Analysis of Adherence to Fluoxetine Treatment through its Plasma Concentration

Depression plays an important role in non-adherence to medical recommendations. Fluoxetine is a first line of depression treatment. This study aimed to evaluate adherence to drug therapy in fluoxetine users by different methods. A cross-section study was conducted with 53 depressed patients on fluox...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Raasch, Juliana Raquel, Vargas, Tainara Gomes, Hahn, Roberta Ziles, da Silva, Anne Caroline Cezimbra, Antunes, Marina Venzon, Linden, Rafael, Betti, Andresa Heemann, Perassolo, Magda Susana, Schmidt dos Santos, Andressa
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:Brasil
Institución:Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
Repositorio:Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:revistas.usp.br:article/208313
Acceso en línea:https://www.revistas.usp.br/bjps/article/view/208313
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Adherence to treatment
Fluoxetine
Norfluoxetine
BMQ
Morisky-Green
Plasma concentration
Descripción
Sumario:Depression plays an important role in non-adherence to medical recommendations. Fluoxetine is a first line of depression treatment. This study aimed to evaluate adherence to drug therapy in fluoxetine users by different methods. A cross-section study was conducted with 53 depressed patients on fluoxetine for at least six months. Drug therapy adherence was assessed by validated questionnaires [Brief Medication Questionnaire (BMQ) and Morisky-Green test (MG)] and by the blood concentration of fluoxetine and its active metabolite norfluoxetine. Blood samples were taken before the daily first dose of fluoxetine. The plasmatic concentration of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine indicated that 58.5% volunteers were within the recommended therapeutic range and thus considered adherent to drug therapy. However, questionnaires indicated a non-adherent majority: 41.5% patients had a high degree of adherence in MG and only 13.2% were adherent to pharmacological treatment in BMQ. Most fluoxetine users showed a plasma concentration of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine within the therapeutic range, despite the low adherence to the drug therapy evaluated by the questionnaires. Thus, we suggest that plasma levels of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine could be used as the main method to check adherence to treatment.