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The relationship between dosing of alosetron and discontinuation patterns reported by patients participating in a follow‐up programme
Author(s) -
TENNIS P.,
ANDREWS E.,
HICKMAN P.,
MILLER D.,
HOLLIS K.,
COOK S.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.03198.x
Subject(s) - medicine , discontinuation , dosing , dose , pediatrics
Summary Background Alosetron was reintroduced for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with a risk management programme in November 2002. Recommended starting dosage was 1 mg/day for 4 weeks. If symptoms remained uncontrolled, dosage could be changed to 2 mg/day. Aim To describe alosetron dosages and associated patient characteristics from the Lotronex follow‐up survey programme. Methods Patients reported dosages of alosetron at start and regular follow‐up intervals. Analyses were limited to patients with the potential to have at least 1 year of follow‐up (enrolled between 9 December 2002 and 31 December 2003). Results At baseline, 75% of 2817 respondents reported starting on 1 mg/day, 17% on 2 mg/day and 8% on other doses. Adherence to recommended starting dosage did not vary by status at end of follow‐up, previous alosetron experience or age. At last reported dose, 50% of respondents were using 1 mg/day; 29% were using 2 mg/day. Discontinuation was not related to baseline doses. Longer times to discontinuation were associated with previous use, symptoms for more than 6 months and dose change throughout follow‐up. Conclusions High adherence to recommended dosing at baseline and follow‐up suggests that the risk management programme is encouraging safe use of alosetron, including adherence to dosing recommendations.