-heptamethoxyflavone (degree = 4). Molecular docking results confirmed that daidzein 7-O-glucoside (daidzin) had the highest degree of binding to TNF proteins in the TNF signaling pathway.

Conclusion

This study shows that SLBZP can treat IBS by influencing multiple targets and pathways, of which the TNF signaling pathway may be the most significant. This typifies the pharmacological characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine, i.e., multiple targets, numerous pathways, and specific therapeutic effects on diseases. SLBZP can therefore be used as a candidate drug for clinical IBS by intervening in human signal transduction.

Medical Therapies for Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder that manifests with abdominal pain and diarrheal bowel patterns, without structural explanation. Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome is a heterogeneous condition resulting from diverse pathophysiologic processes. Treatment strategies with varied mechanisms of action are beneficial in its management. The clinician must become familiar with a multi-dimensional approach to irritable bowel syndrome. The 3 approved medications are central to disease management. Effective treatment uses off-label medications and emerging therapies and a growing number of over-the-counter and supplemental agents to optimize symptom improvement for the patient with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

Update on Eluxadoline for the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea: Patient Selection and Perspectives

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain associated with changes in bowel habits. It is the most common GI problem seen by gastroenterologists. IBS is a heterogenous disorder encompassing a spectrum of underlying mechanisms and clinical presentations. The pathophysiology of diarrhea-predominant form of IBS (IBS-D) remains poorly understood, and current available therapeutic options for IBS-D are limited. Eluxadoline is a novel, locally acting mixed μ- and κ-opioid receptor agonist and δ-receptor antagonist approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of adults with IBS-D. Data from two phase III clinical trials showed that approximately 25–30% of the eluxadoline-treated patients achieved composite clinical response, defined by a reduction of abdominal pain and improvement in stool consistency. Patients who achieve composite response during the first month of therapy were significantly more likely to demonstrate sustained clinical response. The most common adverse events reported with eluxadoline use were constipation, nausea and abdominal pain. The risk of abuse, dependence, or withdrawal is low. Serious adverse events associated with eluxadoline include sphincter of Oddi spasm (SOS) and pancreatitis particularly in patients without a gallbladder. Development of pancreatitis is likely secondary to SOS, but it remains unclear why pancreatitis occurs so quickly after initial doses. This adverse event profile helps guide proper selection of IBS-D patients for eluxadoline use, with important contraindications including absence of a gallbladder, biliary duct obstruction or sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, alcoholism, history of pancreatitis, or structural diseases of the pancreas. With the recent clinical trials demonstrating its efficacy, eluxadoline provides an additional option to the few existing pharmacologic interventions available for IBS-D. In this review, we discuss the drug development, efficacy and safety of eluxadoline, as well as selection criteria for identifying appropriate candidates for this medication.

Current US Food and Drug Administration-Approved Pharmacologic Therapies for the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain and alterations in stool form and/or frequency, leading to reduced quality of life. Pharmacologic agents currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) in adults are the nonsystemic antibiotic rifaximin, the mixed µ- and κ-opioid receptor agonist/δ-opioid antagonist eluxadoline, and the selective serotonin 5-HT₃ antagonist alosetron (the last of which is indicated only in women with severe IBS-D refractory to conventional therapy). Both eluxadoline and alosetron are administered as chronic daily therapies; rifaximin is given as a 2-week course of treatment with repeat courses administered as needed for symptom recurrence. Presumed mechanisms of action of rifaximin include modulation of the gut microbiota, anti-inflammatory activity, normalization of visceral hypersensitivity, and reduction in intestinal permeability. Eluxadoline targets opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, resulting in decreased GI motility, fluid secretion, and visceral pain perception. Alosetron antagonizes serotonergic afferent neural signals and also slows GI motility. The efficacy and safety of these agents have been investigated in several rigorous clinical trials, and it has been demonstrated that they improve global and individual IBS symptoms. This review highlights the pivotal efficacy and safety data of the three pharmacologic agents currently indicated in the USA for the management of IBS-D in adults.Funding: Salix Pharmaceuticals.

Management of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea: a review of nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal (GI) condition involving numerous potential causative factors (e.g. alterations in gut microbiota, motility, brain-gut axis). Several interventions are available for the management of patients with IBS, but no universal management algorithm currently exists. The aim of this article is to review interventions that may be considered in the management of patients with IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D). Nonpharmacological interventions include dietary and lifestyle modification, which are generally used as first-line therapy. Probiotics have demonstrated efficacy and safety in patients with IBS, but studies are inconsistent in strains examined, dosing, and treatment duration. Psychological therapies (e.g. cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy) also may improve IBS symptoms. Pharmacological interventions for the management of IBS-D include the US Food and Drug Administration-approved agents eluxadoline, rifaximin, and alosetron, as well as loperamide, smooth muscle antispasmodics, bile acid sequestrants, and antidepressants (i.e. tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Eluxadoline and rifaximin have been shown to improve abdominal pain and stool consistency in patients with IBS-D. In addition, data indicate that alosetron improves IBS symptoms; however, it is approved only for women with severe IBS-D. Of the three approved agents, rifaximin has the most favorable safety profile. The risk-benefit ratio is an important consideration with every medication, but is especially important in the treatment of functional GI disorders such as IBS-D. Thus, the most troublesome symptoms, quality of life, symptom intensity, and individual patient preferences should be considered when formulating a management plan for patients with IBS-D.

Eluxadoline-induced pancreatitis occurring in an adult man without a prior cholecystectomy

Eluxadoline is a novel medication that was approved in the USA in 2015 for the treatment of diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Due to its unique mechanism of action as both an opioid agonist and antagonist, it has been placed as a schedule IV controlled substance. Since its approval, there have been several cases of eluxadoline-induced pancreatitis reported in the literature. The majority of patients who presented with eluxadoline-induced pancreatitis were reported to have had a prior cholecystectomy. Due to this, the Food and Drug Administration released a warning in 2017 that eluxadoline should no longer be used in patients who do not have a gall bladder. We present a rare case of an adult man without prior cholecystectomy who presented with severe mid-epigastric pain and was found to have eluxadoline-induced pancreatitis.

Methylation Products of 6β- N-Heterocyclic Substituted Naltrexamine Derivatives as Potential Peripheral Opioid Receptor Modulators

Two 6β- N-heterocyclic naltrexamine derivatives, NAP and NMP, have been identified as peripherally selective mu opioid receptor (MOR) antagonists. To further enhance the peripheral selectivity of both compounds, the 17-amino group and the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring in both NAP and NMP were methylated to obtain dMNAP and dMNMP, respectively. Compared with NAP and NMP, the binding affinities of dMNAP and dMNMP shifted to MOR and KOR (kappa opioid receptor) dual selective and they acted as moderate efficacy partial agonists. The results from radioligand binding studies were further confirmed by molecular docking studies. In vivo studies demonstrated that dMNAP and dMNMP did not produce antinociception nor did they antagonize morphine's antinociceptive activity, indicating that these compounds did not act on the central nervous system. Meanwhile, both dMNAP and dMNMP significantly slowed down fecal excretion, which indicated that they were peripherally acting opioid receptor agonists. All together, these results suggested that dMNAP and dMNMP acted as peripheral mu/kappa opioid receptor modulators and may be applicable in the treatment of diarrhea in patients with bowel dysfunction.

Psychotropics, Antidepressants, and Visceral Analgesics in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Purpose of Review

The functional gastrointestinal disorders, or disorders of gut-brain interaction as defined by the Rome IV criteria, are the most common diagnostic entities in gastroenterology. Treatments that address the dysregulation of gut-brain interaction with these disorders are increasingly gaining interest as a better option than for example traditional analgesics, particularly opioids. Antidepressants, antianxiety and antipsychotic medications, and visceral analgesics, now termed neuromodulators, are included in this update addressing the evidence of treatment benefit in disorders of brain-gut interaction.

Recent Findings

By a careful selection based on a multidimensional clinical profile, a decreased symptom burden, particularly regarding abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, as well as improved social function and quality of life, can be obtained by use of neuromodulators. There is good evidence for the peripheral neuromodulators from studies in bowel disorders, and the central neuromodulators both from indirect evidence in chronic pain disorders as well as selected disorders of brain-gut interaction.

Summary

Basic knowledge about the pharmacologic properties and clinical use of neuromodulators in disorders of brain-gut interaction improves the treatment outcome and avoids use of traditional analgesics.

Review article: an analysis of safety profiles of treatments for diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is multifactorial in nature, and a wide range of therapies is available to manage symptoms of this common disorder.

AIM

To provide an overview of the safety of interventions that may be used to manage patients with diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D).

METHODS

Medline and Embase database searches (through 02 May 2018) to identify clinical studies that evaluated treatment safety and/or efficacy in adults with IBS-D.

RESULTS

IBS-D treatments include dietary modification, probiotics, serotonin receptor antagonists, opioid receptor agonists and antagonists, nonsystemic antibiotics, bile acid sequestrants, antidepressants, and complementary and alternative therapies. These treatments vary in administration frequency (eg, daily; short-course therapy) and target various pathophysiologic factors. Safety profiles vary considerably by treatment among IBS-D therapies. The number needed to harm (defined as the number of patients treated to encounter an adverse event) was lowest (worse) for antidepressants (8.5) and highest (best) for probiotics (35), and the number needed to harm (defined as the number of patients who discontinued due to an adverse event) was lowest for tricyclic antidepressants (9) and highest for rifaximin (8971). Notable safety concerns with IBS-D treatments include pancreatitis with eluxadoline, ischaemic colitis and serious complications of constipation with alosetron, and cardiac adverse events with loperamide and tricyclic antidepressants. Treatment decisions need to account for medication risks and adverse events for each patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple treatment options are now available for patients with IBS-D. However, the safety profiles of these agents vary widely by number needed to harm value. Providers should consider both safety and efficacy of a specific intervention when determining how best to manage patients' IBS-D symptoms.

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction: sphincter of Oddi dysfunction or discordance? What is the state of the art in 2018?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review important manuscripts published over the previous 2 years relative to sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD).

RECENT FINDINGS

The long-term outcomes of the Evaluating Predictors and Interventions of SOD (EPISOD) trial further substantiated results from the initial EPISOD study, reinforcing that neither endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-manometry nor endoscopic sphincterotomy are appropriate for SOD type III. Pain management in the latter patients has reverted to neuromodulating agents, and recent studies have suggested a role for duloxetine and potentially acupuncture. The functional role of the sphincter of Oddi has been reiterated with a report demonstrating a higher clinically significant pancreatic fistula rate in distal pancreatectomy patients treated with higher doses of postoperative narcotics. Moreover, the injection of periampullary botulinum toxin preoperatively has been shown to decrease these fistulas in a pilot trial. Additional studies have reinforced that eluxadoline can cause sphincter of Oddi spasm and pancreatitis. In contrast to approaching patients with acute relapsing pancreatitis using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and manometry, previous and current studies suggest that endoscopic ultrasound should be done first and the role of SOD in idiopathic acute relapsing pancreatitis remains controversial. Finally, there remain widespread disparities in practice patterns in the approach to patients currently classified as SOD type II.

SUMMARY

In contrast to historical manuscripts which stress the classical definitions of three types of SOD and their consequences, more recent manuscripts on this topic have focused on improving surgical outcomes based on the physiologic role of sphincter of Oddi, as well as the pharmacologic causes and treatments of SOD. The simplistic view that SOD, however it has been diagnosed, requires biliary or dual sphincterotomy is just that, simplistic and potentially misguided.