Rhabdomyolysis Associations with Antibiotics: A Pharmacovigilance Study of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS)

Revolutionizing Daptomycin Dosing: A Single 7-11 Hour Sample for Pragmatic Application

Precision daptomycin dosing faces clinical implementation barriers despite known exposure-safety concerns with the use of twice the regulatory-approved doses. We propose achieving a single 7-11 hour post-dose plasma target concentration of 30 mg/L to 43 mg/L to be a practical starting point to facilitate precision daptomycin dosing.

Rapid Aggravation of Rhabdomyolysis Caused by Daptomycin After Aortic Arch Replacement: A Case Report

Although rare, rhabdomyolysis is a serious complication of cardiothoracic surgery. Daptomycin is a polypeptide antimicrobial agent used to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections of the soft tissues. Daptomycin is associated with elevations in serum creatine kinase (CK). A 50-year-old man with acute Stanford A-type aortic dissection was performed Bentall procedure and total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk. The CK level was 6,573 U/L on the first postoperative day (POD), suggesting rhabdomyolysis associated with lower limb ischemia. The CK level increased to 11,934 U/L on POD 2 and started to decrease thereafter. On POD 5, the patient had a suspected surgical site infection. Antibiotics were changed to empiric therapy of daptomycin and meropenem to address soft tissue MRSA infection. The CK level at the start of daptomycin administration was 4,122 U/L. However, the CK level rose to 21,813 U/L on POD 6. None of the findings suggested new-onset lower limb ischemia. Assuming that the rhabdomyolysis was induced by daptomycin, it was discontinued. The CK level peaked at 26,123 U/L on POD 8, after which it started to decrease and normalized on POD 16. Daptomycin should be used with extreme caution in patients recovering from rhabdomyolysis.

Four Cases of Suspected Levetiracetam-Induced Asymptomatic Rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis is a known side effect of levetiracetam. In general, a patient with rhabdomyolysis complains of muscle pain and swelling. Herein, we report four cases of asymptomatic levetiracetam-induced rhabdomyolysis. In all the four cases, the seizures resolved after more than five days. The patients received continuous fluid replacement from the time they were admitted to our hospital. However, serum creatine kinase (CK) levels continued to rise without symptoms consistent with rhabdomyolysis. The serum CK level improved rapidly when levetiracetam was replaced with lacosamide. Because levetiracetam occasionally causes asymptomatic rhabdomyolysis, routine blood tests should be performed after its initiation.

Daptomycin-induced rhabdomyolysis complicated with acute gouty arthritis

Rhabdomyolysis is a well-documented side effect of daptomycin and is associated with hyperuricemia. However, the occurrence of acute gouty arthritis secondary to rhabdomyolysis-induced hyperuricemia has not been reported. We report a case of a patient who presented with daptomycin-induced rhabdomyolysis prior to the usual 7-10-day administration period. This case was complicated with acute gouty arthritis after 7 days from the onset of rhabdomyolysis symptoms. Treatment consisted of fluid management with the addition of prednisone for gouty arthritis treatment given his poor kidney function. This report indicates the importance of early monitoring of creatine kinase levels in patients on daptomycin to prevent complications from rhabdomyolysis.

A Case of Daptomycin-Induced Rhabdomyolysis: A Life and Limb Threatening Complication

Surgical site infections (SSIs) contribute to patient morbidity and health expenditure. An increasing elderly population, the expanding use of implants in surgical procedures, drug-resistant microorganisms, and patient-related comorbidities all contribute to SSIs. Daptomycin is an antibiotic known to cause rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening complication that may lead to acute compartment syndrome (ACS). We present a case of a patient treated with daptomycin for a penile-implant infection complicated by rhabdomyolysis and ACS of his bilateral forearms. He underwent emergent fasciotomies and retained function in his upper extremities long-term. It is vital that physicians closely monitor patients treated with IV-daptomycin therapy and educate patients on alarm symptoms to allow for prompt recognition of life and limb-saving treatments. Orthopedic surgeons should always have a high index of suspicion for ACS and should be aware of the relationship between rhabdomyolysis and ACS.

Antimicrobial safety considerations in critically ill patients: part II: focused on anti-microbial toxicities

INTRODUCTION

Antibiotic prescription is a challenging issue in critical care settings. Different pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, polypharmacy, drug interactions, and high incidence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms in this population can influence the selection, safety, and efficacy of prescribed antibiotics.

AREAS COVERED

In the current article we searched PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar for neurotoxicities, hematologic toxicity and fluid stewardship in intensive care units.

EXPERT OPINION

Critically ill patients who receive antimicrobial agents should be monitored for neurological, hematologic toxicities especially seizure, thrombocytopenia, and clostridioides infections. Other toxicities including QTc prolongation, electrolyte disturbances, liver enzyme elevation, and infusion-related reactions were being considered. Other changes, including fluid overload, hypoalbuminemia, augmented renal clearance, increased cardiac outputs in septic shock, and acute kidney injury, may influence treatment efficiency and patient outcome.

Nephroprotective Plants: A Review on the Use in Pre-Renal and Post-Renal Diseases

Kidney diseases are expected to become the fifth leading cause of death by 2040. Several physiological failures classified as pre-, intra-, and post-renal factors induce kidney damage. Diabetes, liver pathologies, rhabdomyolysis, and intestinal microbiota have been identified as pre-renal factors, and lithiasis or blood clots in the ureters, prostate cancer, urethral obstructions, prostate elongation, and urinary tract infections are post-renal factors. Additionally, the nephrotoxicity of drugs has been highlighted as a crucial factor inducing kidney injuries. Due to the adverse effects of drugs, it is necessary to point to other alternatives to complement the treatment of these diseases, such as nephroprotective agents. Plants are a wide source of nephroprotective substances and can have beneficial effects in different levels of the physiological pathways which lead to kidney damage. In traditional medicines, plants are used as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, diuretics, and anticancer agents, among other benefits. However, the mechanism of action of some plants empirically used remains unknown and scientific data are required to support their nephroprotective effects. The present work reviewed the plants with a beneficial effect on kidney diseases. The classification of nephroprotective plants according to the clinical definition of pre-renal, intrinsic, and post-renal factors is proposed to orient their use as complementary treatments.

Caution the arrhythmia association with antibody-drug conjugates: a pharmacovigilance study

Arrhythmias associated with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are rare but potentially life-threatening adverse events (AEs). No study has systemically compared arrhythmias associations for various marketed ADCs. This needs to be clarified to guide antitumor therapies. We extracted data of patients treated with ADCs registered between 2004 q1 and 2020 q3 from the US Food and Drug Administration adverse event reporting system (FAERS). The medical dictionary for regulatory activities was used to identify arrhythmias cases. Disproportionality analysis was performed by calculating the reporting odds ratios (ROR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Clinical characteristics of patients with ADCs-associated arrhythmias and the time to onset of arrhythmias following different ADCs were collected. A total of 140 reports were considered after inclusion criteria were used. Exposure to gemtuzumab ozogamicin (2.23, 1.67-2.97; 48 cases) and brentuximab vedotin (1.27, 1.00-1.61; 67 cases) were associated with a positive signal of arrhythmia. The highest number of arrhythmia reports was for brentuximab vedotin (n = 67). Also 88.00% of arrhythmia occurred within 60 days for all these ADCs. Arrhythmia was commonly reported in patients with hematologic tumors and breast cancer. In the time to onset of adverse events after administration, brentuximab vedotin was significantly earlier than gemtuzumab ozogamicin (38.21 vs. 40.50 days; P = 0.0093), and gemtuzumab ozogamicin was significantly earlier than trastuzumab emtansine (40.50 vs. 147.50 days; P = 0.0035). We reviewed arrhythmia adverse drug reactions associated with ADCs from the FAERS database. This study is practical for clinicians to enhance the management of arrhythmia associated with ADCs and improve ADCs treatment safety.

Disproportionality analysis of quinolone safety in children using data from the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS)

BACKGROUND

Quinolones are widely prescribed for the treatment or prevention of infectious diseases in children. To gain further insight into quinolone-associated adverse event (AE) in children and better protect pediatric patients, continued surveillance of safety data is essential. The purpose of this study was to characterize the safety profiles of quinolone-associated AEs in children by mining the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS).

METHODS

FAERS reports from quarter 1 of 2004 to quarter 1 of 2022 were included in the study. The Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) was used to identify adverse events. Reporting odds ratios (ROR) corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and information component (IC) along with 95% CIs were calculated to detect drug-AE pairs with higher-than-expected reporting rates within the FAERS from System Organ Classes (SOCs) to Preferred Terms (PTs). Reports were considered as signals if the 95% confidence interval did not contain the null value.

RESULTS

After inclusion criteria were applied, a total of 4,704 reports associated with quinolones were considered. Most FAERS reports associated with ciprofloxacin (N = 2,706) followed by levofloxacin (N = 1,191), moxifloxacin (N = 375), oflaxacin (N = 245) and ozenoxacin (N = 187). The most common age group was 12-18 years. The median weight was 39.0 kilogram. The adverse effects of quinolones emerging for SOCs primarily included Infections and infestations, gastrointestinal symptoms, blood and lymphatic system disorders, cardiac disorders, nervous system disorders, musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders and psychiatric disorders. The most frequently AE signals at the PT level were pyrexia (N = 236), febrile neutropenia (N = 120), off label use (N = 48), drug resistance (N = 18) and cardiac arrest (N = 22) following the use of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, and ozenoxacin, respectively. Serious oznoxacin-associated AE signals were found and have not been documented in the package insert. They included cardiac arrest (N = 22; ROR = 19.83; IC = 3.68), overdose (N = 21; ROR = 4.98; IC = 2.07), seizure (N = 16; ROR = 6.01; IC = 2.29), small for dates baby (N = 9; ROR = 14.7; IC = 3.05), completed suicide (N = 15, ROR = 18.87; IC = 3.51), asthma (N = 9; ROR = 6.69; IC = 2.24;) and hypotension (N = 9; ROR = 3.83; IC = 1.68).

CONCLUSION

This study provided additional evidence with respect to quinolones-related AEs for children. Generally, the findings of this study are compatible with AEs recorded in package inserts. The unexpected signals of ozenoxacin justify active vigilance by clinicians and timely monitoring by pharmacovigilance experts.

Systemic quinolones and risk of retinal detachment I: analysis of data from the US FDA adverse event reporting system

BACKGROUND

Quinolones comprise a class of antibiotics that are globally preferred for treating a wide range of bacterial infections due to their potency, broad coverage, favorable pharmacologic profile, and mostly mild to moderate adverse reactions. Spontaneous reports on adverse drug events (ADE) and data from some pharmacoepidemiologic studies have raised concerns regarding quinolones and risk of retinal detachment (RD). This study examined ADE reports submitted to FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS) for evidence on quinolone-associated RD risk.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We identified all RD reports in FAERS between 2010-2019. We compared ADE signals between quinolones and selected medications that were previously associated with RD, and with reference medications not known to cause RD. For signal detection, we used two techniques: the proportional reporting ratio (PRR) and multi-item gamma Poisson shrinker (MGPS), which are known for their higher sensitivity and specificity for ADE signal detection, respectively.

RESULTS

Moxifloxacin showed a positive and significant PRR signal for RD [PRR: 2.54 (1.60, 4.04)], and a marginally significant EBGM signal [EBGM: 2.21 (1.41, 3.02)].

CONCLUSION

Moxifloxacin is the only quinolone showing a positive disproportionality signal for RD. Further epidemiologic research is needed to clarify the association between moxifloxacin and RD risk.

Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics for Breast Expander/Implant Infection: Treatment-Related Adverse Events and Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Despite best practices, infection remains the most common complication after breast reconstruction with expanders and implants, ranging from 2% to 29%. Empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics are frequently used in nonsurgical treatment of implant-associated infections in an effort to salvage the reconstruction. Pitfalls of antibiotherapy include adverse events, vascular access site complications, and drug resistance. Our goals were to describe management of implant infections with broad-spectrum antibiotics, review treatment related adverse events, and report on outcomes of therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was carried out to identify patients who were treated with intravenous (IV) antibiotics for periprosthetic infection. Patient characteristics, surgical details, and antibiotic therapy-related adverse events were collected. Eventual outcome related to expander/implant salvage was noted.

RESULTS

A total of 101 patients (111 treatment episodes) were identified. Mean duration of antibiotic treatment was 18 days (range, 1-40 days). The most commonly used parenteral treatment was a combination of daptomycin with piperacillin-tazobactam (65%) or an alternative agent (16%). Fifty-nine percent of treatment episodes resulted in salvage of the expander or implant. Thirty-five percent treatment episodes were associated with 1 or more adverse events: diarrhea (12.6%), rash (10%), vaginal candidiasis (3.6%), agranulocytosis/neutropenic fever (3.6%), nausea (3.6%), urinary complaint (0.9%), myositis (0.9%), headache (0.9%), vascular line occlusion (1.8%), deep vein thrombosis (1.8%), and finger numbness (0.9%). No patients developed Clostridium difficile colitis. Five episodes (4%) needed discontinuation of antibiotics because of severe adverse events. The prosthesis was explanted in 3 of the cases of discontinued treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show favorable outcomes and well-tolerated adverse effects with broad-spectrum parenteral antibiotherapy for periprosthetic infection. However, every effort should be made to deescalate therapy by narrowing the spectrum or limiting the duration, to minimize adverse events and development of bacterial resistance. Treating surgeons need to carefully weigh benefits of therapy and be aware of potential complications that might necessitate discontinuation of treatment.

Increased Rates of Rhabdomyolysis in Male Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients Taking Sirolimus and Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) offers long-term cure against early morbidity and mortality of hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease (SCD) and beta-thalassemia. Following HCT, sirolimus is an immunosuppressant used to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) while receiving trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) for Pneumocystis jirovecii prophylaxis and other antimicrobial agents (including acyclovir). One rare adverse event associated with both drugs is rhabdomyolysis, defined as creatine kinase (CK) elevation at least 5 to 10 times the upper limit of normal. This study was conducted to evaluate the rate of and risk factors for developing rhabdomyolysis in the post-HCT setting. Across 4 haploidentical and matched related donor (MRD) nonmyeloablative protocols, CK levels were prospectively monitored and patients were retrospectively identified for rhabdomyolysis. The rhabdomyolysis was graded based on the severity of CK elevation and other organ injury. At diagnosis, patients were queried for concurrent medication use (ie, sirolimus, TMP-SMX, acyclovir, or statins), sex, age, donor genotype, and time from transplantation. Among 127 patients with mostly SCD, rhabdomyolysis occurred in 22 (17%), including 2 recipients of haploidentical donor HCT and 20 recipients of MRD HCT. The time to the development of rhabdomyolysis was 61 and 73 days for the 2 recipients of haploidentical HCT and a median of 73 days for the MRD HCT recipients. Among the 22 patients who developed rhabdomyolysis, 20 (91%) were receiving sirolimus (2 haploidentical HCT recipients and 18 MRD HCT recipients), and 14 (64%) were also receiving TMP-SMX (all in the MRD HCT group). Seventy-five percent of the haploidentical donors and 69% of the MRDs had sickle cell trait. All but 2 patients with rhabdomyolysis were male. No patients who developed rhabdomyolysis were receiving statins at any point. Higher-than-expected rates of rhabdomyolysis were found post-transplantation for patients with SCD and beta-thalassemia. Contributing risk factors included immunosuppression with sirolimus, TMP-SMX, male sex, and sickle trait donor. These factors differ from the excessive muscle strain or injury, seizures, infections, or HMG-CoA inhibitors typically identified in non-HCT recipients.

Iatrogenic Toxicities in the Intensive Care Unit

Drug-induced iatrogenic toxicities are common in critically ill patients and have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Early recognition and management of iatrogenic toxicities is essential; however, the diagnosis is usually complicated by the underlying critical illness, comorbidities, and administration of multiple medications. This article reviews several types of iatrogenic toxicities associated with medications that are commonly used in critically ill patients. The mechanism of the iatrogenic toxicities, clinical presentation, and diagnosis, as well as management are discussed.

Systemic quinolones and risk of acute liver failure I: Analysis of data from the US FDA adverse event reporting system

Background and Aim

Quinolones are a potent and globally popular group of antibiotics that are used to treat a wide range of infections. Some case reports have raised concern about their possible association with acute hepatic failure (AHF). Data from the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System were evaluated for signals of AHF in association with systemically administered quinolone antibiotics.

Methods

AHF reports between 1969 and 2019q2, with a focus on 2010–2019q2, were analyzed. Specifically, AHF reports linked to non‐quinolone antibiotics of known hepatotoxicity were compared to reports with non‐quinolone, non‐hepatotoxic (reference) antibiotics; and AHF reports with quinolones were also compared to reports with the same group of reference antibiotics. Two disproportionality signal detection techniques (proportional reporting ratio, PRR, and empirical Bayes geometric mean, EBGM) were used to assess the AHF signal for both analyses.

Results

Only ciprofloxacin showed a marginal and significant AHF signal (PRR: 1.85 [1.21, 2.81]; EBGM: 1.54 [1.06, 1.81]); moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, and ofloxacin showed weak and nonsignificant signals.

Conclusion

Further pharmacovigilance studies are required to confirm the association between ciprofloxacin and AHF seen in the present analysis.

A "crush" course on rhabdomyolysis: risk stratification and clinical management update for the perioperative clinician

Rhabdomyolysis, the release of myoglobin and other cellular breakdown products from necrotic muscle tissue, is seen in patients with crush injuries, drug overdose, malignant hyperthermia, muscular dystrophy, and with increasing frequency in obese patients undergoing routine procedures. For the perioperative clinician, managing the resultant shock, hyperkalemia, acidosis, and myoglobinuric acute kidney injury can present a significant challenge. Prompt recognition, hydration, and correction of metabolic disturbances may reduce or eliminate the need for long-term renal replacement therapy. This article reviews the pathophysiology and discusses key issues in the perioperative diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of rhabdomyolysis.

Hypoglycemia Associated with Antibiotics Alone and in Combination with Sulfonylureas and Meglitinides: An Epidemiologic Surveillance Study of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS)

INTRODUCTION

Fluoroquinolones, clarithromycin, linezolid, tigecycline, cefditoren, doxycycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are known to be associated with hypoglycemia, but few studies have considered concomitant glucose-lowering medications.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between hypoglycemia and antibiotics using the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), while accounting for concomitant glucose-lowering medications including sulfonylureas and meglitinides.

METHODS

FAERS reports from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2017 were included in the study. Reporting odds ratios (RORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between antibiotics and hypoglycemia were calculated. An association was considered to be statistically significant when the lower limit of the 95% CI was > 1.0.

RESULTS

A total of 2,334,959 reports (including 18,466 hypoglycemia reports) were considered, after inclusion criteria were applied. Statistically significant hypoglycemia RORs (95% CI) for antibiotics were: cefditoren 14.03 (8.93-22.03), tigecycline 3.32 (1.95-5.65), clarithromycin 2.41 (1.89-3.08), ertapenem 2.07 (1.14-3.75), moxifloxacin 2.06 (1.59-2.65), levofloxacin 1.66 (1.37-2.01), and linezolid 1.54 (1.07-2.20). After adjusting for concomitant sulfonylureas and meglitinides, the following antibiotics were still significantly associated with hypoglycemia: cefditoren 14.25 (9.08-22.39), tigecycline 3.34 (1.96-5.68), ertapenem 1.93 (1.03-3.60), and clarithromycin 1.56 (1.15-2.11).

CONCLUSION

In many patients, antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones, are associated with hypoglycemia when they are also taking sulfonylureas or meglitinides. Cefditoren, tigecycline, ertapenem, and clarithromycin are associated with hypoglycemia even if not taken with sulfonylureas or meglitinides. The association between ertapenem and hypoglycemia has not been previously reported.