Impact of EMA regulatory label changes on hydroxyzine initiation, discontinuation and switching to other medicines in Denmark, Scotland, England and the Netherlands: An interrupted time series regression analysis

Abstract Background Hydroxyzine is indicated for the management of anxiety, skin and sleep disorders. In 2015, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) concluded that hydroxyzine was pro‐arrhythmogenic and changes to the product information were implemented in Europe. This study aimed to evaluate their impact in Denmark, Scotland, England and the Netherlands. Method Quarterly time series analyses measuring hydroxyzine initiation, discontinuation, and switching to other antihistamines, benzodiazepines and antidepressants in Denmark, England, Scotland and the Netherlands from 2009 to 2018. Data were... Mehr ...

Verfasser: Morales, Daniel R.
Macfarlane, Tatiana
MacDonald, Thomas M.
Hallas, Jesper
Ernst, Martin Thomsen
Herings, Ron M. C.
Smits, Elisabeth
Overbeek, Jetty A.
Mitchell, Lyn
Morant, Steven
Mackenzie, Isla
Doney, Alexander S. F.
Robertson, Chris
Bennie, Marion
Wei, Li
Nicholson, Lizzie
Morris, Carole
Flynn, Robert W. F.
Dokumenttyp: Artikel
Erscheinungsdatum: 2021
Reihe/Periodikum: Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety ; volume 30, issue 4, page 482-491 ; ISSN 1053-8569 1099-1557
Verlag/Hrsg.: Wiley
Sprache: Englisch
Permalink: https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-29221689
Datenquelle: BASE; Originalkatalog
Powered By: BASE
Link(s) : http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pds.5191

Abstract Background Hydroxyzine is indicated for the management of anxiety, skin and sleep disorders. In 2015, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) concluded that hydroxyzine was pro‐arrhythmogenic and changes to the product information were implemented in Europe. This study aimed to evaluate their impact in Denmark, Scotland, England and the Netherlands. Method Quarterly time series analyses measuring hydroxyzine initiation, discontinuation, and switching to other antihistamines, benzodiazepines and antidepressants in Denmark, England, Scotland and the Netherlands from 2009 to 2018. Data were analysed using interrupted time series regression. Results Hydroxyzine initiation in quarter one 2010 in Denmark, Scotland, England and the Netherlands per 100 000 was: 23.5, 91.5, 35.9 and 34.4 respectively. Regulatory action was associated with a significant: immediate fall in hydroxyzine initiation per 100 000 in England (−12.05, 95%CI −18.47 to −5.63) and Scotland (−19.01, 95%CI −26.99 to −11.02); change to a negative trend in hydroxyzine initiation per 100 000/quarter in England (−1.72, 95%CI −2.69 to −0.75) and Scotland (−2.38, 95%CI −3.32 to −1.44). Regulatory action was associated with a significant: immediate rise in hydroxyzine discontinuation per 100 000 in England (3850, 95%CI 440‐7240). No consistent changes were observed in the Netherlands or Denmark. Regulatory action was associated with no switching to other antihistamines, benzodiazepines or antidepressants following hydroxyzine discontinuation in any country. Conclusion The 2015 EMA regulatory action was associated with heterogeneous impact with reductions in hydroxyzine initiation varying by country. There was limited impact on discontinuation with no strong evidence suggesting unintended consequences of major switching to other antihistamines, benzodiazepines or antidepressants.