Prescription patterns of ambrisentan in some cities of Colombia

• Published in: The clinical respiratory journal 2024-03, Vol.18 (3), p.e13736-n/a
• Main Authors: Valladales-Restrepo, Luis Fernando, Gaviria-Mendoza, Andrés, Machado-Duque, Manuel Enrique, Vallejos-Narváez, Álvaro, Machado-Alba, Jorge Enrique
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ambrisentan; Colombia; Combination therapy; hypertension; medication adherence; Original; pharmacoepidemiology; pulmonary; Pulmonary hypertension
• ISSN: 1752-6981; 1752-699X; 1752-699X
• DOI: 10.1111/crj.13736

Ambrisentan is a selective type A endothelin receptor antagonist that has shown significant effectiveness and safety in the management of patients with pulmonary hypertension. Its use pattern with real-world evidence in Colombia is unknown. The objective of this study is to determine the prescription patterns of ambrisentan in some cities of Colombia. A longitudinal descriptive study on the prescription patterns of ambrisentan in patients with pulmonary hypertension (all the groups) was conducted between January 2021 and December 2022 based on a population database of members of the Colombian Health System. Adherence at 1 year was determined using the Medication Possession Ratio (days the drug was dispensed/days from first dispensing to the end of the follow-up period × 100). Descriptive analysis was carried out. Sixty-seven patients taking ambrisentan were identified in 10 cities of the country. The individuals had a median age of 51.5 years (interquartile range-IQR: 39.8-64.0 years), and 82.1% were women. The drug possession rate was 82.2% (IQR: 65.0-96.8%), and persistence at 1 year was present in 49.3% (n = 33) of the cases. The average dose was 8.8 ± 5.0 mg/day, and 76.1% (n = 51) received it in combination therapy, mainly with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (61.2%, n = 41). Adherence to ambrisentan was good, but its persistence at 1 year was low. The dosages of the drug used were in accordance with the recommendations of the clinical practice guidelines, and it was used in combination therapy, especially with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors.