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Mhango EKG, Sveinbjornsson BR, Snorradottir BS, Gizurarson S. Incompatibility of antimalarial drugs: challenges in formulating combination products for malaria. Drug Deliv 2024; 31:2299594. [PMID: 38180033 PMCID: PMC10773615 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2023.2299594] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Lipophilic drugs require more advance formulation, especially if the intention is to make solutions or semisolid formulations. This also accounts for most antimalarial drugs. Although some of these antimalarial drugs are soluble in lipid vehicles, few of them, such as lumefantrine (LF), are also poorly soluble in oily vehicles. Trying to dissolve and formulate LF as a liquid formulation together with other antimalarial drugs is, therefore, a major task. When mixed in solution together with artemether (AR), precipitation occurs, sometimes with LF precipitating out on its own, and sometimes with AR precipitating out alongside LF. In this study, it was hypothesized that the use of fatty acids could lead to enhanced solubility in lipid formulation. Addition of the fatty acid solved the dissolution challenges, making LF soluble for over a year at room temperature (21-23 °C); but further research is needed to test the mechanism of action of the fatty acid. In addition, design of experiments (MODDE® 13) revealed that the amount of fatty acid in the formulation was the only significant factor for LF precipitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen K. G. Mhango
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Bergthora S. Snorradottir
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Sveinbjorn Gizurarson
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
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Mhango EKG, Snorradottir BS, Kachingwe BHK, Katundu KGH, Gizurarson S. Estimation of Pediatric Dosage of Antimalarial Drugs, Using Pharmacokinetic and Physiological Approach. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1076. [PMID: 37111562 PMCID: PMC10140824 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Most of the individuals who die of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa are children. It is, therefore, important for this age group to have access to the right treatment and correct dose. Artemether-lumefantrine is one of the fixed dose combination therapies that was approved by the World Health Organization to treat malaria. However, the current recommended dose has been reported to cause underexposure or overexposure in some children. The aim of this article was, therefore, to estimate the doses that can mimic adult exposure. The availability of more and reliable pharmacokinetic data is essential to accurately estimate appropriate dosage regimens. The doses in this study were estimated using the physiological information from children and some pharmacokinetic data from adults due to the lack of pediatric pharmacokinetic data in the literature. Depending on the approach that was used to calculate the dose, the results showed that some children were underexposed, and others were overexposed. This can lead to treatment failure, toxicity, and even death. Therefore, when designing a dosage regimen, it is important to know and include the distinctions in physiology at various phases of development that influence the pharmacokinetics of various drugs in order to estimate the dose in young children. The physiology at each time point during the growth of a child may influence how the drug is absorbed, gets distributed, metabolized, and eliminated. From the results, there is a very clear need to conduct a clinical study to further verify if the suggested (i.e., 0.34 mg/kg for artemether and 6 mg/kg for lumefantrine) doses could be clinically efficacious.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen K. G. Mhango
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, 107 Reykjavik, Iceland (B.S.S.)
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, P/Bag 360, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Bergthora S. Snorradottir
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, 107 Reykjavik, Iceland (B.S.S.)
| | - Baxter H. K. Kachingwe
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, P/Bag 360, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Kondwani G. H. Katundu
- Biomedical Sciences Department, School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, P/Bag 360, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Sveinbjorn Gizurarson
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, 107 Reykjavik, Iceland (B.S.S.)
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, P/Bag 360, Blantyre 3, Malawi
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Nadeshkumar A, Sathiadas G, Sri Ranganathan S. Administration of oral dosage forms of medicines to children in a resource limited setting. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276379. [PMID: 36548310 PMCID: PMC9778530 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are many paediatric specific challenges such as lack of age-appropriate dosage forms, inability of young children to swallow tablets and capsules and poor acceptability, during administration of oral dosage forms of medications to children. Parents adopt various methods which they consider best to circumvent this problem. The objective of this study was to describe the administration practice by parents when giving oral dosage forms of medications to children. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the administration practice of 1800 oral dosage forms of medications administered to children under the age of 12 years using validated indicators. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire given to parents or caregivers was used to collect the necessary data. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS Data from 1800 oral dosage forms was obtained from 663 children. Of the 1287 solid dosage forms, almost one-third were manipulated by parents at the time of giving the medications to children. They were crushed and dissolved in water given to children. In about 17% of instances safety of water was questionable. In 92% of instances, measuring device was found to be inappropriate. CONCLUSION Administration of oral dosage forms of medications to children is far from ideal and hinders successful use of medications in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abarna Nadeshkumar
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka,* E-mail:
| | - Gitanjali Sathiadas
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
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Kalkman LC, Hanscheid T, Krishna S, Kremsner PG, Grobusch MP. Antimalarial treatment in infants. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2022; 23:1711-1726. [PMID: 36174125 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2130687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Malaria in infants is common in high-transmission settings, especially in infants >6 months. Infants undergo physiological changes impacting pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anti-malarial drugs and, consequently, the safety and efficacy of malaria treatment. Yet, treatment guidelines and evidence on pharmacological interventions for malaria often fail to address this vulnerable age-group. This review aims to summarise the available data on anti-malarial treatment in infants. AREAS COVERED The standard recommended treatments for severe and uncomplicated malaria are generally safe and effective in infants. However, infants have an increased risk of drug-related vomiting and have distinct pharmacokinetic parameters of antimalarials compared with older patients. These include larger volumes of distribution, higher clearance rates and immature enzyme systems. Consequently, infants with malaria may be at increased risk of treatment failure and drug toxicity. EXPERT OPINION Knowledge expansion to optimize treatment can be achieved by including more infants in antimalarial drug trials and by reporting separately on treatment outcomes in infants. Additional evidence on the efficacy, safety, tolerability, acceptability and effectiveness of ACTs in infants is needed, as well as population pharmacokinetics studies on antimalarials in the infant population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Kalkman
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity, Amsterdam Public Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Hanscheid
- Instituto de Microbiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sanjeev Krishna
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Tübingen, Germany.,Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon.,Clinical Academic Group, Institute for Infection and Immunity, and St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, St. George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Peter G Kremsner
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Tübingen, Germany.,Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Martin P Grobusch
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity, Amsterdam Public Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Tübingen, Germany.,Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Masanga Medical Research Unit (MMRU), Masanga, Sierra Leone
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Woon SA, Manning L, Moore BR. Antimalarials for children with Plasmodium vivax infection: Current status, challenges, and research priorities. Parasitol Int 2021; 87:102512. [PMID: 34785369 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this narrative review is to summarise efficacy and pharmacokinetic data for Plasmodium vivax in children. The burden of P. vivax malaria in children continues to remain a significant public health issue, and the need for improved treatment regimens for this vulnerable population is critical. Relapse after re-activation of dormant liver-stage hypnozoites poses additional challenges for treatment, elimination, and control strategies for P. vivax. Whilst it is recognised that paediatric pharmacology may be significantly influenced by anatomical and physiological changes of childhood, dosing regimens often continue to be extrapolated from adult data, highlighting the need for antimalarial dosing in children to be evaluated in early phase clinical trials. This will ensure that globally recommended treatment regimens do not result in suboptimal dosing in children. Furthermore, the development of affordable paediatric formulations to enhance treatment acceptability and widespread G6PD testing to facilitate use of anti-hypnozoite treatment such as primaquine and tafenoquine, should be further prioritised. As the world prepares for malaria elimination, a renewed focus on P. vivax malaria provides an ideal opportunity to harness momentum and ensure that all populations, including children have access to safe, efficacious, and correctly dosed antimalarial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sze-Ann Woon
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Laurens Manning
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Brioni R Moore
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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Qualitative and Quantitative Microbiological Studies of Paediatric Artemether-Lumefantrine Dry Powders and Paracetamol Syrups Obtained from Selected Drug Stores in Accra, Ghana. J Trop Med 2019; 2019:7062016. [PMID: 31379951 PMCID: PMC6662472 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7062016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Infants and children under five years generally have high susceptibility to pathogenic and opportunistic infections due to immaturity and inexperience of their immune responses. The lives of these young children are threatened when they consume pharmaceutical preparations of poor microbiological quality. Considering the widespread use of artemether-lumefantrine dry powder and paracetamol syrup among the general population in Ghana, there is a need to investigate the microbiological quality and safety of these paediatric pharmaceutical preparations. The study investigated the microbiological quality of 180 samples comprising 90 artemether-lumefantrine dry powders and 90 paracetamol syrups. The samples were tested for presence of specified indicator pathogens, Total Aerobic Microbial Count (TAMC), and Total Yeasts and Moulds Count (TYMC) using compendial procedures. Results from the study indicated that 16 (17.78%) of the paracetamol syrup samples showed bioburden levels above United States Pharmacopeia (USP) maximum acceptable limit, but none of the artemether-lumefantrine dry powder samples recorded microbial load above the limit of USP. Four samples of paracetamol syrup and 4 samples of artemether-lumefantrine dry powder showed presence of P. aeruginosa, whereas 5 samples of paracetamol syrup were found to be contaminated with Salmonella spp. Overall, 4.44% of the artemether-lumefantrine dry powders and 25.56% of the paracetamol syrups were found to be noncompliant with USP specifications for nonsterile pharmaceutical preparations for oral use. This study has revealed the existence of substandard paediatric pharmaceutical products in the Ghanaian market, hence the need for regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring and postmarketing surveillance programmes to help get rid of these products from the market.
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Santos Souza HF, Real D, Leonardi D, Rocha SC, Alonso V, Serra E, Silber AM, Salomon CJ. Development and in vitro/in vivo
evaluation of a novel benznidazole liquid dosage form using a quality-by-design approach. Trop Med Int Health 2017; 22:1514-1522. [DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Real
- Area Técnica Farmacéutica; Universidad Nacional de Rosario; Rosario Argentina
- Instituto de Química de Rosario; Rosario Argentina
| | - Darío Leonardi
- Area Técnica Farmacéutica; Universidad Nacional de Rosario; Rosario Argentina
- Instituto de Química de Rosario; Rosario Argentina
| | - Sandra Carla Rocha
- Department of Parasitology; Institute of Biomedical Sciences; University of São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - Victoria Alonso
- Area Parasitología; Universidad Nacional de Rosario; Rosario Argentina
| | - Esteban Serra
- Area Parasitología; Universidad Nacional de Rosario; Rosario Argentina
| | - Ariel Mariano Silber
- Department of Parasitology; Institute of Biomedical Sciences; University of São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - Claudio Javier Salomon
- Area Técnica Farmacéutica; Universidad Nacional de Rosario; Rosario Argentina
- Instituto de Química de Rosario; Rosario Argentina
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Newton PN, Hanson K, Goodman C. Do anti-malarials in Africa meet quality standards? The market penetration of non quality-assured artemisinin combination therapy in eight African countries. Malar J 2017; 16:204. [PMID: 28539125 PMCID: PMC5444102 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1818-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quality of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is important for ensuring malaria parasite clearance and protecting the efficacy of artemisinin-based therapies. The extent to which non quality-assured ACT (non-QAACT), or those not granted global regulatory approval, are available and used to treat malaria in endemic countries is poorly documented. This paper uses national and sub-national medicine outlet surveys conducted in eight study countries (Benin, Kinshasa and Kantanga [Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC], Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia) between 2009 and 2015 to describe the non-QAACT market and to document trends in availability and distribution of non-QAACT in the public and private sector. RESULTS In 2014/15, non-QAACT were most commonly available in Kinshasa (83%), followed by Katanga (53%), Nigeria (48%), Kenya (42%), and Uganda (33%). Non-QAACT accounted for 20% of the market share in the private sector in Kenya, followed by Benin and Uganda (19%), Nigeria (12%) and Zambia (8%); this figure was 27% in Katanga and 40% in Kinshasa. Public sector non-QAACT availability and distribution was much lower, with the exception of Zambia (availability, 85%; market share, 32%). Diverse generics and formulations were available, but non-QAACT were most commonly artemether-lumefantrine (AL) or dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA PPQ), in tablet formulation, imported, and distributed in urban areas at either pharmacies or drug stores. The number of unique manufacturers supplying non-QAACT to each country ranged from 9 in Uganda to 92 in Nigeria. CONCLUSIONS Addressing the availability and distribution of non-QAACT will require effective private sector engagement and evidence-based strategies to address provider and consumer demand for these products. Given the variation in non-QAACT markets observed across the eight study countries, active efforts to limit registration, importation and distribution of non-QAACT must be tailored to the country context, and will involve addressing complex and challenging aspects of medicine registration, private sector pharmaceutical regulation, local manufacturing and drug importation. These efforts may be critical not only to patient health and safety, but also to effective malaria control and protection of artemisinin drug efficacy in the face of spreading resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul N. Newton
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WCH 9SH UK
| | - Kara Hanson
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WCH 9SH UK
| | - Catherine Goodman
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WCH 9SH UK
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Affiliation(s)
- Quique Bassat
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Ctr. Int. Health Res. (CRESIB), Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
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