INTRODUCTION

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent challenges in social interaction and communication, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. “Autism” has evolved from the early 1900s, when it was originally described as childhood schizophrenia in the first and second editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).¹ Autism was classified as an independent condition in the DSM-III in 1980. The DSM-IV in 1994 was the first to recognize autism as a spectrum with various distinct diagnoses. In 2013, the DSM-V consolidated autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified, and childhood disintegrative disorder into the term known as autism spectrum disorder.²

 

The change in terminology has left many healthcare providers unsure about how to talk with and about people who have ASD. Researchers from the United Kingdom surveyed 654 English-speaking adults with ASD around the world to determine their preferences.³ Regardless of country, participants tended to favor the terms autism, autistic person, is autistic, neurological/brain difference, differences, challenges, difficulties, neurotypical people, and neurotypicals. Thus, the researchers were unable to find a universally accepted vernacular to talk about autism.³ Perhaps the best way to determine how to describe a patient with ASD is to ask how they themselves prefer to discuss their condition.

 

The term neurotypical is closely related to the term neurodiverse, and the SIDEBAR describes this relatively new term.

 

SIDEBAR: Neurodiversity^4-7

Medical insight and social changes in the perception of developmental disorders and neurodevelopmental trajectories, including the autism spectrum, have led to a changing vocabulary and a deeper appreciation of what is “normal.” Increasingly, we understand that human development is neurodiverse, meaning all individuals develop and behave differently. The concept of neurodiversity promotes the idea that people who have neurological limitations also have strengths, and that accommodating their differences as early in life as possible can be beneficial to the individual and to society at large. This is an empathetic, humanistic, tolerant approach.

 

It's now clear that people with ASD are often skilled in working with systems and finding patterns in complex data or material. This makes them good candidates to work in technology and manufacturing if an employer can accommodate an individual’s needs (e.g., quiet or dimly lit spaces, private or uncrowded work areas). People with dyslexia are often better than others at identifying peripheral or diffuse visual information or processing blurry visual scenes, making them excellent candidates for jobs that engage three-dimensional thinking (e.g., computer graphics, engineering, genetics, or molecular biology). Similarly, people with Williams syndrome (a rare genetic condition that affects physical features, development, and cardiovascular health), Down syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome (a rare genetic disorder causing weak muscles, poor feeding, and slow development in infants followed by constant hunger in childhood), tend to be more musical, more friendly, and more nurturing than others, respectively. Researchers have also connected specific strengths to other neurologic and intellectual disability diagnoses.

 

The origin of these strengths and limitations is probably linked to evolutionary adaptation. Being able to focus on patterns and systems, as seen in ASD, likely helped early humans in hunting and gathering societies. They were able to respond quickly to environmental stimuli and move in an appropriate direction when they identified potential prey. A famous quote comes from the autism activist Temple Grandin, who has autism. She has said, “Some guy with high functioning Asperger's developed the first stone spear; it wasn't developed by the social ones yakking around the campfire.”

 

The bottom line is that appreciating and respecting neurodiversity is kind and reasonable. Another quote from Temple Grandin explains it well: “Nature is cruel, but we don't have to be.”

 

Prevalence rates of ASD are reported to be approximately 1% worldwide (i.e., affecting 1 in 100 people), with comparable figures observed in samples of children and adults.⁸ Prevalence estimates have increased over time and vary greatly within and across socioeconomic and demographic groups. ASD is diagnosed four times more often in males than females.²

 

PAUSE AND PONDER: How many symptoms of autism spectrum disorder can you list before you continue reading?

 

Diagnosing ASD

According to the DSM-V, diagnosis of ASD requires persistent deficits in all three areas of social communication and interaction, in addition to at least two of four types of restricted, repetitive behaviors. Table 1 lists ASD’s core characteristics and symptoms.

 

Table 1. Symptoms of ASD²

Social Communication Deficits

Restricted/Repetitive Behaviors

1) Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity ·        Reduced sharing of interests ·        Struggles with emotional recognition   2) Deficits in non-verbal communication ·        Aversion to eye contact ·        Abnormal body language/facial expressions   3) Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships ·        Scripted speech/taking language literally ·        Difficulty in sharing imaginative play ·        Difficulty making friends ·        Absence of interest in peers

1) Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech ·        Arranging objects meticulously ·        Echolalia (meaningless word repetition) ·        Stereotypical movements like hand-flapping   2) Hypo- or hyper-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory input ·        Apparent indifference to pain/temperature ·        Adverse response to sounds or textures ·        Excessive smelling/touching of objects ·        Visual fascination with lights or movement   3) Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus ·        Expecting others to share their interests ·        Strong attachment to unusual objects   4) Insistence on sameness, inflexibility in routines, or ritualized patterns of behavior ·        Discomfort with change

 

Symptoms must be present in early development, cause clinically significant impairment in functioning, and cannot be attributable to intellectual disability or developmental delay. Since ASD is a spectrum, symptoms, severity, and treatment response vary widely among children and adults. Severity is categorized into three levels, described in Table 2.²

 

Table 2. Level of Severity of ASD²

Severity	Social Communication	Restricted/Repetitive Behaviors
Level 1   Requiring support	Noticeable impairments in social communication without support, difficulty initiating social interactions and exhibiting atypical or unsuccessful responses to social cues, possible decreased interest in social interactions   Example: Able to speak full sentences, engages in communications, but social conversation attempts are odd/unsuccessful	Rigid behavior significantly disrupts functioning in various contexts, challenges transitioning between activities, difficulty with organization and planning
Level 2   Requiring substantial support	Marked deficits in verbal/nonverbal social communication skills, social impairments apparent even with support, limited initiation of social interactions, reduced/abnormal responses to social approaches from others   Example: Speaks simple sentences, interaction limited to narrow special interests, odd nonverbal communication	Difficulty coping with change and showing obvious restricted/repetitive behaviors that interfere with functioning in multiple contexts, distress/difficulty switching focus
Level 3   Requiring very substantial support	Severe deficits in verbal/nonverbal social communication skills, severe impairments in functioning, very limited initiation of social interactions, minimal response to social cues from others   Example: Few words of intelligible speech, rarely initiates interaction, makes unusual approaches to meet needs only and responds to only very direct social approaches	Inflexibility of behavior, extreme difficulty coping with change, restricted/repetitive behaviors significantly interfere with functioning in all contexts, great distress/difficulty changing focus or action

 

Prognosis

One concern for many people with ASD and their caregivers is long-term prognosis. A recent systematic review looked at data from 16 small studies (two randomized, 14 non-randomized).⁹ Only three of the included studies enrolled more than 100 participants, limiting the ability to draw conclusions, but researchers found that early intervention improved children’s prognosis considerably.

 

Children who received intervention before 2 years of age were more likely to improve their cognition, social skills, and stereotyped behaviors than others. They needed less monitoring at school and were better able to function and integrate socially. These researchers noted that healthcare providers often fail to offer early intervention for four reasons⁹:

• Many healthcare providers are unfamiliar with the necessary screening, diagnosis, and intervention tools for ASD
• Early intervention involves many different strategies and is costly
• Involving parents in early intervention programs is difficult
• It’s difficult to recognize ASD’s signs in toddlers younger than 2 years

 

ASD CASE PRESENTATION

John, a 10-year-old boy with ASD, enters the community pharmacy with his mother to pick up his prescription for aripiprazole 10 mg tablets. His agitation due to the bright lights and loud chatter from other customers becomes immediately apparent to the pharmacy team. They notice several visible signs and hear auditory cues that indicate his discomfort and distress in the environment. John's body tenses up, with rigid posture and fidgety movements, and his hands are clenched tightly as he paces and rocks back and forth. His facial expressions—furrowed brows and widened eyes—convey distress, and his vocalizations include whimpers and "I don't like it here." Additionally, John exhibits repetitive behaviors such as hand-flapping and tapping his mother. He attempts to retreat from the situation by seeking refuge behind his mother. Understanding his sensitivity to sensory input, the pharmacy team must respond with patience, empathy, and sensitivity to ensure John feels supported and safe during his visit. In addition, John’s mother will appreciate empathy and accommodation.

 

Strategies for Support

Pharmacists can employ their medication expertise to help the healthcare team, families, and patients improve ASD management. As John’s description indicates, patients with ASD are often sensitive to sensory input like noise, light, and crowded environments.¹⁰ Pharmacists should recognize how a pharmacy setup can affect patients, potentially hindering communication. Offering to move to a quiet, dimly lit, private space (e.g., the consultation or vaccination area) for counseling helps accommodate sensory sensitivities.

 

When communicating with patients with ASD, pharmacists should consider the patient's level of autonomy and assess the need to interact primarily with the patient or the caregiver. Communication strategies can include using simplified language, direct communication, and patients' names to engage them and aid comprehension. Providing training to pharmacy staff on ASD can help pharmacists and technicians to serve these patients better.¹⁰

 

Putting Strategies in Action

The pharmacist, Keith, addresses John by name, acknowledges his discomfort, and minimizes distractions to create a more calming environment to put John at ease. For example, “Hello, John. I’m your pharmacist, and my name is Keith. It’s noisy out here. Would you like to move to a quieter room?” A technician familiar with the patient can also make this suggestion as soon as the patient arrives.

 

Keith also involves caregivers in the discussion, ensures they understand the medication instructions, and addresses any concerns they may have. He also reassures them of his availability for further assistance by saying, “I’m glad we talked about your medications today. If you have questions, you can stop in or call. I’m generally here Tuesday through Saturday, and my coworker Suzanne covers when I’m not here.”

 

By implementing these strategies, community pharmacists and technicians can improve the patient care experience for individuals with ASD.¹⁰

 

ASD TREATMENT

ASD is complex, and treatment often involves a multidisciplinary approach targeting various symptoms and challenges.¹¹ Although there is no outright “cure,” effective interventions may enhance functioning of children and adults with ASD. Pillars of treatment include behavioral therapies, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, educational support, and sometimes medication management.

 

Behavioral therapy (e.g., applied behavioral analysis) involves creating a structured behavioral plan to improve adaptive skills and reduce inappropriate behaviors by studying affected individuals' functional difficulties systematically. Speech and language therapy is an integral part of ASD treatment for many children. Speech therapy targets difficulty with social communication and language development, which are some of ASD's core symptoms. Language therapy may employ visual supports like picture cards, augmentative and alternative communication devices, and teaching sign language (e.g., American Sign Language). Occupational therapy focuses on enhancing individuals' ability to participate in everyday activities and improve their quality of life. It typically addresses sensory processing issues, motor skill development, self-care skills, social interaction, and coping strategies, aiming to promote independence and function in various environments.¹¹

 

ASD treatment involves a multidisciplinary care team comprising professionals such as specialists, psychologists, pediatricians, paraprofessionals, and educators; ideally, team members collaborate to address individuals’ diverse needs and provide comprehensive support and intervention.¹¹

 

ASD Treatment Guidelines

Several treatment guidelines are available for ASD. The United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published ASD guidelines for both children under 19 years old and adults.^12,13 The Canadian Pharmacists Journal published ASD practice guidelines specifically for pharmacists. The latter guideline outlines strategies for effective communication and discusses how the community pharmacy team can create a welcoming environment for people with autism and their caregivers.¹⁰

 

Community pharmacists and technicians often encounter patients with diverse needs, including those with ASD. To provide optimal care, it's crucial to understand patients’ unique challenges and tailor services accordingly. Let's look at a case that highlights the importance of accommodating a patient with ASD in the pharmacy setting.

 

Pharmacologic Interventions

Pharmacotherapy for ASD primarily focuses on managing symptoms rather than directly targeting core features.⁸ However, many challenges exist in this area, including limited efficacy and evidence, adverse effects, individual variability, lack of targeted therapies, and long-term monitoring. Prescribers should consider that children with ASD often have heightened sensitivity to medication and are more prone to adverse reactions compared to neurotypical children. It is advisable to initiate pharmacologic treatment at lower doses and increase gradually based on response and tolerability. It's crucial to gather objective symptom measures from various sources both before and after intervention to assess treatment response accurately across different settings.⁸

 

Another major hurdle lies in addressing co-occurring disorders that often accompany ASD, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, epilepsy, sleep disorders, and more. These additional conditions complicate treatment approaches, requiring tailored interventions to address unique needs. Very limited evidence supports the effectiveness of many medications used to manage ASD symptoms.¹⁴

 

The lack of medications specifically targeting core ASD symptoms and the limited efficacy data for various medications present barriers to identifying effective treatment strategies. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that integrates pharmacologic interventions with behavioral, educational, and supportive therapies personalized to the individual's specific needs and circumstances. Additionally, ongoing research is crucial to advance our understanding of ASD and to develop more effective and targeted pharmacological treatments in the future.¹⁴

 

Most medications for ASD are used off-label and few United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs are available for specific symptom management. Medications used may include atypical antipsychotics, stimulants, serotonergic drugs, alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists, anticonvulsants, and many others.¹⁴

 

Atypical Antipsychotics

Prescribers often use atypical antipsychotics for irritability associated with ASD. Currently, the FDA has approved only two medications for treatment of irritability associated with ASD: risperidone and aripiprazole.^15,16 Both are atypical (second generation) antipsychotics and exert effects through dopamine, 5-HT (serotonin), alpha-adrenergic, and histaminergic receptors in the brain.

 

Clinical trials have demonstrated effectiveness of these drugs in reducing irritability and, to a lesser extent, repetitive behaviors. They share similar safety profiles, with common adverse effects including fatigue, increased appetite, gastrointestinal symptoms, hyperprolactinemia, weight gain, and sedation. Less common adverse effects include restlessness and akathisia (inability to remain still). Serious adverse effects such as dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, metabolic syndrome, and extrapyramidal symptoms (e.g., involuntary movements, muscle stiffness, tremors) or drug-induced movement disorders have also been reported, necessitating close clinical and laboratory monitoring.¹⁴

 

Risperidone is FDA-approved for treatment of ASD-associated irritability in children and adolescents aged 5 to 16 years.¹⁵ Studies have demonstrated that risperidone may effectively improve core symptoms of ASD, including communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. Non-core symptoms such as aggression, tantrums, and self-injurious behaviors also improved based on various behavioral rating scales. Risperidone is generally well-tolerated and safe, with the most common adverse effect being mild, self-limiting weight gain. In one small study of 97 children treated with risperidone over a 6-month period, participants gained an average of 5.4 kg over 24 weeks. At baseline, 59 of the 97 children (60.8%) had normal weight status. By week 24, only 25 of the remaining 85 children (29.4%) maintained normal weights.¹⁷ In adults with ASD, adverse cognitive effects have not been observed in patients treated with risperidone for other psychiatric disorders. However, further exploration is needed regarding the efficacy of risperidone in adults with ASD.¹⁸

 

Aripiprazole is FDA-approved for treatment of ASD-associated irritability in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years old.¹⁶ Short-term studies have shown that aripiprazole can improve irritability, hyperactivity, and repetitive behaviors in children and adolescents with ASD compared to placebo. However, researchers have not observed improvement in lethargy or withdrawal symptoms. Aripiprazole use was associated with higher rates of movement disorders such as tremors and muscle rigidity. While aripiprazole may offer benefits, weight gain and neurological adverse effects like involuntary movements can limit its use. Regular monitoring of symptoms and adverse effects is recommended, and further research is needed to evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of aripiprazole in treating ASD.¹⁹

 

Other atypical antipsychotics occasionally used off-label for ASD include olanzapine, quetiapine, and ziprasidone. Providers generally avoid first generation antipsychotics due to the higher risk of movement-related adverse effects.¹⁴

 

Revisiting John’s Case

John's ASD is graded at Level 2—needing substantial support. He requires a range of support services tailored to his individual needs to thrive. For instance, John may benefit from behavioral interventions aimed at addressing his irritability and other behavioral challenges associated with his autism. These interventions could include strategies to manage his sensory sensitivities, develop coping skills, and enhance social communication. Additionally, providing John with structured routines and visual supports, such as clear schedules and visual cues, can help him navigate daily activities more effectively and reduce anxiety. Given his sensitivity to sensory stimuli, providing sensory accommodations like a quiet space or sensory tools (e.g., noise-canceling headphones) can aid in regulating his sensory experiences and minimizing agitation.

 

Moreover, John's prescription for aripiprazole indicates the need for medication management to address his irritability. Keeping in mind that John is 10 years old and in a period of rapid growth, it's crucial for the pharmacy team to monitor his height and weight regularly. The pharmacy team must inquire about any recent changes in his behavior or symptoms. The reason: the two atypical antipsychotics approved for irritability have similarities and differences that are critical to recognize, and with weight changes, the dose may require adjustments. The pharmacy team can support John's family, particularly his mother, with referral to resources such as parent training programs and support groups that can help them navigate the challenges associated with caring for a child with ASD. John can receive the assistance he needs to thrive and lead a fulfilling life with these comprehensive supports in place.

 

PAUSE AND PONDER: How many children with ASD receive care from your pharmacy? What behaviors do you see and hear?

 

Stimulants

Clinicians often prescribe stimulants to manage hyperactivity and inattention in ASD and co-existing ADHD. Two main classes of stimulants are commonly used in ADHD: amphetamines and methylphenidate derivatives.¹⁴ Prior to initiating stimulant therapy, clinicians must evaluate patients' medical and family histories and conduct a comprehensive physical exam focused on cardiovascular health. Ongoing monitoring for common adverse effects, such as appetite changes and sleep disturbances, is imperative, and it is essential to assess adolescent patients for risk of substance use or misuse before treatment initiation.

 

Amphetamine formulations include amphetamine-dextroamphetamine, dextroamphetamine, amphetamine sulfate, amphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine. Research suggests that amphetamines tend to be slightly more effective in reducing ADHD symptoms than methylphenidate, but they are also less tolerable. In a systematic review of data from more than 10,000 neurotypical individuals (i.e., children, adolescents, and adults without ASD), researchers found that amphetamines were more efficacious in reducing ADHD symptoms, although they were less well-tolerated than both placebo and methylphenidate in children and adolescents.²⁰

 

Methylphenidate products come in various formulations including immediate- and extended-release tablets or capsules, a transdermal patch, an extended-release liquid, and orally disintegrating tablets. Short-term treatment with methylphenidate has shown some benefit in improving hyperactivity, inattention, and other ADHD symptoms in children with ASD, but studies are small. The largest has enrolled just 66 children.²¹ Nonetheless, no evidence showed improvement in core ASD symptoms or social interaction. Additionally, while some children with ASD responded positively to methylphenidate, a significant number experienced adverse effects such as irritability, repetitive behaviors, insomnia, and reduced appetite.¹⁴

 

Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonists

Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists—including guanfacine and clonidine—are commonly used in ADHD management for younger children. Evidence exists regarding the off-label use of alpha-2 adrenergic agonists in alleviating some symptoms of ASD, so some providers use them off label for this condition. Clinicians commonly prescribe these for children younger than 5 years old with ADHD or hyperarousal (intense, rapid, and often overwhelming emotional responses). These medications are also useful in cases when patients have poor responses to stimulants or selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (e.g., atomoxetine) or when patients have significant co-occurring conditions like sleep issues that preclude stimulant use.

 

Research on the use of alpha-2-adrenergic agonists in ASD is limited to a few small studies.¹⁴ Guanfacine has been shown to be safe and effective in managing hyperactivity and impulsiveness in children with ASD. Common adverse effects of guanfacine include sedation, constipation, irritability, and aggression, but they are generally better tolerated than stimulant medications.¹⁴

 

PAUSE AND PONDER: What kinds of questions should you ask caregivers when they present a new prescription for a patient with ASD? What information do they need to know (but might not think about)?

 

Other Medications with Limited Supporting Data

Several medications have been explored with limited evidence in ASD management. These include various serotonergic medications (selective norepinephrine receptor inhibitors [SNRIs] and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs]), anticonvulsants, gabapentin, and trazodone.

 

Researchers have looked at SNRIs and SSRIs to treat difficult behaviors in ASD. Venlafaxine has been proven beneficial as an adjunct treatment for self-injurious behaviors, aggression, and ADHD symptoms in children and adults with ASD, particularly when administered at doses lower than those typically used for depression.²² Conversely, duloxetine (also an SNRI) did not demonstrate any additional advantages in addressing comorbid symptoms and behaviors associated with ASD when compared to alternative antidepressants.²²

 

SSRIs can be helpful in patients with comorbid anxiety, which is very common with ASD. However, clinical trials assessing the SSRIs citalopram and fluoxetine found them to have low tolerability and limited effectiveness in addressing repetitive behaviors.²³

 

Anticonvulsants, also known as antiepileptic drugs, are sometimes used off-label in the treatment of certain ASD symptoms. While these medications are primarily indicated for seizure management, they may also be prescribed to address co-occurring conditions such as epilepsy, aggression, irritability, and repetitive behaviors in individuals with ASD. Examples of anticonvulsants studied or used in ASD treatment include valproic acid (valproate), lamotrigine, levetiracetam, and topiramate.¹⁴ However, the evidence supporting anticonvulsants' efficacy in treating ASD symptoms remains limited, and healthcare professionals should consider the use of these drugs carefully and monitor closely for potential adverse effects and individual variability in response. ¹⁴

 

Limited research suggests that carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, levetiracetam, and topiramate may exacerbate hyperactivity, mood disturbances, psychotic symptoms, and other psychiatric or behavioral issues in individuals with ASD.²⁴ These effects appear most common with levetiracetam. Evidence is inconclusive on the role of anticonvulsants in ASD in the absence of epilepsy, but there always remains potential for specific cases. Further research is needed to better understand the safety and effectiveness of anticonvulsants in ASD treatment and to identify subgroups of individuals who may benefit most from this approach.

 

Off-label use of gabapentin and trazodone for ASD presents significant patient safety concerns. Despite lacking FDA approval for this indication, these drugs are increasingly prescribed, leading to adverse drug reactions.²⁵ Gabapentin is often used off-label to address anxiety and occasionally behavioral problems. Gabapentin can also cause central nervous system depression. Its use in ASD is poorly studied, with one study that enrolled just 23 children (mean age 7.2) with various neurologic diagnoses finding that 78% of children had improved sleep at doses of 5 mg/kg 30 to 40 minutes before bedtime.²⁶ However, further research is required to substantiate these findings.²⁶

 

Very limited evidence supports using trazodone to manage irritability, but many individuals with ASD still use it, as sleep disturbances are very common. Safety considerations exist, as trazodone poses risks of overdose-related complications, including arrhythmias, respiratory arrest, coma, and the rare but serious condition of priapism. Overprescribing of these medications is increasing and not backed by evidence, especially in ASD. Cautious prescribing practices and thorough patient education are needed to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals with ASD using gabapentin and trazodone.

 

As mentioned, sleep problems are common in children with ASD. In fact, between 40% and 80% of children with ASD develop them.²⁷ For many children, insomnia is the problem, but other children develop parasomnias (e.g., sleep talking, sleepwalking, sleep terrors), or circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders. Prescribers have various options available to treat insomnia, but in autism, the largest body of work describes the use of melatonin to improve sleep onset and maintenance. Research suggests using lowest doses (1 to 2 mg) and titrating upward gradually.^28,29

 

John Develops Insomnia

Once again, John and his mother visit the pharmacy to fill a prescription. His mom says that although they have a very structured schedule and John's regular bedtime is 9:00 PM, John has difficulty falling asleep and is often awake and moving around in his room for long periods of time. His mom says, “Recently, it feels like he's awake all night long and his symptoms are worse when he doesn't get enough sleep. It's a vicious cycle.” She looks exhausted; a key issue when children with ASD develop sleep disorders is that the entire family often loses sleep.

 

Mom also reports that her primary care provider has counseled her on ways to help John get to sleep, including discouraging behaviors that interrupt sleep, using positive reinforcement when John is actively trying to sleep, and employing relaxation techniques. She says that she moved his bedtime to 11:00 PM and he has been a little bit sleepier. Her plan is to move John’s bedtime 15 minutes earlier each week. Regardless, John and his entire family still need additional help with this issue. John’s mother indicates that the prescriber told her to speak with the pharmacist so she can find the most reliable melatonin product. That’s a prudent recommendation, since many supplements are mislabeled or unreliable.²⁸

 

PHARMACY IMPLICATIONS

Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and the community pharmacy setting serve as essential components of healthcare for patients with ASD and their families. The pharmacy team can address concerns, provide encouragement, and ensure parents and caregivers feel equipped to manage medication administration effectively. Pharmacists can provide counseling and technicians can offer support to help caregivers confidently manage medication regimens for patients with ASD, ensuring better adherence and improved healthcare outcomes. Table 3 lists important reminders for the pharmacy team.

 

Table 3. Best Interventions for Children with ASD at the Pharmacy^10,30,31

 

• Anticipate that you will provide care for patients with ASD and identify a calm area where you can council without noise or distraction
• Accept that some parents do not want to take any more time in a store (pharmacy or not) than they must, and try to accommodate them
• At every visit, ask if anything has changed since the last visit and record an updated height and weight (especially if the patient is on a medication dosed by weight)
• If parents struggle with administering medications to children with ASD
  • Provide tailored support and education, offer clear and concise medication instructions using visual aids and use simplified language
  • Recommend dosage forms like liquids or chewable tablets to ease administration challenges
  • Offer customized packaging options such as unit-dose blister packs or pre-filled syringes proactively to simplify dosing and organization
  • Help parents and caregivers create visual medication schedules or reward systems to reduce anxiety during medication administration
• Encourage parents and caregivers to keep a diary of symptoms so they can monitor the patient’s response to newly prescribed medications
• Remember that stimulants, gabapentin, and trazodone have been linked to abuse and all families need to be reminded to store these drugs securely
  • In some states, gabapentin is a controlled substance

 

Pharmacists are a valuable drug information resource and adept at assessing existing evidence to help patients with ASD and their families make well-informed decisions. Pharmacy involvement is invaluable in providing optimal care and support for this patient population.

The Future of Treating ASD

The future of pharmacologic treatment for ASD holds promise but also faces significant challenges. Continued research into ASD's underlying neurobiologic mechanisms may lead to the development of more targeted interventions tailored to address specific symptoms and subtypes of the disorder. Additionally, advancements in genetic testing and biomarker identification could enable personalized treatment approaches, optimizing efficacy while minimizing adverse effects.

 

Large-scale clinical trials and collaborative research efforts to evaluate treatment effectiveness comprehensively are needed. Ultimately, the future of medication therapy for ASD will depend on the ability to integrate advancements with a nuanced understanding of individual differences and needs of patients with ASD.¹⁴

 

CONCLUSION

While progress has been made in understanding and treating ASD, significant challenges remain. A comprehensive approach combining behavioral interventions, therapies, and pharmacotherapy tailored to individual needs is essential for improving outcomes in individuals with ASD. Continued research efforts are necessary to develop more effective and evidence-based treatments for this complex disorder. Temple Grandin explains it well: “A treatment method or an educational method that will work for one child may not work for another child. The one common denominator for all of the young children is that early intervention does work, and it seems to improve the prognosis.”

 

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INTRODUCTION

Many years ago, I dined with a large man who looked as if he had lost a substantial amount of weight. He ordered meat and vegetables and explained to me that he had eliminated most carbohydrates from his diet. As a result of dietary changes, he was able to discontinue his diabetes medication. As a pharmacist, this concept of treating a disease with lifestyle changes, rather than medication, left a profound impact.

 

Globally, diabetes mellites is the ninth major cause of death. This epidemic has quadrupled in the past 30 years, affecting about one in 11 adults.¹ Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounts for approximately 90% of diabetes mellitus diagnoses.¹ Traditionally, treatment goals focused on hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) and blood glucose levels to treat T2DM. However, the incidence of diabetes and diabetic complications continues to rise despite the many hypoglycemic medications on the market.^2,3 Many older hypoglycemics can lead to weight gain, conflicting with the treatment goal of decreasing body mass.⁴ Optimizing diet, nutrition, and physical exercise are important treatment components, but patients may find this challenging. The healthcare team can supply the necessary support to optimize therapy. If lifestyle modifications and traditional treatments are ineffective, newer T2DM medications offer novel treatment approaches that potentially improve overall patient outcomes.

 

Prevalence and Risk Factors

The global adult prevalence of diabetes is significant and varies by several factors⁵:

• Overall, approximately 6.1%
• Males 6.5%
• Females 5.8%
• Older adults between the ages of 65 and 95 years, over 20%
• Adults in their late 70’s (75 to 79 years) 24.4%.

 

In 76.5% of those with T2DM, research found risk factors were present, with high body mass index (BMI) being the primary risk factor for T2DM worldwide. Other risk factors included dietary risks, environmental or occupational risks, tobacco use, low physical activity, and alcohol use.⁵

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Diabetes Statistics Report (2023), in the United States in 2019, 8.7% of the population had diagnosed diabetes. Its prevalence also varied by ethnicity⁶:

• Native Americans and Alaska Natives 14.5%
• Non-Hispanic blacks 12.1%
• Hispanics 11.8%
• Non-Hispanic Asians 9.5%
• Non-Hispanic whites 7.4%.

 

People with less than a high school education were more likely to have diabetes (13.4%) than those with a high school education (9.2%) and those with more than a high school education (7.1%). Below the federal poverty level, the prevalence was 13.7% for men and 14.4% for women. The percentages vary depending on the affected individuals’ eating and exercise habits, age, ethnicity, culture, location, education level, and economic status.⁶

 

Diagnosis

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Professional Practice Committee Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes, clinicians diagnose T2DM according to one of the following criteria⁷:

1. A fasting plasma glucose level of 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher
2. A 2-hour plasma glucose level of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher during a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test
3. A random plasma glucose of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher in a patient with classic symptoms of hyperglycemia or hyperglycemic crisis
4. A HbA1c level of 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or higher.

 

Glycemic Goals

Clinicians in all walks of practice use guidelines to monitor glycemic status in patients with diabetes. Assessing glycemic status at least two times annually in patients who have stable glycemic control is sufficient. Assessment of glycemic status involves one or more of the following⁸:

• Monitoring HbA1c status
• Employing a continuous glucose monitoring device with time in range monitoring
• Using a device containing a glucose management indicator.

 

The ADA recommends quarterly HbA1c monitoring for those with less stable glycemic control.^8,9 The HbA1c goal for most nonpregnant adults is 7% if the patient experiences no significant hypoglycemia. If the patient uses ambulatory glucose management, a target goal of 6.5% may be suitable. Less stringent HbA1c goals of up to 8% may be appropriate for patients with limited life expectancy or if treatment harm outweighs its benefits. When patients experience unexplained hypoglycemia, providing prompt hypoglycemia avoidance education or raising the glycemic targets are essential interventions, especially in patients with low cognition or declining cognition.⁹

 

COMMON COMORBIDITIES

Frequently, patients with T2DM have comorbidities. A review study analyzed patients with T2DM at varying times from diagnosis to identify the dominant multimorbidity cluster types. The study found that three condition clusters appeared consistently^10-13:

 

1. Cardiometabolic precursor conditions are common at diagnosis of T2DM
   • Disorders of lipid metabolism (hyperlipidemia)
   • Obesity
   • Hypertension

 

2. Vascular conditions are usually associated with later stage T2DM
   • Coronary artery disease (which can lead to heart failure)
   • Chronic kidney disease
   • Peripheral vascular disease (including peripheral arterial disease)
   • Stroke (a manifestation of cerebrovascular disease)
   • Atrial fibrillation

 

3. Mental health conditions occur regardless of diabetes duration
   • Depression (the second most common condition in females after hypertension)
   • Severe mental illness

 

DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT EDUCATION AND SUPPORT

Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) is an essential component of diabetes treatment. Support from the healthcare professional team augments patients’ necessary knowledge and skills. The four critical times to evaluate the need for DSMES are¹⁴:

• at diagnosis
• annually and/or when not meeting treatment targets
• when compelling factors develop
• when transitions in life or care occur.

 

Collaboration between patients and the healthcare team provides patient-centered DSMES. Thorough DSMES includes counselling on nutrition, physical activity, and psychosocial issues. Digital coaching and self-management interventions can be the means to deliver education and support.¹⁴

 

Diabetes self-management training (DSMT) is the reimbursable component of DSMES. A health care professional who is a certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) —generally a dietitian, nurse or pharmacist— administers the DSMT. DSMT covers blood glucose monitoring, physical activity, healthy eating, medication, coping, problem solving.¹⁵

 

PAUSE AND PONDER: What lifestyle behaviors are fueling the diabetes epidemic?

 

Nutritional Therapy

Compelling evidence supports nutrition therapy’s efficacy and cost-effectiveness as a component of the medical management of T2DM.¹⁶ According to the CDC, a registered dietitian or nutritional professional provides medical nutrition therapy (MNT). MNT focuses solely on diet. Education should encompass in-depth, individualized nutritional assessment and follow-up with repeated reinforcement to aid with behavior change.¹⁷ MNT encourages a diet rich in non-starchy vegetables, whole foods, and limited added sugars and refined grains. Increasing dietary fiber intake is beneficial, as diets high in fiber may lower HbA1c moderately. Minimizing carbohydrate intake improves glycemia. Diets higher in unsaturated fats than carbohydrates improve glycemia, triglycerides, HDL-C, and LDL-C in patients with cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.¹⁶

 

Caloric goals with an overall energy deficit (calories in are less than calories expected) promoting 5% weight loss have shown clinical benefit in reducing HbA1C. The goal for optimal outcomes in T2DM is to reduce body weight by 15%.¹⁶ Dietary intervention can lead to disease remission, defined as sustained HbA1c levels below 6.5% for three months. Those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for four years or fewer are more likely to achieve remission through diet. However, interventions accompanied by other lifestyle changes can be more effective than diet alone.¹⁸

 

Physical Activity

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends adults engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or a combination of both, per week. Additionally, the WHO recommends reducing sedentary behaviors across all age groups and abilities.¹⁹

 

According to the CDC, moderate-intensity physical activity includes brisk walking, light yard work, light snow shoveling, biking, or playing with children. Ideally, patients’ heart rates will be 64% to 76% of their maximum. (To calculate actual beats per minute, patients subtract their age from 220, then multiply by 0.64 for the lower limit and by 0.76 for the upper limit.) Vigorous-intensity (high-intensity) exercise is jogging, swimming, rollerblading, cross country skiing, competitive sports, or jumping rope. Ideally, patients’ heart rate will be 77% to 93% of their maximum heart rate. (Calculation of the beats per minute is the same as above using 0.77 and 0.93 as the multipliers.)²⁰

 

Physical exercise has a positive effect on glycemic control. One study compared baseline glycemic levels with those measured after 30 minutes of moderate exercise before breakfast for three consecutive days. The study found that blood glucose levels were less variable throughout the day after morning exercise.²¹ In patients with impaired fasting glucose, progression to diabetes is slower in those who chose leisure time physical activity over sedentary tasks.²² High intensity exercise improves HbA1c more than moderate- or mild-intensity exercise.²³

 

Researchers conducted an 8-year study of 30 patients with T2DM in which participants engaged in three 90-minute sessions of aerobic exercise per week. The exercise program included a 15-minute warm up and cool down period. During the aerobic period, participants’ exercise intensity gradual increased from 50% to 80% maximum heart rate. Study participants had significantly reduced HbA1c and BMI. Participants also had significantly improved oxygen utilization. The researchers reported a HbA1c significant decrease of 1.39% among the experiment group.²⁴

 

Physical activity may be the most underutilized tool in T2DM management. Physical activity improves cardiorespiratory fitness, reduces insulin resistance and insulin levels, improves lipid profiles, reduces visceral adipose tissue, and lowers blood pressure, decreasing cardiovascular risk.²⁵ Due to exercise’s overwhelming benefit, developing a structured exercise plan for patients diagnosed with T2DM is a key responsibility for healthcare teams. Ideally, the healthcare care team would include an exercise physiologist.²⁵

 

PAUSE AND PONDER: What self-care behaviors contribute to effective T2DM self-management?

 

Psychosocial Support

Up to 19% of patients with diabetes experience mental health symptoms. Depression is common, especially in women. Early detection and treatment of mental health comorbidities can reduce their impact on health outcomes. Mortality risk is higher in patients with mental health comorbidities, especially in those with substance use disorder and schizophrenia. Mental health comorbidities also increase the likelihood of all-cause hospitalization.²⁶

 

Experts agree that collaborative patient-centered approaches to psychosocial care are best; such approaches include assessing patients for depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and cognitive capacities. Psychosocial screening and follow-up may include attitudes about diabetes, expectations for medical management, and outcomes.⁸

 

The Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists has identified seven self-care behaviors that contribute to effective self-management of diabetes and related conditions through improved behavior²⁷:

• being active
• healthy coping
• healthy eating
• monitoring
• problem solving
• reducing risk
• taking medication

 

Well-educated patients can contribute to their diabetes management with self-care behaviors. Monitoring health metrics like blood glucose, blood pressure, physical activity, diet, weight, medication adherence, mood, and sleep empower diabetes patients and improve outcomes.²⁷ Higher medication adherence, as would be expected, is associated with improved glycemic control, fewer emergency department visits, decreased hospitalizations, and lower medical costs.²⁸ Patients sharing data with the healthcare team can fuel discussion to find solutions, reduce risk, and improve personalized therapy plans.²⁷

 

PHARMACOLOGIC THERAPY

First line therapy for T2DM depends on comorbidities, patient-centered treatment factors, and management needs. It frequently includes metformin and comprehensive lifestyle modification. If the patient has atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), heart failure (HF), and/or chronic kidney disease (CKD) then appropriate initial medical therapy may include glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors with or without metformin. Prescribers may continue metformin upon initiation of insulin therapy for ongoing glycemic and metabolic benefits.⁸

 

Metformin

Apothecaries have used metformin medicinally for centuries. It is a guanidine derivative found in Galega officinalis, a plant called goat’s rue. Metformin was isolated and introduced in Europe in the 1950s and the United States in the 1990s.²⁹ Metformin decreases hepatic glucose production, decreases intestinal glucose absorption, and improves insulin sensitivity by increasing peripheral glucose uptake and utilization. Metformin does not cause hypoglycemia and patients generally tolerate it well. The most common adverse effect is diarrhea, resulting in 6% of patients discontinuing therapy. Other common adverse effects include nausea/vomiting, flatulence, asthenia, indigestion, and abdominal discomfort. Precautions include the potential for lactic acidosis, especially in patients with the following risk factors³⁰:

• Renal impairment
• Hepatic impairment
• Heart failure
• Hypoxic states
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Radioactive dye studies
• Restricted food and fluid intake

 

Metformin may interfere with vitamin B₁₂ absorption. Approximately 7% of patients become deficient. Supplementation with vitamin B₁₂ is appropriate if deficits develop.³⁰

 

Metformin can reduce HbA1c by 1.8% and lower the amount of insulin required to achieve glycemic targets by 19%.³¹ Initial dosing is 500 mg twice daily, or 850 mg daily, increasing as tolerated by 500 mg weekly to a maintenance dose of 1000 mg twice daily in patients with normal renal function. The maximum recommended dose is 2,550 mg per day. Monitoring fasting plasma glucose during initiation and dose titration aids in determining therapeutic response. Maintenance measurement of HbA1c levels should occur every three months.³⁰ Renal function is an important factor in metformin use. The recommended eGFR threshold for initiation of metformin is 45 mL/min. If, during therapy, the eGFR falls below 45 mL/min, the team need to assess the benefit of continued therapy. Use is contraindicated in patients with an eGFR below 30 mL/min.³⁰

 

INSULIN THERAPY

ADA Standards of Care recommend early introduction of insulin if clinicians see evidence of ongoing weight loss, symptoms of hyperglycemia, HbA1c levels exceeding 10%, or blood glucose levels of 300 mg/dL or higher. The potential for over-basalization (titration of basal insulin beyond an appropriate dose in an attempt to achieve glycemic targets) exists with insulin therapy. Signs of over-basalization may include a basal dose exceeding 0.5 units/kg/day, high bedtime-morning or post-prandial glucose differential, hypoglycemia, and high glycemic variability.⁸

 

When caring for hospitalized patients with diabetes, basal insulin or a basal plus bolus correction insulin is the preferred treatment for noncritically ill patients with poor oral intake. The standards prefer an insulin regimen with basal, prandial, and correctional components in patients with good nutritional intake. In many hospital settings, the basal and prandial doses are weight-based, and a correctional scale is added to scheduled mealtime doses to correct for pre-meal hyperglycemia.

 

It’s critical to initiate insulin therapy for persistent hyperglycemia at a threshold of 180 mg/dL or more, confirmed on two occasions. After initiating insulin, the current Standards of Care recommend a target glucose range of 140 to 180 mg/dL for most patients. More stringent goals, such as 110 to 140 mg/dL, may be appropriate for select patients if they do not exhibit significant hypoglycemia. The ADA defines hyperglycemia as blood glucose levels over 140 mg/dL in the hospital, and hypoglycemia as blood glucose below 70 mg/dL. Monitoring glucose every four to six hours or every two hours for an insulin infusion is best. Each hospital or hospital system should implement hypoglycemic management protocols.⁸

 

TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS IN COMMON COMORBIDITIES

Obesity

High BMI is the primary risk factor for T2DM.⁵ Diabetes was the second leading cause of BMI-related deaths in 2015 globally.³² The DIRECT trial showed a T2DM remission rate of 36% after 24 months in patients receiving structured support for initial weight loss and weight loss maintenance.³³ The 2022 ADA Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes categorize obesity treatment options based on BMI⁸:

• Nonpharmacologic strategies may be sufficient for those with BMI 25 to 26.9
• Providers should consider adding pharmacotherapy for those with a BMI of 27 to 29.9
• For those with a BMI exceeding 30 (or for Asian Americans with BMI 27.5 and over), patients and their treatment teams might consider metabolic surgery

 

The Standards of Care in Diabetes stress a minimum of 5% weight loss for most people with T2DM. It is important to include counseling with two to three monthly sessions focusing on dietary changes, physical activity, and behavioral strategies to achieve a 500 to 750 kcal/day energy deficit. Person-centered, nonjudgmental language, specifically “person with obesity” rather than “obese person,” fosters collaboration between patients and providers. Consideration of the medication’s effect on weight gain is important.⁸ Metformin, SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, and amylin mimetics promote weight loss.³⁴

 

As of November 2023, three FDA-approved obesity medications also have FDA approval for treating T2DM. These are the GLP-1 agonists liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide.^35,36 Dosages are as follows^37-39:

• Liraglutide (Saxenda) has an initial dose of 0.6 mg/day with a maintenance dose of 3 mg/day
• Semaglutide (Wegovy) has an initial dose of 0.25 mg/week with a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg/week
• Tirzepatide (Zepbound) has an initial dose of 2.5 mg/week with a maintenance dose of 5 to 15 mg/week

 

The FDA has approved these medications for weight loss in patients with a BMI of 30 or above or BMI of 27 or above with a comorbidity including hypertension, T2DM, or dyslipidemia.^37-39 These drugs lower glucose by stimulating insulin secretion from pancreatic islets in response to oral glucose load, like the natural hormone incretin. They delay gastric emptying, suppress appetite, increase satiety, decrease inappropriate glucagon secretion, and promote beta cell proliferation.^40,41

 

Clinical data for the GLP-1 medications in weight loss is impressive. The SCALE trial has shown that the absolute weight loss with liraglutide 3 mg daily in patients with T2DM is 5.6 kg (12.3 lbs) over 56 weeks.⁴² The absolute weight loss associated with semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly in obese patients or overweight patients with at least one risk factor is 12.7 kg (28 lbs) over 68 weeks.⁴³ Diabetic patients treated with tirzepatide 5, 10 or 15 mg weekly for 72 weeks lost an average of 12% body weight compared to placebo.³⁹ These medications contain warnings and precautions for thyroid C-cell tumors, acute pancreatitis, acute gallbladder disease, hypoglycemia with some T2DM medications, kidney injury, hypersensitivity reactions, and suicidal ideation.^37-39 The labeling for semaglutide and tirzepatide carries a precaution for diabetic retinopathy.^38,39 A precaution for heart rate increase is included in the labeling for liraglutide and semaglutide.^37,38 Most patients find these drugs have overwhelming benefits with primarily gastrointestinal adverse effects.^36-38

 

Providers may consider metabolic surgery for T2DM treatment in adults with a BMI of 30 and over (or for Asian Americans with a BMI of 27.5 and greater). Metabolic surgery refers to surgical organ modification; bariatric surgery, for example, is metabolic surgery for treatment of obesity (commonly known as a gastric bypass). A high-volume surgical center with experienced multidisciplinary teams knowledgeable about obesity management, diabetes, and gastrointestinal surgery is the best choice. Access to long-term medical, nutritional, and behavioral support after the procedure optimizes recovery. Patients may benefit from continuous glucose monitoring as an important adjunct, especially for those with episodes of hypoglycemia. After surgery, the clinical team should provide patient support, including mental health services.⁴⁴

 

Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment option in T2DM patients with obesity. In a recent study, after a median follow-up of 19 months post-surgery, 68 of 105 obese patients achieved diabetes remission. Study participants had a median BMI of 42.4 and a diagnosis of T2DM before the procedure. Patients taking multiple glucose-lowering medications or dependent on insulin or SGLT2 inhibitors were less likely to undergo complete remission. A longer duration of T2DM pre-operatively was a negative predictor of remission.⁴⁵

 

PAUSE AND PONDER: Which classes of diabetes medications are best for patients with ASCVD?

 

Cardiovascular Disease

All diabetic patients require yearly assessment of HF and ASCVD (coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral arterial disease). Hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes are risk factors for ASCVD. Controlling cardiovascular risk factors can prevent or slow ASCVD in people with diabetes.⁴⁶

 

Prescribers should consider the presence of coronary artery disease in patients exhibiting atypical cardiac symptoms, signs of vascular disease, or electrocardiogram abnormalities. Atypical cardiac symptoms include unexplained dyspnea or chest discomfort. Carotid artery stenosis, transient ischemic attack, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease are indicators of ASCVD.⁴⁶

 

In T2DM patients with established ASCVD or kidney disease, current ADA Standards of Medical Care suggest an SGLT-2 inhibitor or GLP-1 receptor agonist with demonstrated cardiovascular disease benefit (see Table 1 and Table 2). A quick review of FDA indications and landmark trials ensures the correct medication and dose have been chosen as newer agents continue to emerge with indications that may encompass weight loss and treatment of T2DM. To reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular and kidney events, patients with T2DM and established ASCVD may benefit from combined therapy with an SGLT-2 inhibitor and a GLP-1 receptor agonist with demonstrated cardiovascular benefit.⁴⁶

 

Table 1. Landmark Trials for SGLT-2 Inhibitors Evaluating T2DM with Cardiovascular Disease^47-50

Trial	Drug	Outcome
EMPA-REG OUTCOME	Empagliflozin 10-25 mg daily	Reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events; Reduction in hospitalization for heart failure
CANVAS	Canagliflozin 300 mg daily goal	Reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events; Reduced hospitalization for heart failure and cardiovascular death
DECLARE-TIMI 58	Dapagliflozin 10 mg daily	Reduction in heart failure-related death and hospitalization; Reduction in renal events

 

The SGLT-2 inhibitors’ primary mechanism of action is reduction of renal tubular glucose reabsorption at the proximal tubule resulting in glucosuria.⁵¹ The SGLT-2 inhibitors’ glucose-lowering efficacy decreases with increasing renal impairment.⁵² Most patients tolerate these medications well, with mild adverse effects. The proposed cardiovascular benefits include improved, blood pressure reduction, inflammation reduction, diuresis, inhibition of nervous system, and prevention of cardiac remodeling (physical changes to heart).⁴⁷ Their adverse effects include genitourinary infections, intravascular volume depletion, increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, and potentially an increased risk of lower limb amputations.⁵² Prescribers need to hold SGLT-2 inhibitors during acute illness (hospitalization), when fluid intake is inadequate, or if acute kidney injury occurs.⁴⁷

 

Pancreatic hormones and incretin hormones regulate glycemic homeostasis. GLP-1 is an incretin hormone that increases pancreatic insulin release and decreases glucagon release.⁴¹ The GLP-1 receptors are located in the renal proximal convoluted tubular cells and preglomerular vascular smooth muscle cells in the kidneys.⁵³ The GLP-1 receptor agonists lower HbA1c, weight, and blood pressure.⁵⁴

 

GLP-1 receptor agonists promote natriuresis (increased sodium in the urine), lowering blood pressure.⁵⁵ GLP-1 receptor agonists also reduce reactive oxygen production, thereby reducing platelet activation, macrophages, and monocytes in the vascular wall. Stabilization of the endothelial cells occurs with less plaque hemorrhage and rupture.⁵⁶ Overall, GLP-1 enhancement results in a slower progression of atherosclerosis.⁵⁷

 

Table 2. Landmark Trials for GLP-1 Agonists: Evaluating T2DM with Cardiovascular Disease^57-60

Trial	Drug	Outcome
REWIND	Dulaglutide 1.5 mg once a week	Reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events
SUSTAIN-6	Semaglutide 0.5 or 1 mg once a week	Relative risk reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events
LEADER	Liraglutide 1.8 mg (or max dose tolerated) daily	Relative risk reduction in major adverse cardiac events and cardiovascular death

 

In T2DM patients with a history of ASCVD, aspirin 75 mg to 162 mg daily is a secondary prevention strategy. In patients with documented aspirin allergies, clopidogrel 75 mg daily is an alternative. Patients with stable coronary and or peripheral artery disease and a low bleeding risk should take dual antiplatelet therapy for at least one year following acute coronary syndrome. Aspirin and low dose rivaroxaban can prevent major adverse limb and cardiovascular events.⁶¹

 

Hypertension

Hypertension exacerbates cardiovascular disease, which is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes.⁶² In 2023, the ADA updated the hypertension criteria. According to the 2023 Standards of Care in Diabetes recommendations, patients are hypertensive if they exhibit a sustained blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg or more, or a single level of 180/110 or more. The target goal is 130/80 mm Hg or less. Blood pressure targets below 120/80 mmHg are associated with hypotensive adverse events (such as falls). Patients with diabetes who are hypertensive should monitor their blood pressure at home. Patients with blood pressures exceeding 120/80 should implement lifestyle interventions including diet changes and weight loss, reduced sodium and increased potassium intake, moderation of alcohol, and increased physical activity.⁶¹ Treatment of hypertension reduces cardiovascular events and microvascular complications.^63,64

 

In patients with persistently elevated blood pressure, pharmacologic therapy in addition to lifestyle modifications improves outcomes. First-line pharmacologic therapy includes use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi), or an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). Clinical trials assessing these drugs demonstrate a reduction of cardiovascular events in T2DM patients with coronary artery disease. Prescribers should maximize doses for patients with a urine-to-creatinine ratio greater than 30 mg/g creatinine, as this is a sign of kidney damage. If the patient does not tolerate one drug class, the prescriber may switch to the other; however, the prescriber should not use them together. Annual monitoring of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and serum potassium are needed.⁶¹

 

Prescribers should start their patients on two medications if they have a confirmed office blood pressure of 160/100 mm Hg or more.⁶¹ Common therapies include thiazide-like diuretics and dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker.⁶⁵ Patients on triple antihypertensive therapy including a diuretic with unmet blood pressure goals may require a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, such as spironolactone.⁶⁶ Adding a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist may increase the risk of hyperkalemia. Regular monitoring of serum creatinine and potassium is prudent.⁴⁶

 

In the absence of albuminuria, ACEi and ARBs may not provide superior cardio-protection over thiazide-like diuretics or dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers.⁶⁷ Patients who have had a prior myocardial infarction, active angina, or HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) should be treated with a beta blocker. However, beta blockers do not reduce mortality when used as antihypertensives in the absence of these conditions.^54,68

 

Hyperlipidemia

Reduction of lipids and cholesterol is important because hyperlipidemia is a risk factor and common comorbidity for T2DM. Lifestyle modification focusing on weight loss is the first step of lipid management. Trained nutritionists can educate patients to eat a diet low in saturated fat and trans-fat. The goal is a diet that increases dietary n-3 fatty acids, viscous fiber, and plant stanols/sterols. Physical activity also helps improve lipid profiles. The importance of lifestyle therapy and glycemic optimization for triglycerides of 150 mg/dL or greater, and/or HDL equal to or less than 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women, cannot be understated. Lipid profiles at the time of diabetes diagnosis, at initiation of statin therapy or dose change, and annually thereafter are useful to monitor disease progression.⁶¹

 

Statin therapy has documented beneficial outcomes in patients with ASCVD.^69,70 The intensity of dosing is outlined below (see Table 3) ⁶¹:

• Patients with diabetes aged 40 to 75 without ASCVD should begin moderate-intensity statin therapy in addition to lifestyle therapy.
• Patients with diabetes aged 40 to 75 years and multiple ASCVD risk factors should take high intensity statin therapy to reduce LDL cholesterol by at least 50% of baseline for an LDL target of less than 70 mg/dL.
• Patients with diabetes and ASCVD should take high-intensity statin therapy. Prescribers may add ezetimibe or a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor, such as alirocumab or evolocumab, to achieve a goal of LDL below 55 mg/dL and an LDL reduction of 50% or more.

 

Table 3. Once daily: High-intensity and Moderate-intensity Statin Therapy⁶¹

Moderate-intensity statin therapy	High-intensity statin therapy
Atorvastatin 10–20 mg	Atorvastatin 40–80 mg
Rosuvastatin 5–10 mg	Rosuvastatin 20–40 mg
Simvastatin 20–40 mg
Pravastatin 40–80 mg
Lovastatin 40 mg
Fluvastatin (extended release) 80 mg
Pitavastatin 1–4 mg

 

Heart Failure

HF is a major cause of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. Recent studies indicate that people with diabetes have twice the risk of hospitalization due to HF compared to those without, after adjusting for age and sex.^71,72 Patients with established T2DM have a 33% greater risk of hospitalization for HF.⁷¹

 

HF is staged as A to D. Stage A HF indicates risk for developing HF. All patients with established diabetes are in the stage A category and at heightened risk for progression to later stages of HF. Stage B HF is asymptomatic with structural heart disease, abnormal cardiac function, or elevated cardiac biomarkers. Prescribers should monitor biomarkers, natriuretic peptide (BNP), or high sensitivity cardiac troponin yearly to detect subclinical HF in individuals with diabetes. Monitoring helps identify those in stage A or B HF who are at the highest risk of progressing to symptomatic HF. Useful cutoff values for these indicators are a BNP of 50 pg/mL and a NT-proBNP of 125 pg/mL.⁷³

 

Individuals considered to be at stages C and D have had or are experiencing symptomatic HF. Common symptoms are exertional dyspnea (shortness of breath), fatigue and edema that reflect fluid retention, congestion, and low cardiac output. Laboratory evaluations for patients with HF include natriuretic peptide, complete blood count, urinalysis, serum electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, glucose, fasting lipid profile, liver function, and thyroid stimulating hormone. Additionally, prescribers should order a chest x-ray and 12 lead electrocardiogram.⁷³

 

In stage A or B HF patients with diabetes and hypertension, medical therapy includes an ACEi or ARB. Clinical trials have found that treatment with a thiazide-type diuretic or an ACEi is more effective than treatment with a calcium channel blocker in preventing progression to symptomatic HF. Patients with diabetes and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) without symptomatic HF may benefit from finerenone, a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist.⁷³

 

Standards of Care recommendations for those with HFrEF and diabetes include an angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) or ACEi or ARB, beta blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, and SGLT-2 inhibitor. In individuals with diabetes and HFrEF, including an ARNI (sacubitril/valsartan) instead of ACEi or ARBs is prudent. It is reasonable to consider treatment with spironolactone among individuals with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) as well. Clinical trials have shown that treatment with an SGLT-2 inhibitor reduces HF hospitalizations.⁷² Individuals with high cardiovascular risk, including those with stage B HF and those with symptomatic HF, should take an SGLT-2 inhibitor. Prescribers may consider statins based on age and background risk factors. Treatment for patients requiring additional glycemic control may include a GLP-1 agonist, metformin, or both, or insulin. Current Standards of Care do not recommend the use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP) inhibitors or thiazolidinediones in T2DM patients with stage B, C or D HF.⁷³

 

In addition to drug therapy, participation in cardiac rehabilitation is associated with improved patient outcomes. Cardiac rehabilitation involves exercise training, education, and emotional support. Key counseling points for patient with diabetes and HF are to minimize alcohol intake and avoid smoking. Weight loss improves cardiometabolic risk factors. Metabolic surgery can improve risk factors for HF in obese patients.⁷³

 

Chronic Kidney Disease

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease in the developed world.⁷⁴ The presence of CKD markedly increases cardiovascular risk and health care costs.⁷⁵ Practitioners diagnose CKD primarily by sustained elevation of urinary albumin excretion and low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).⁷⁶

 

Recommendations include yearly assessment of eGFR and urinary albumin in all T2DM patients. In patients with established DKD, monitoring up to four times yearly may be necessary.⁷⁶ Consistent eGFR values less than 60 mL/min, in conjunction with a urinary albumin value over 30 mg/g creatinine defines an abnormal eGFR.⁷⁷ The definition of stage 1 and 2 CKD is high albuminuria with eGFR 60 mL/min or above. CKD stages 3-5 have progressively lower eGFR ranges.⁷⁸ At any eGFR, the degree of albuminuria is associated with risk of cardiovascular disease, CVD progression, and mortality.⁷⁵

 

Current ADA Standards of Care emphasize optimization of blood pressure and blood glucose to reduce the risk of and slow CKD progression.⁷⁶ ACEi or ARBs are the preferred first-line agents for blood pressure treatment in T2DM patients with hypertension and decreased eGFR.^79,80 The healthcare team needs to continue renin-angiotensin system blockade for increases in serum creatinine of 30% or less in the absence of volume depletion. In addition, it needs to monitor serum potassium levels when patients take ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or diuretics.⁷⁶

 

Recent trials show SGLT-2 inhibitor therapy reduces CKD progression and cardiovascular events in patients with CKD, T2DM, and an eGFR of 20 mL/min/1.73m² or greater.⁷⁶ SGLT-2 inhibitors reduce renal tubular glucose reabsorption, weight, systemic blood pressure, intraglomerular pressure, albuminuria, and slow GFR loss through mechanisms that are independent of glycemia.⁸¹ To minimize cardiovascular events, addition of a glucagon-like peptide 1 agonist may help, or a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (nsMRA) if eGFR is 20 mL/min/1.73m². For patients with urinary albumin of 300 mg/g or greater, reduction of at least 30% slows CKD progression.⁷⁶ Suggested daily protein intake in CKD stage 3 (non-dialysis) patients is 0.8 g/kg body weight per day. Higher levels of protein have been associated with increased albuminuria and more rapid kidney function loss.⁸² If the eGFR falls below 30, a nephrologist referral is needed.⁷⁶

 

Tables 4 and 5 list recent trials that support current ADA Standards of Care regarding treatment of diabetes in the presence of CKD.⁷⁶ In the CREDENCE trial, canagliflozin therapy reduced the development of ESRD by 32% in patients with CKD.⁸³ The DAPA-CKD trial studied dapagliflozin in CKD. Two thirds of the patients had a diabetes comorbidity. There was significant benefit for a decline in eGFR, ESRD or death from cardiovascular or renal causes.⁸⁴ The FIDELIO-DKD trial studied the nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, finerenone. The trial identified a significant reduction in DKD progression and cardiovascular events in people with advanced kidney disease. Participants took finerenone 10 to 20 mg daily. Evaluation after a mean of 3.4 years demonstrated a 23% reduction in the composite kidney outcome consisting of sustained decrease in eGFR of at least 57%.⁸⁵

 

Table 4. Landmark Trials for SGLT-2 inhibitors in renal disease^47,83,84,86

Trial	Drug	Outcome
CREDENCE	Canagliflozin 100 mg daily	Cardiovascular and renal protection
DAPA-CKD	Dapagliflozin 10 mg daily	Reduction of eGFR decline; Reduction of ESRD; Reduction of renal mortality
EMPA-KIDNEY	Empagliflozin 10 mg daily	Reduced progression of kidney disease; Reduced cardiovascular death

 

Table 5. Landmark Trials for GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in T2DM and Renal Disease^57,58,87,88

Trial	Drug	Outcome
AWARD-7	Dulaglutide 0.75 -1.5 mg once a week	Slower decline in eGFR. No change in urine albumin-creatine ratio
LEADER	Liraglutide 1.8 mg (or max dose tolerated) daily	Reduced the development and progression of diabetic kidney disease
REWIND (analysis)	Dulaglutide 1.5 mg once a week	Relative risk reduction in composite renal outcome

 

 

CONCLUSION

T2DM is indeed a growing epidemic fueled by an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle.¹ A prescription is only a partial answer to a multifactorial problem. This is why the ADA Standards of Care for diabetes incorporate a multidisciplinary approach focusing on individuals, their current disease states, and preventive measures for disease progression. Recommendations emphasize the importance of self-management, education, and support. Nutritional therapy, physical activity, and psychological support are key elements. Effective weight management is a powerful tool for managing or even reversing T2DM. Current therapy recommendations also incorporate the use of cardiovascular protective medications with demonstrated efficacy for ASCVD.⁸

 

Due to the high prevalence of comorbid conditions associated with T2DM, it is fortunate that the SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists are a resource for patients with T2DM comorbidities. These agents improve cardiovascular function and are compatible with guideline-based preventive recommendations for blood pressure, lipids, glycemia, and antiplatelet therapy.^51,89 Diabetes treatment has entered a new era of understanding. The overwhelming data favors addressing the whole patient including lifestyle, education, weight loss options, and cardiovascular related comorbidities. The new ADA Standards of Medical Care provide clinicians with the knowledge and tools to treat the growing diabetic epidemic.

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INTRODUCTION

Acne vulgaris is a chronic skin condition characterized by open or closed comedones (bumps) and the development of inflammatory papules, pustules, or nodules.¹ Papules are small, raised bumps; pustules are small, pus-filled bumps; and nodules are larger, solid lesions that extend into the deeper layers of the skin. Acne is among one of the most common skin disorders, frequently affecting adolescents and young adults. In the 2013 Global Burden of Disease study, acne vulgaris ranked second most burdensome skin disease among all skin diseases as measured by disability-adjusted life years.² Experts estimate acne’s prevalence in young adults to be between 35% to more than 90%, with males affected more often than females in this age category.³ Acne’s incidence generally declines with increasing age, and tends to exhibit a female predominance following adolescence, affecting up to 15% of women.⁴

 

While acne is not associated with mortality, several complications may arise such as hyperpigmentation, scarring, and negative psychosocial effects.³ A variety of treatment options are available for acne vulgaris, both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription; product selection depends on lesion severity and patient-specific factors. Topical therapies are for milder cases, while systemic therapies are employed in more severe cases, typically in conjunction with topical treatments.

 

Pathogenesis of Acne

Acne vulgaris is a complex inflammatory disorder affecting the pilosebaceous unit of the skin, which is composed of the hair follicle and sebaceous gland (glands that secrete sebum, an oily substance that keeps skin from drying out).³ Acne’s pathogenesis involves several different host factors that lead to lesion formation. The four main contributing factors associated with acne development include hyperkeratinization of follicles, increased sebum production, Cutibacterium acnes bacteria, and inflammation.³

 

Increased sebum secretion from sebaceous glands, often stimulated by androgens, serves as a growth medium for C. acnes bacteria. This bacterium has the propensity to activate an immune response that subsequently triggers an inflammatory response. The inflammatory response results in the formation of inflammatory papules and pustules.

 

Acne vulgaris may have other etiologies aside from the four main biologic factors. Cutaneous lesions can occur by way of mechanical injury or skin trauma because of scrubbing, squeezing, or friction, referred to as acne mechanica.⁵ Additionally, an association exists between psychologic stress and increased acne severity. Genetics is another factor that may contribute to the development of acne. Studies have shown that individuals with close family members who have acne are at increased risk of developing the condition.³

 

Insulin resistance is also implicated in the formation of acne as it can stimulate androgen production and lead to increased serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Increased IGF-1 levels are linked to increased facial sebum excretion, which ultimately facilitates acne formation. Androgens contribute significantly in the development of acne as they stimulate the growth and secretory function of sebaceous glands, further increasing sebum production.³

 

Several dietary elements have been associated with acne, although the evidence is not robust. A reduced glycemic index or a glycemic load diet (i.e., a low carbohydrate diet with reduced intake of processed meats, added sugar, and refined grains) may reduce the quantity and severity of acne lesions by reducing free androgens and IGF-1 levels.⁶ Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids can decrease IGF-1 and inhibit pro-inflammatory leukotriene B₄, which potentially lessens the number of lesions. Conversely, milk and dairy products have been associated with an increase in acne lesions, likely due to their opposite effects on IGF-1 levels.³

 

In addition to dietary intake, the gut microbiome can impact acne development.⁶ A randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study of 20 adult patients with acne showed promising results in acne improvements with probiotic supplementation over a 12-week period.⁷ While this preliminary data supports the use of probiotics for acne, more robust data is needed to confirm these findings.

 

Despite these dietary correlations, the relationship between acne and weight or body mass index (BMI) is uncertain. A large population-based study of about 600,000 adolescents in Israel found that obesity was inversely related to the development of acne.⁸ Conversely, a smaller scale case-control study of adolescents with moderate to severe acne found a correlation between lower BMI and lower incidence of acne.⁹ As studies have yielded mixed results, a connection is unclear at this time.

 

Pretreatment Assessment

Prior to establishing a treatment plan, thorough assessment of the types of acne lesions and severity of those lesions is essential. Additionally, clinicians should consider potential contributing factors such as comedogenic skincare products (i.e., products that have a high likelihood of clogging pores), medications, or endocrine disorders. They should also consider the presence of complications such as scarring, hyperpigmentation, or presence and extent of psychologic distress when establishing treatment regimens and setting treatment goals.¹⁰ Anatomic location of the lesions is important to note as well.¹

 

Acne vulgaris lesions are either comedonal or papulopustular³:

• Comedonal lesions are milder in severity and characterized by closed comedones, also known as “whiteheads,” or open comedones, also known as “blackheads.” Comedonal lesions are non-inflammatory and typically smaller than 5 mm in size, or smaller than the size of a pencil top eraser.
• Papulopustular acne has a more inflamed presentation with relatively superficial papules or pustules, although still typically smaller than 5 mm in size.
• Nodular acne is a more severe variation of papulopustular acne with deep-seated, inflamed and often tender, large papules or nodules.

 

While no universally accepted method of assessing acne grade or severity exists, several characteristics may differentiate between mild acne and more severe variants. Mild acne typically has limited skin involvement with scattered, small (less than 5 mm in size) comedonal lesions or inflamed papules. Mild acne also has an absence of near confluent skin involvement (defined as lesions that flow together) and no scarring or large nodules. Many visually prominent comedonal or inflammatory papulopustular lesions are characteristic of moderate to severe acne. Other features indicative of moderate to severe acne include the presence of large nodules, scarring, and involvement of multiple body areas.¹⁰

 

PAUSE AND PONDER: Since several treatments for acne are available over-the-counter (OTC), what is a reasonable regimen for mild acne using only OTC drugs?

 

Treatment for Mild Acne

The American Academy of Dermatology published guidelines for the management of acne vulgaris in 2016, and on January 30, 2024, the academy published an update to these guidelines in the form of a systematic review.^1,11 The updated guidelines offer evidence-based recommendations and several good practice statements for the management of acne vulgaris. The guidelines classify recommendations as strong, where the benefits clearly outweigh the risks, or conditional, where the benefits are closely balanced with risks and burden. Conditional recommendations apply to most patients, but the most appropriate action may differ depending on patient or other stakeholder values.¹¹

 

Topical medications—as monotherapy or in combination—are typically the initial treatment of choice for mild acne.¹¹ For mild comedonal acne without inflammatory lesions, treatment with a topical retinoid is an appropriate choice.¹ Mild papulopustular and mixed acne may benefit from either a combination of a topical retinoid and topical antimicrobial or benzoyl peroxide and a topical antibiotic. Combining topical antibiotic treatment with benzoyl peroxide decreases the development of antibiotic resistance to C. acnes and improves treatment outcomes.¹⁰ The 2024 guidelines strongly recommend the following topical therapies for patients with acne based on moderate evidence: benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids, and topical antibiotics (although not as monotherapy).¹¹

 

Topical Retinoids

Topical retinoids are routinely the initial treatment choice for mild comedonal acne. As vitamin A (retinol) derivatives, retinoids are important regulators of cell reproduction, proliferation (self-multiplication), and differentiation (specialization into specific cell types).¹² In comedonal acne, retinoids normalize follicular hyperkeratosis (excessive development of keratin in hair follicles which result in papules) and prevent formation of the microcomedo, the primary lesion of acne.¹⁰ Table 1 lists the four currently available topical retinoid therapies for acne vulgaris: adapalene, tazarotene, tretinoin, and trifarotene.

 

Table 1. Topical Retinoids for Acne Vulgaris^10,13

Medication	Usual Dosage	Available Dosage Forms	Common Adverse Effects
Adapalene	Apply to acne lesions once daily in the evening or before bedtime	Cream: 0.1% Gel: 0.1% (OTC), 0.3% Lotion: 0.1%	Local skin irritation: erythema (redness), skin scaling, xerosis (dryness), burning, and pruritus (itching); photosensitivity (light sensitivity)
Tazarotene		Cream: 0.05%, 0.1% Gel: 0.05%, 0.1% Foam: 0.1% Lotion: 0.045%	Local skin irritation: burning and stinging, contact dermatitis, erythema, pruritus, skin discoloration, skin inflammation, application site pain, and xerosis; photosensitivity
Tretinoin		Cream: 0.025% to 0.1% Gel: 0.01% to 0.05% Lotion: 0.05% Microsphere gel: 0.04% to 0.1%	Local skin irritation: peeling, xerosis, burning, stinging, erythema, and pruritus; photosensitivity
Trifarotene		Cream: 0.005%	Application site pruritus, skin irritation, and photosensitivity

OTC, over the counter.

 

Tretinoin, when used topically, reduces the likelihood of follicular epithelial cells from sticking together, and decreases microcomedone formation. Additionally, it can increase turnover of follicular epithelial cells and stimulates mitotic activity or cell division thereby causing expulsion of comedones.¹⁴ Tretinoin is available in various dosage forms including creams, gels, and lotions. Newer formulations of tretinoin such as microsphere gels release the medication more slowly and are generally less irritating.¹⁰

 

Patients should apply tretinoin to the affected area once daily at bedtime, 20 minutes following washing and drying of the face. Newer formulations are more stable, allowing patients to use them immediately following cleansing.¹⁴ Adverse effects of topical tretinoin, listed in Table 1, are typically most pronounced in the first month of therapy. Pharmacy teams should instruct patients to apply sunscreen in the morning to minimize photosensitivity (sensitivity to light), and guidelines recommend using sunscreen throughout the course of treatment with topical retinoids.¹

 

Adapalene is a retinoid-like drug that functions as a modulator of cell differentiation, keratinization (i.e., when the epithelial cells develop a hardened horn-like character), and inflammatory processes.¹⁵ Adapalene is available as a cream, gel, and lotion applied topically at bedtime after cleansing. It is the only retinoid available without a prescription. Adapalene has demonstrated similar efficacy and superior tolerability compared to other retinoids.¹⁶

 

Tazarotene is a retinoid prodrug (i.e., inactive compound that turns into an active drug once metabolized) that reduces the number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions in acne vulgaris.¹⁷ Patients apply tazarotene (a cream, gel, foam, or lotion) to the affected area once daily at bedtime after cleansing. The adverse effect profile is similar to that of other retinoids. While topical retinoid therapy is generally not recommended in pregnancy, this topical acne medication is contraindicated in pregnancy.

 

Trifarotene is a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonist with specific activity at the gamma subtype of RAR. RAR activation causes transcription of several genes that are responsible for cell differentiation and mediation of inflammation.¹⁸ It is the first topical retinoid specifically studied in both facial and truncal acne, yielding favorable safety, tolerability, and efficacy data in patients with moderate acne.¹⁹ Trifarotene is available as a cream applied once daily in the evening or before bedtime.

 

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is a topical oxidizing drug which kills the bacteria on the skin, halts the production of sebum, and breaks down the outermost layer of the skin. It has potential to improve both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions.²⁰ Benzoyl peroxide is available in a variety of dosage forms including creams, gels, washes, and foams and in several concentrations ranging from 2.5% to 10%, most of which are available OTC. Concentration-dependent irritation, staining, and bleaching of fabric and hair is a limiting factor in treatment with benzoyl peroxide. Pharmacists and technicians should inform patients that staining of towels and pillowcases is common when using this medication.

 

Irritation from benzoyl peroxide manifests as erythema, scaling, xerosis, or stinging, tightening, or burning sensations.¹⁰ Generally, lower concentrations (i.e., 2.5% to 5%), water-based, and wash-off products have better tolerability, particularly in patients with sensitive skin.¹ Presently, C. acnes shows no resistance to benzoyl peroxide, so addition of this medication to other regimens may further minimize development of antibiotic resistance.

 

Benzoyl peroxide is optimal for mild papulopustular acne with or without comedonal lesions. Patients may use benzoyl peroxide in conjunction with a retinoid or topical antibiotic, and several combination products are available by prescription only (described in Table 2). If using benzoyl peroxide in combination with tretinoin, patients should apply the medications at different times of the day to avoid oxidation or degradation of the tretinoin product (i.e., use benzoyl peroxide in the morning and tretinoin in the evening). Benzoyl peroxide application timing does not matter when co-administered with the tretinoin microsphere formulation or other retinoids.¹ The guidelines recommend using benzoyl peroxide one to three times daily, however, an increase in adverse effects such as dryness can occur with increased frequency of use. Usually, visible improvement occurs after about three weeks of benzoyl peroxide use, and maximal improvement is apparent after eight to 12 weeks.¹⁰

 

Table 2. Topical Combination Medications for Acne Vulgaris ^10,13

Category	Medication	Usual Dosage
Benzoyl Peroxide and Topical Antibiotic	Benzoyl peroxide 5% / clindamycin 1% gel	Apply twice daily
	Benzoyl peroxide 5% / clindamycin 1.2% gel	Apply once daily in the evening
	Benzoyl peroxide 2.5% / clindamycin 1.2% gel	Apply once daily in the evening
	Benzoyl peroxide 3.75% / clindamycin 1.2% gel	Apply once daily in the evening
	Benzoyl peroxide 5% / erythromycin 3% gel	Apply twice daily
Antimicrobial and Retinoid	Clindamycin 1.2% / tretinoin 0.025% gel	Apply once daily in the evening
	Benzoyl peroxide 2.5% / adapalene 0.1% gel	Apply once daily in the evening
	Benzoyl peroxide 2.5% / adapalene 0.3% gel	Apply once daily in the evening
	Benzoyl peroxide 3% / tretinoin 0.1% cream	Apply once daily in the evening
Antimicrobial, Antibiotic and Retinoid	Benzoyl peroxide 3.1% / clindamycin 1.2% / adapalene 0.15% gel	Apply once daily

 

Topical Clindamycin

Clindamycin is an antibiotic used topically for acne vulgaris, most often in combination with benzoyl peroxide. The guidelines discourage monotherapy with topical antibiotics due to concerns for antibiotic resistance.¹¹ Clindamycin is available in numerous topical dosage forms including gels, solutions, lotions, foam, and pledgets (small cotton rounds with medication embedded) and comes co-formulated with several retinoid medications.

 

A meta-analysis comparing different topical treatments for acne demonstrated that gels containing benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin in combination were modestly more effective than benzoyl peroxide alone for the treatment of inflammatory acne lesions, superior to clindamycin alone, and resulted in faster improvement.²¹ Clindamycin is generally well tolerated when used topically, but irritation may occur as with any topical acne medication. Patients apply clindamycin to the affected area twice daily. Topical erythromycin is an alternative to clindamycin; however, reduced efficacy due to antibiotic resistance has limited its use.¹

 

Salicylic Acid and Azelaic Acid

Several alternative topical medications are available for patients with acne who are unable to tolerate retinoid therapy. Topical salicylic acid is a comedolytic medication (product which resolves papules and prevents formation of new ones) with mild anti-inflammatory properties that works by causing desquamation (shedding) of the horny layer of skin.²² It is available OTC in a variety of different gels, washes, pads, masks, lotions, and solutions. The guidelines conditionally recommend salicylic acid for patients with acne based on low certainty of evidence.¹¹ Salicylic acid is typically dosed once daily, however patients may increase to two or three times daily if needed, as tolerated. Skin dryness and peeling may occur from using this medication, especially when used in excess.²³ For patients seeking an OTC resolution for acne, pharmacists can suggest salicylic acid in combination with benzoyl peroxide.

 

Azelaic acid is an effective treatment for acne due to its antimicrobial and antikeratinizing effects on the follicular epidermis and carries a conditional recommendation based on the guidelines.^24,11 Azelaic acid possesses mild anti-inflammatory properties and can improve acne-induced, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.¹⁰ Patients apply this medication to the affected area twice daily, and it comes formulated as a cream, gel, and foam. Studies have shown that azelaic acid’s efficacy is comparable to other topical acne treatments, and it is generally well tolerated. Azelaic acid’s most common adverse effect, as with other topical acne medications, is local skin irritation.^25,26

 

Alternative Therapies for Resistant Disease

In patients who report insufficient improvement with first line treatments, providers may consider several additional topical options before starting systemic therapy. For comedonal acne, providers may try an alternative concentration of the retinoid therapy if there is room to increase, or switch to another retinoid drug if the current medication is already maximally dosed. For papulopustular acne, providers may change the retinoid medication or add concomitant benzoyl peroxide and/or a topical antibiotic, if desired. Alternative approaches to managing papulopustular acne involve the addition of topical dapsone, clascoterone, or topical minocycline.¹⁰ Table 3 lists antimicrobial therapies and additional alternative topical medications available for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

 

Table 3. Antimicrobial Therapies and Alternative Topical Medications used for Acne Vulgaris ^10,13

Category	Medication	Usual Dosage	Available Dosage Forms	Common Adverse Effects
Antimicrobial	Benzoyl Peroxide	Apply one to three times daily	2.5 to 10% gels, lotions, creams, pads, masks, cleansers, foam (most are OTC)	Local skin irritation
	Clindamycin	Apply twice daily	1% gel, lotion, pledget, solution, foam	Generally well tolerated, skin irritation may occur
	Dapsone	Apply once daily	Gel: 5%, 7,5%	Application site dryness and pruritus
	Erythromycin	Apply twice daily	2% gel, solution, pledget	Generally well tolerated, skin irritation may occur
	Minocycline	Apply once daily 1 hour prior to bed	Foam: 4%	Headache
Topical Androgen Receptor Inhibitor	Clascoterone	Apply twice daily	Cream: 1%	Scaling, dryness, edema, or irritation of skin; HPA axis suppression
Other	Azelaic acid	Apply twice daily	Cream: 20%	Local skin irritation
			Gel: 15%
			Foam: 15%
	Salicylic acid	Apply one to three times daily	0.5 to 2% creams, gels, pads, cleansers, solutions, soaps, pledget, foam (most are OTC)	Local skin irritation including transient stinging, burning, or pruritus; potential for salicylate absorption

HPA, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal; OTC, over the counter.

 

PAUSE AND PONDER: What factors could contribute to the higher prevalence of acne in males during adolescence?

 

Topical dapsone is an antimicrobial agent that shows modest to moderate efficacy, particularly in the reduction of inflammatory acne lesions in clinical trials.^27,28 While dapsone’s mechanism of action is poorly understood, it is thought to possess both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Additionally, dapsone has demonstrated superior efficacy in females as opposed to males.²⁹ Dapsone may be used in combination with benzoyl peroxide, however due to the potential for oxidation, patients must apply the medications at different times. Temporary yellow or orange discoloration of the skin and hair may occur if patients apply dapsone and benzoyl peroxide simultaneously. Patients apply dapsone to the affected area once daily and generally tolerate it well. Unlike with oral dapsone therapy, testing for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is unnecessary.¹

 

Clascoterone is a first-in-class topical androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for the treatment of acne vulgaris in individuals aged 12 years and older.³⁰ This medication competes with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for androgen receptors to block DHT from binding to these receptors. This in turn reduces the transcription of androgen-responsive genes that modulate inflammation and sebum production.³⁰ Two phase 3 randomized clinical trials demonstrated that clascoterone has a similar safety profile to placebo without any downstream systemic androgenic effects.³¹ Patients apply clascoterone to the affected area twice daily. Clascoterone’s most common adverse effects include scaling, dryness, edema, or irritation of skin. Another, more serious potential adverse effect is hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression (i.e., inadequate cortisol production leading to impaired stress response).¹⁰ Currently, clascoterone carries a conditional recommendation for the treatment of acne; this is based on a high certainty of evidence, however, also considers cost and access to treatment.¹¹

 

Treatment for Moderate to Severe Acne

Patients with moderate to severe acne may benefit from topical therapy, but this disease severity often necessitates the addition of systemic medications to achieve optimal outcomes. The guidelines recommend several different oral medications for acne vulgaris including antibiotics, isotretinoin, and hormonal medications, listed in Table 4.¹ Prescribers usually employ systemic therapy in combination with topical medications, but they use oral isotretinoin as monotherapy. Drug selection is based on lesion severity and consideration of patient-specific factors.

 

Table 4. Systemic Therapies for Acne Vulgaris^10,13

Category	Medication	Usual Dosage	Common Adverse Effects
Tetracycline Antibiotics	Doxycycline	Immediate Release: 50 to 100 mg twice daily or 100 mg once daily Delayed Release: 100 mg every 12 hours for 1 day, then 100 mg once daily Sub-antimicrobial dosing: Immediate Release: 20 mg twice daily Delayed Release: 40 mg once daily	Photosensitivity, GI distress, pseudotumor cerebri; contraindicated in pregnancy and children < 8 years of age
	Minocycline	Immediate Release: 50 or 100 mg daily or twice daily Extended Release: 1 mg/kg/day (round to nearest available strength)	Dizziness, vertigo, serum sickness, drug-induced lupus, skin discoloration, pseudotumor cerebri; contraindicated in pregnancy and children <8 years of age
	Sarecycline	33 to 54 kg: 60 mg once daily 55 to 84 kg: 100 mg once daily 85 to 136 kg: 150 mg once daily	Photosensitivity, GI distress; contraindicated in pregnancy and children <8 years of age
Macrolide Antibiotics	Azithromycin	Pulse dosing due to long drug half-life; 500 mg 1–3 times per week or 4 times monthly was studied, optimal regimen unknown	GI distress
	Erythromycin	250 to 500 mg twice daily initially, then decrease to once daily
Aldosterone Receptor Antagonists	Spironolactone	50 to 100 mg/day in 1 or 2 equally divided doses	Menstrual irregularity, breast tenderness, minor GI symptoms, orthostatic hypotension, hyperkalemia, dizziness, headaches, fatigue; contraindicated in pregnancy
Oral Retinoids	Isotretinoin	0.5 mg/kg/day, increasing to 1 mg/kg/day in 1 or 2 equally divided doses; total dose 120 to 150 mg/kg over 20 weeks	Dry skin and mucous membranes, visual changes, myalgia, hypertriglyceridemia, elevation of hepatic enzymes; teratogenic (absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy)
Combination Oral Contraceptives	Various estrogen/progestin combinations	One tablet once daily	Nausea, breast tenderness, weight gain, thromboembolic events

GI, gastrointestinal.

 

Oral Antibiotics

Systemic antibiotics are indicated for moderate to severe inflammatory acne.¹ Antibiotics reduce inflammation by inhibiting the growth of C. acnes bacteria, with some antibiotics also exhibiting direct anti-inflammatory properties. When initiating oral antibiotic therapy for acne, prescribers should limit the duration of treatment to the shortest necessary interval to minimize antibiotic resistance; continuous therapy for three or four months is typically sufficient.³² The guidelines recommend simultaneous use of a topical retinoid with the oral antibiotic. Addition of topical benzoyl peroxide will further limit occurrence of antibiotic resistance.³²

 

Tetracycline antibiotics are first-line medications for the treatment of acne vulgaris.¹ While other antibiotics may be used when treatment fails or is not tolerated, treatment with non-antibiotic systemic medications (e.g., isotretinoin) is typically considered first.³² Tetracycline antibiotics inhibit protein synthesis by binding the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, and they also possess anti-inflammatory properties.¹ Children younger than eight years old and patients who are pregnant cannot use tetracyclines due to the potential for discoloration of developing permanent teeth. Doxycycline, minocycline, and sarecycline are the main tetracyclines used for acne in the United States (U.S.). Providers no longer use tetracycline itself for acne due to tolerability issues, antibiotic resistance, and limited availability.

 

The guidelines strongly recommend doxycycline for acne vulgaris based on moderate evidence.¹¹ The typical recommended dose of doxycycline for acne is 100 mg twice daily. Patients take delayed release tablets once daily after the initial loading dose.³³ Several studies have also shown that sub-antimicrobial dosing of doxycycline—either 20 mg twice daily or 40 mg once daily of the delayed-release formulation—is an effective strategy for acne vulgaris management.^34-36 This dosing strategy eliminates the drug’s antibacterial action while maintaining its anti-inflammatory effects. Data shows that once daily 40 mg delayed-release doxycycline reduced inflammatory lesions and was better tolerated than doxycycline 100 mg once daily.³⁴ Doxycycline’s most common adverse effects are gastrointestinal complaints, which patients can mitigate by taking the medication with food. Photosensitivity and benign increased intracranial pressure (pseudotumor cerebri) have also been associated with the use of tetracyclines, including doxycycline.³³

 

Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that the guidelines conditionally recommended for the treatment of acne vulgaris based on moderate evidence.¹¹ Although minocycline is effective, it has been associated with greater toxicity than doxycycline, so it is not usually used first.³⁷ Typical minocycline dosing is 50 mg to 100 mg twice daily, or 1 mg/kg/day of the extended-release formulation. Minocycline may produce vestibular adverse effects such as headache, dizziness and vertigo, serum sickness, and pseudotumor cerebri. According to a systematic review, minocycline is the only tetracycline associated with the development of lupus erythematosus, although the risk is small.³⁷ Photosensitivity may also occur with minocycline but typically to a lesser extent than with doxycycline.³²

 

Sarecycline is a newer, narrow-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic indicated for inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate to severe acne vulgaris in patients 9 years of age and older.³⁸ The guidelines conditionally recommended this medication based on high certainty evidence.¹¹ A narrow-spectrum antibiotic targets specific types of bacteria, while a broad-spectrum antibiotic is effective against a wide range of bacteria. Using this narrow-spectrum drug reduces the potential for antibiotic resistance and gut microbiome disruption.³² Sarecycline dosing is weight-based ranging from 60 mg to 150 mg once daily.³⁸ Importantly, studies have not established sarecycline’s efficacy beyond 12 weeks or safety beyond 12 months. Sarecycline’s most common adverse effect in clinical trials was nausea.³⁸

 

Alternative antibiotics for acne vulgaris are reserved for patients who cannot tolerate or don’t respond well to tetracyclines and are not candidates for other systemic therapies.³² Clinical trials have evaluated macrolides—including erythromycin and azithromycin—for acne. A meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of azithromycin to doxycycline demonstrated that azithromycin pulse therapy (i.e., 500 mg one to three times per week or four times monthly) is equivalent to doxycycline 100 mg once or twice daily at 12 weeks in moderate to severe acne vulgaris.³⁹ While some data supports their efficacy, macrolides are rarely used for this indication due to concerns for antibiotic resistance.⁴⁰ Additionally, erythromycin is very poorly tolerated due to significant gastrointestinal adverse effects.

 

Other antibiotic regimens that may be effective for acne in adults are trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 160 mg/800 mg once to twice daily and cephalexin 500 mg twice daily, but data supporting their use is limited.⁴¹ The guidelines discourage using these antibiotics for acne due to increased risk of antibiotic resistance.¹

 

Topical Antibioitcs

Providers may consider topical minocycline as an alternative topical antibiotic for acne vulgaris in moderate to severe cases. Topical minocycline comes as a 4% foam and is indicated for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate to severe acne vulgaris in patients 9 years of age and older.⁴² Three large clinical trials have shown topical minocycline foam consistently reduces inflammatory acne lesions.^43,44 Patients apply the medication to the affected area at the same time each day at least one hour before bedtime. Pharmacists should inform patients that minocycline foam is well tolerated, with headache being the most notable adverse effect.⁴²

 

Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is an oral retinoid that tackles all four major factors in acne pathogenesis: sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, inflammation, and C. acnes bacteria. Isotretinoin is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for the treatment of severe recalcitrant (refractory) nodular acne vulgaris.³² This medication is also a good option for moderate acne resistant to other treatments or for the management of acne that has produced physical scarring or psychosocial distress.¹ Oral isotretinoin is the only medication that can permanently alter the natural course of acne vulgaris, and has the potential to induce long-term remission.³² Most patients experience long-term improvement in acne severity after just one course of isotretinoin. Additionally, continued improvement may occur for several months following completion of the treatment course, so patients must wait at least five months before considering additional isotretinoin therapy.⁴⁵

 

Patients take isotretinoin as monotherapy over the course of several weeks. Dosing is weight-based starting at 0.5 mg/kg/day in two divided doses, then titrated up to 1 mg/kg/day after the first month. The typical treatment duration is 15 to 20 weeks or until the total nodule count decreases by more than 70%, whichever occurs first.⁴⁶ Taking the medication with food improves absorption (an important counseling point). Isotretinoin is contraindicated in pregnancy due to its teratogenicity (causes birth defects), but it is unclear whether teratogenic effects occur in sperm from males using isotretinoin.⁴⁷ All patients who are prescribed the medication, prescribing providers, and pharmacies who dispense isotretinoin must enroll in the iPLEDGE REMS to receive the medication. Pharmacy teams play an integral part in ensuring patients can safely obtain this medication. They must verify that both the patient and provider are enrolled, obtain a Risk Management Authorization (RMA) number prior to filling and dispensing each prescription, and that no more than a 30-day supply is dispensed. Additionally, upon authorization, the iPLEDGE REMS website provides a “do not dispense to patient after” date. It is calculated as 30 days after the office visit for patients who cannot get pregnant, and seven days from the documented negative pregnancy test for patients who can.

 

Isotretinoin is associated with several potential adverse effects including dry skin and mucous membranes, visual changes, and myalgia. Additionally, patients, particularly those with severe disease, may see an initial transient worsening of acne that requires adjustment to therapy.⁴⁵ Isotretinoin is known to cause hyperlipidemia and elevation of hepatic transaminases (liver enzymes) necessitating lab monitoring.³² Some research suggests a possible link between depression and suicidal ideation, but the data is inadequate to establish causality at this time.^48,49 Researchers have also suggested a link between isotretinoin and inflammatory bowel disease, but several large cohort studies have not confirmed this.^50-52

 

PAUSE AND PONDER: What would be the best course of action for a pregnant patient with acne?

 

Oral Hormonal Therapies

Combination oral contraceptives (COC) and/or spironolactone may be reasonable therapeutic options for patients with acne vulgaris assigned female sex at birth. Both therapies carry a conditional recommendation for use in acne based on moderate evidence.¹¹ These hormonal therapies work by reducing the androgenic effects on sebaceous glands, reducing sebum production. This can ultimately diminish comedone development and minimize C. acnes bacteria growth.³²

 

COCs containing an estrogen and progestin are effective therapies for acne vulgaris in female patients. Although most progestins in oral contraceptives have androgenic properties, all low-dose COCs are estrogen dominant and produce an overall antiandrogenic effect.³² The four COCs with an FDA approval for the treatment of acne vulgaris are

• drospirenone 3 mg/ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg
• drospirenone 3 mg/ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg/levomefolate calcium 0.451 mg
• norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol/ferrous fumarate (triphasic formulation, meaning dose differs by the week)
• norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol (triphasic formulation)

These are all approved for patients with acne vulgaris who also desire contraception.¹³

 

COCs for acne are not for use in patients who are younger than 14 years of age or within the first two years of starting menses unless it is clinically warranted.¹ Other contraindications to COCs exist, including smokers aged 35 and older and patients with select cardiovascular and gastrointestinal comorbidities.¹¹ COCs may be used in combination with other oral acne medications, including the tetracyclines and spironolactone.¹ All COCs are associated with cardiovascular risks including thromboembolism and myocardial infarction, specifically in smokers. Additionally, they carry a potential risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer.¹³ Providers do not use progestin-only contraceptives for acne vulgaris as their androgenic properties may exacerbate acne.³²

 

Spironolactone is an aldosterone receptor antagonist with potent antiandrogen activity. It decreases testosterone production and competitively inhibits binding of testosterone and DHT to androgen receptors. Spironolactone may also inhibit 5-alpha-reductase (the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT) and increase steroid hormone binding globulin (a protein that binds to estrogens and androgens).¹ While spironolactone is not FDA approved for acne, clinicians often use it off-label based on available evidence and expert opinion.^53-55 When used for acne, spironolactone is dosed at 50 mg to 100 mg in one or two equally divided doses. Patients generally tolerate it well, and the most common adverse effects include diuresis (increased urination), menstrual irregularities, breast tenderness, breast enlargement, fatigue, headache, and dizziness.¹ It is also important to note that spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic and hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) may occur when given at high doses or in patients with comorbidities such as renal insufficiency or severe heart failure. Hyperkalemia can be serious, but young, healthy patients taking spironolactone for acne do not appear to be at significant risk for hyperkalemia and don’t require monitoring.^11,32

 

Rare, Severe Acne Variants

 

Acne Fulminans

Acne fulminans is a rare form of acne vulgaris characterized by the sudden development of large, inflammatory nodules and friable (fragile) plaques with erosions, ulcers, and hemorrhagic crusts. This may occur with or without systemic symptoms such as fever, malaise, bone pain, and arthralgias.³ These lesions typically present on the trunk; however, they may occur elsewhere. Isotretinoin can trigger acne fulminans, but some cases are idiopathic (no known cause). Acne fulminans typically occurs in adolescent males with preexisting acne vulgaris.³

 

Treatment for acne fulminans involves using oral corticosteroids, usually prednisone 0.5 mg to 1 mg/kg/day, in combination with isotretinoin. If isotretinoin precipitated acne fulminans, prescribers must stop this medication and proceed with corticosteroid monotherapy for four weeks in patients with systemic symptoms and for two weeks for patients without systemic symptoms. When acne fulminans resolves, patients may restart isotretinoin in conjunction with the oral corticosteroid for at least four weeks before gradually titrating isotretinoin up as tolerated and reducing the corticosteroid dose. Providers may consider combination therapy with oral corticosteroids and tetracyclines for acne fulminans, but it is less effective.³²

 

Acne Conglobata

Acne conglobata is a severe form of nodular acne that primarily affects males. Large draining lesions, sinus tracts (linear, burrowing lesions resulting when multiple nodules merge), and severe scarring are characteristic of acne conglobata. Unlike acne fulminans, acne conglobata is not associated with systemic symptoms.³ The recommended treatment is oral isotretinoin, but isotretinoin may also occasionally cause severe flares at the start of therapy. Similar to the treatment for acne fulminans, low initial doses of isotretinoin (0.5 mg/kg per day or less) with oral corticosteroids before or during isotretinoin therapy are usually required.³² Intralesional glucocorticoid injections with triamcinolone acetonide have demonstrated efficacy as an adjunct treatment for severe nodular acne lesions.^1,11 Additionally, tetracycline antibiotics have been used for severe nodular acne and may play a role in the treatment of acne conglobata, but they cannot be combined with isotretinoin due to the increased risk of pseudotumor cerebri.⁵⁶ Case reports supporting the use of tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (i.e., etanercept, adalimumab, and infliximab) have been documented, but more research is needed.^57-59

 

Physical Modalities and Complementary and Alternative Medicine

While various physical modalities have been employed to treat acne vulgaris, limited evidence supports these approaches in the peer-reviewed medical literature.¹ Comedeo extraction performed by a professional using pressure and excision when necessary to physically remove comedones may be beneficial in resistant cases and is often used in practice. Use of topical tretinoin cream for four to six weeks prior to extraction may be advantageous.²³

 

Several studies suggest that chemical peels may improve acne mildly, particularly in patients with non-inflammatory comedonal lesions.^60-62 However, more large-scale, high-quality double-blinded placebo-controlled trials are needed. Additionally, evidence suggests the need for multiple treatments, and the results may not be long-lasting.^23,60 Most chemical peels contain glycolic acid or salicylic acid.¹ Patients who are taking isotretinoin are not candidates for a chemical peel due to the increased potential for irritation. Pharmacists should counsel patients using topical retinoids to pause therapy for several days prior to receiving a chemical peel.²³

 

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive superficial peeling modality in which abrasive crystals are propelled onto the skin and subsequently suctioned with a vacuum device, resulting in exfoliation of the outermost layer of the epidermis.²³ A pilot study conducted in a cohort of 24 patients supports the use of microdermabrasion for acne, but these patients continued to take other acne medications throughout the study.⁶³ High-quality evidence to support the effectiveness of microdermabrasion for acne is lacking.

 

Laser and light-based therapies have been used to treat acne, but additional studies are needed to evaluate their efficacy.⁶⁴ Dermatologists have used intense pulsed light, broad-spectrum continuous-wave visible light (i.e., blue light and red light), photodynamic therapy, photopneumatic technology, and laser sources such as potassium titanyl phosphate laser, pulsed dye laser, and infrared lasers.²³ The guidelines conditionally recommend against adding pneumatic broadband light to adapalene 0.3% gel based on low certainty evidence, however available evidence is insufficient to establish recommendations for other light-based therapies.¹¹

 

Photodynamic therapy shows the most promise compared to the other laser and light therapies.⁶⁵ With this modality, the dermatologist applies a photosensitizer, such as aminolevulinic acid, to the affected skin for 15 minutes to three hours.¹ The skin then absorbs the photosensitizer where sebocytes (sebum-producing epithelial cells) absorb it preferentially. Subsequently, a laser or light device activates the photosensitizer that generates singlet oxygen species, damaging the sebaceous glands and reducing C. acnes bacteria. While this treatment has great potential, additional research is necessary to determine the optimal photosensitizer, incubation time, and light source.¹

 

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is an essential oil produced by steaming the leaves of the Australian tea tree. Tea tree oil has been used for a variety of conditions and possesses both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.⁶⁶ Two clinical trials assessed tea tree oil’s effectiveness in acne vulgaris.^67,68 A placebo-controlled trial determined that topical 5% tea tree oil is effective for mild to moderate acne vulgaris.⁶⁷ A comparator trial compared tea tree oil to benzoyl peroxide for acne and demonstrated that tea tree oil is comparable to benzoyl peroxide with better tolerability but slower onset of action.⁶⁸ Pharmacists should note that tea tree oil may be a good option for patients seeking a more natural remedy for acne. While data supports its use, the guidelines state that available evidence is insufficient to develop a recommendation on the use of tea tree oil for acne.¹¹

 

Alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, are weak organic acids that induce skin peeling to improve acne and hyperpigmentation among other dermatologic conditions. They are available over the counter in a variety of dosage forms (e.g., creams, washes, lotions) and are used in higher concentrations for in-office chemical peels.²³ Some preliminary evidence supports the use of alpha hydroxy acids for acne; however, they are thought to confer the most benefit when used synergistically as a component of a comprehensive acne regimen.⁶⁹

 

While conclusive studies supporting safety and efficacy are lacking, several marketed devices claim to improve acne using heat. These devices produce a pulse of heat directly to the lesion, which is thought to kill any C. acnes bacteria present and produce an anti-inflammatory effect. The FDA has cleared multiple devices for this purpose, meaning they have gone through a review process, but medical devices of this type do not undergo the rigorous FDA approval process that requires clinical trials.^{23, 70}

 

Conclusion

A variety of treatment options for acne vulgaris are available, and treatment selection is based on lesion severity and patient preference. Clinicians treat mild acne with topical medications, several of which are available OTC. Patients seeking OTC solutions may consider benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or adapalene, and tea tree oil is an option for those seeking a more natural remedy. Topical therapies are often employed first for milder acne, however they are often beneficial as part of the treatment plan in more severe cases as well. Systemic medications such as antibiotics, hormonal medications, and isotretinoin treat moderate to severe acne. Pharmacy teams should ensure patients are aware of the potential for gastrointestinal symptoms with antibiotics and isotretinoin’s teratogenicity, among other potential adverse effects. Oral corticosteroids are appropriate for very severe cases involving relatively rare acne variants. Several other alternative therapies and physical modalities may be employed as part of the regimen for acne vulgaris, but more research is necessary to assess the safety and efficacy of these options.

 

 

 

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INTRODUCTION

Self-care involves patients' ability to diagnose and treat their own illness without the help of a health care practitioner. Ninety-six percent of patients believe that over-the-counter (OTC) medications make it easy to care for these self-care conditions.¹ Patients save $56.8 billion annually when they use OTC/nonprescription medications instead of prescription medications.² Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are frequently consulted about different self-care conditions and the appropriate choice of OTC medications and devices.

 

PAUSE AND PONDER: Would you be able to recognize the symptoms of an overdose?

 

Naloxone Nasal Spray

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that there were 106,363 opioid-related deaths during a 12-month period ending in July 2023.³ The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) originally approved Naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose in 2015 as prescription only.⁴ It moved to OTC/nonprescription status in March 2023 through the FDA’s Rx-to-OTC switch process.^5,6 The manufacturer drove this change to nonprescription status by providing data showing that the drug is safe and effective and that consumers could understand how to use the product based on the proposed labeling.⁵

 

Naloxone (Narcan, Emergent BioSolutions) was the first OTC medication approved to reverse opioid overdose in community settings. Patients (who use prescription or illegal opioids), caregivers, family members, or friends can now purchase naloxone in community pharmacies, grocery stores, and online without a prescription.^5,7 Based on Federal law, people of any age can purchase naloxone, but state laws may differ. ⁷ Table 1 describes symptoms of an opioid overdose. The overdose can result from use of fentanyl, heroin, morphine, oxycodone, and other opioids. Naloxone works by blocking the opiate receptors in the brain so that the opiate cannot exert its effects. If it is not an overdose situation, patients will experience no effect.⁵

 

 

Table 1. Opioid Overdose Symptoms5

·       Body aches ·       Diarrhea ·       Fever ·       Goose bumps ·       Increased blood pressure ·       Increased heart rate ·       Nausea or vomiting ·       Restlessness or irritability ·       Sweating

 

 

Naloxone nasal spray contains only one dose and is not reusable. It is available in a 4 mg dose. Observers or caregivers should administer naloxone as soon as possible when they suspect an overdose. The observer/caregiver should lay the patient down on his or her back with their neck supported and the head tilted back. The caregiver should remove the tab from the nasal spray. It does not need to be primed. Caregivers place their thumb on the bottom of the red plunger and the first and middle fingers around the nozzle. The caregiver then places the tip of the nasal spray inside the patient’s nose. They should press the red plunger to administer the medication. They can give additional doses every two to three minutes if needed. They should also call emergency services immediately.

 

During an overdose situation, the patient could experience withdrawal effects such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, tremors, shivering, or irritability.⁸ The cost is approximately $45 for two single doses.⁹

 

A Naloxone Nasal Spray Training Device is available for anyone that wants to learn how to administer the nasal spray. The kit contains instructions and two training devices. It does not contain active medication.¹⁰

 

In July 2023, the FDA approved a second OTC naloxone product. RiVive (Harm Reduction Therapeutics) contains 3 mg naloxone. This is also a Rx-to-OTC change supported by evidence demonstrating that the naloxone levels that reach the blood stream are similar in the prescription and nonprescription product.¹¹ The approximate cost is $36 for a twin pack.

 

PAUSE AND PONDER: How would you respond if a 13-year-old girl approached you and began asking questions about the norgestrel birth control? What questions would you ask?

 

Norgestrel 0.075 mg Tablets

In 2019, the CDC reported that 35.7% of pregnancies were unintended in women aged 15 to 44.¹² Unintended pregnancies may result in negative consequences due to a lack of early prenatal care and increased risk of preterm delivery.¹³ Having norgestrel available without a prescription may help to reduce unintended pregnancies.¹⁴

 

Opill (Perrigo) is the first nonprescription oral contraceptive. Opill tablets contain norgestrel 0.075 mg, which is a progestin, or a form of progesterone. It is only used to prevent pregnancy; it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV. The American College and Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Medication Association have endorsed this product. Women of any age can purchase Opill in community pharmacies, grocery stores, and online.^14,15

 

Norgestrel thickens the mucus in the cervix, preventing sperm from reaching the egg. The progestin may also inhibit ovulation, but not in all cases. Each pack contains 28 tablets, 24 active tablets that contain progestin and four inactive tablets that do not contain progestin. Norgestrel will begin working two days after the patient starts a pack and patients must take one tablet at the same time daily to be effective.

 

Missing tablets or not taking the tablets at the same time every day may reduce the birth control’s effectiveness and increase the chance of pregnancy. If a patient fails to take the tablet by three hours or more of her scheduled time, she should take the next tablet as soon as possible. In this case, she and her partner should also use condoms (or another backup method of birth control) or avoid sex (vaginal) for the next two days.¹⁵ Once a pack is completed, patients should start the next pack without any break in between.¹⁶ With typical use, the pregnancy rate is 9 in 100 during the first year of progestin-only tablets and for perfect use (never forgetting to take a tablet and taking the same time every day), the pregnancy rate is 1 in 100 women.¹⁵

 

Patients may experience side effects such as headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, cramps, or bloating.¹⁶ Progestin-only medications are contraindicated in women who have a history of lupus or breast cancer. Opill will be available on store shelves in March 2024. The suggested cost is $19.99 for a one month supply.¹⁷

 

 

OTC Hearing Aids

Approximately 30 million adults in the United States have some type of hearing loss.¹⁸ OTC hearing aids are credited for improving the quality of life in patients, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medication Association.¹⁹ The study used a previously validated model (Decision model of the Burden of Hearing Loss Across the Lifespan: DeciBHAL-US) and simulated the projected probability of hearing loss and the use of traditional and OTC hearing aids in 40- and 50-year old males and females. Use of OTC hearing aids resulted in a $70 to $200 savings over a lifetime. Patients also began using OTC hearing aids earlier in life compared to traditional hearing aids (77.6 versus 78.9 years respectively).¹⁹ The OTC Hearing Aid Act provided the opportunity for patients to purchase OTC hearing aid devices without a medical examination or the necessity of being fitted by a hearing aid specialist.

 

OTC hearing aids are approved for adults 18 years of age and older and can be purchased online or in stores.¹⁸ OTC hearing aids are appropriate for patients with mild or moderate hearing loss. They are not appropriate for severe or profound hearing loss. OTC hearing devices have limits on the maximum output and would not treat severe hearing loss appropriately. Table 2 provides questions that a pharmacist might ask a patient regarding use of OTC hearing aids.

Table 2. Questions Pharmacists Should Ask Patient about OTC Hearing Aids 20

·       Are you 18 years or older? ·       Why do you think you need a hearing aid? ·       Have you had your hearing tested either by a professional or by using an online tool? ·       Do sounds appear muffled? ·       Do you have trouble hearing in a group or a noisy area? ·       Do you turn the television up to an excessively high level?

 

Patients wear OTC hearing aids behind or in the ear canal; implantation is not required. Sound is amplified in the ear canal and moved to the inner ear, where processing and transmission to the brain occurs.¹⁸

 

Patients should first test their hearing by using an online resource that is provided on the product’s website. Once the results are provided, patients can select the best product for their needs using online product selection tools, based on their brand name choice. Table 3 lists features of some OTC hearing devices.²¹

Table 3. Features of some OTC Hearing Devices 21

·       Advanced acoustics ·       Bluetooth streaming ·       Hands-free phone calling ·       Rechargeable ·       Water resistant

 

Brands include Jabra Enhance, Audicus, and MDHearing. Costs range from $200 to $1000 per pair.²² Some health insurance companies may provide coverage for OTC hearing devices based on specific brands.²³

 

 

Lidocaine 4% Patch

Lidocaine is a topical anesthetic and works by inhibiting nerve impulse conduction. It provides a numbing sensation and is used to treat minor pain. Areas that can be treated include the back, neck, shoulders, and knees/elbows.²⁴ Lidocaine patches are not appropriate for areas of inflammation.²⁵

 

Lidocaine patches can be used on patients 12 years of age and older. Patients apply the patch to the affected area of the skin every six to eight hours and should not exceed three applications per day.¹ The patch may fall off if exposed to water, so waiting until the patch is off is the best time to shower or swim. Patches should not be applied to damaged or broken skin. The patch should not be covered with a bandage or a heating pad because too much lidocaine may be absorbed through the skin.²⁵

 

After the patch is removed, it can be discarded in the trash after it’s folded in half (adhesive side in).²⁵ Common side effects include warmth or stinging.²⁶ This product should not be used longer than seven days.

 

Brand names include Salonpas (lidocaine 4%) Pain Relieving Gel Patch (approximate cost is $11 for 6 patches) and Aspercreme (lidocaine 4%) Lidocaine Pain Relief Patch (approximate cost is $10 for 3 patches).²⁴ Pharmacists and technicians should pay careful attention to brand name products with different ingredients. Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch contains camphor, methyl salicylate, and menthol.

 

Diclofenac Sodium 1% Gel

Diclofenac topical gel was also changed to nonprescription through the Rx-to-OTC switch process. The FDA approved it as a prescription in 2007 and approved the move to nonprescription status in 2020.²⁷

 

Voltaren (Haleon) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) gel, which means that it reduces prostaglandins, which are often responsible for inflammation. It is approved for the treatment of arthritis pain in the hand, wrist, elbow, foot, ankle, or knee in adults older than 18 years. It is not approved for sprains, strains, or sport injuries.²⁷

 

Diclofenac relieves joint pain and stiffness.¹ Dosing is based on the area of application. Patients apply 2.25 inches to the upper body (hand, wrist, elbow) and apply 4.5 inches to the lower body (foot, ankle, knee). The dose is measured using an enclosed dosing card.

 

Diclofenac comes with an easy twist cap, which is helpful for patients with arthritis. The gel should be rubbed into the affected area up to four times a day for up to 21 days.²⁸ Voltaren does not feel greasy and has a clean scent, compared to other topical preparations used to treat joint pain and stiffness. Common side effects include mild skin irritation. Patients who are allergic to aspirin should not use diclofenac topical gel.²⁷ Diclofenac has limited systemic absorption and provides pain relief at the site of application.²⁹ Diclofenac topical gel does not work immediately. Patients may not notice relief for one week.²⁷

 

The cost is approximately $19 for a 3.5 oz tube.³⁰ 

 

PAUSE AND PONDER: What symptoms would patients experience if they thought they have atrial fibrillation?

 

KardiaMobile

KardiaMobile (Alivecor) is used as a personal electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the electrical activity in the heart. It is FDA-cleared. KardiaMobile is a single-lead ECG used to detect common arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and tachycardia in 30 seconds.³¹ More than 454,000 hospitalizations occur each year in the United States due to atrial fibrillation.³²

 

The KardiaMobile device is the size of a credit card and pairs or communicates with a smartphone. Patients open the Kardia app on their smartphone and press “Record now.” The patient should place the KardiaMobile device near the smartphone so that the two can connect. The patient places two fingers on each of the pads on the KardiaMobile device. After a few seconds, the results appear in the Kardia app. Patients can save the results or email them to a health care practitioner.³¹ Patients also have access for one year to KardiaCare, which is a service that includes ECG evaluations by cardiologists and monthly reports.³³

 

The sensitivity and specificity for atrial fibrillation are 92% and 95%, respectively, and 85% and 83% for normal sinus rhythm.³⁴

 

The Apple Watch also provides a similar service for the detection of heart arrhythmias. According to a study conducted in 2022, the Apple Watch and KardiaMobile can both detect rhythm and heart rate issues but the KardiaMobile had a nonsignificant trend toward better accuracy and rhythm detection.³²

 

The approximate cost for the KardiaMobile device is $79.³¹

 

Azelastine HCl 0.15% Nasal Spray

Azelastine (Astepro, Bayer) is approved for the temporary relief of nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing due to indoor and outdoor allergies. This is the first available OTC antihistamine nasal spray. It is steroid free and approved for adults and children 6 years of age and older.³⁵ About 25.7% of adults and 18.9% of children have seasonal allergies.³⁶

Azelastine is an H₁-receptor antagonist that prevents histamine from activating the histamine receptor and producing symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. Patients should prime the spray before using it by pumping the spray until a fine mist comes out.³⁷ Before using the spray, they must blow their nose to clear the nostrils. The patient may then tilt their head downward and insert the tip ¼” to ½” into the nostril. Patients then press the pump once and sniff gently.³⁸

 

Children 6 to 11 years of age should use one spray in each nostril twice daily. Children 12 years of age and older and adults should use one or two sprays in each nostril once or twice daily. Common adverse effects include runny nose, headache, and bitter taste. If patients experience drowsiness, they can use the spray at bedtime (and this is a good counseling point). The labeling recommends avoiding azelastine with alcohol or sedatives. Patients should experience relief within the first three hours of the dose.¹

 

If the nozzle is clogged, the patient should unscrew the spray pump unit. The patient should fill a bowl or container with warm water, soak the nozzle, and pump the nozzle several times under water to clear the clog. Finally, the patient should let the nozzle dry before putting it back on the bottle. The product will need to be primed again before the next use.³⁸

 

The cost is approximately $24 for 120 metered sprays.³⁹

 

Olopatadine Hydrochloride 0.1%

Olopatadine (Pataday, Alcon) is used to treat itchy, red eyes caused by ragweed, grass, animal hair, and pollen allergies.⁴⁰ Forty percent of the population has experienced itchy, red eyes due to allergies.⁴¹ Olopatadine is a mast cell stabilizer, which prevents histamine from forming during the allergic cascade.²⁷ Patients 2 years of age and older can use this product. The dose is one drop in the affected eye twice daily every six to eight hours. Reminding patients to remove contacts before use and wait 10 minutes after using the drops before reinserting them is a key counseling point.⁴²

 

Patients should stop using the product if they experience changes in vision, increased eye redness, or eye pain.²⁷ The cost is approximately $20 for a 5 mL bottle.⁴² 

 

Pataday (olopatadine 0.2%) Once Daily Relief and Pataday (olopatadine 0.7%) Once Daily Relief Extra Strength are also available as nonprescription products.⁴³

 

Mometasone Furoate 50 mcg Nasal Spray

Mometasone furoate (Nasonex, Perrigo) is used to treat allergies, such as hay fever, that produces symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny and itchy nose, and sneezing.⁴⁴ Mometasone is a corticosteroid.⁴⁰ It blocks the release of substances that produce inflammation in the body. Nasonex can be used in patients 2 years of age and older. It is the first nonprescription nasal steroid and is full prescription strength.⁴⁰

 

As with many other nasal products, the steps for administration start with shaking mometasone furoate before each use and executing a priming spray before the first use. The patient should

• insert the tip of the bottle in the nostril using a finger to hold the other nostril closed
• breathe in and spray at the same time
• repeat the process in the other nostril
• avoid blowing their nose right after using the nasal spray.⁴⁴

 

Patients 2 to 11 years of age should use one spray in each nostril once daily and patients 2 years of age and older should use two sprays in each nostril once daily. Stinging of the nasal passages is a common side effect. The product must be discarded after 75 days from the first use, even if product remains in the bottle.⁴⁴ Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can remind patients to note the day they start using the product and/or the day when it needs to be discarded on the label. The cost is approximately $15 for 60 sprays.⁴⁵

 

Ivermectin 0.5% Lotion

Approximately 6 to 12 million cases of head lice occur each year. Children between the ages of 3 and 11 years are most commonly affected.⁴⁶ Ivermectin was originally available by prescription only. In 2020, the manufacturer started the process to change the classification to nonprescription. Ivermectin lotion is no longer available as a prescription.⁴⁷

 

Head lice are parasites that survive by feeding on human blood. Lice are spread by person-to-person contact in close environments. Adult head lice are between 2 to 3 mm in length and move by crawling; they cannot hop or fly.⁴⁶ Commons symptoms of head lice include itching on the head and scratching behind the ears.⁴⁸

 

Ivermectin 0.5% lotion (Sklice, Azurity Pharmaceuticals) is used to treat head lice and nits and is approved for children 6 months of age and older. Sklice is applied to dry hair and the scalp. The entire scalp and the hair nearest the scalp should be completely covered before the person applying the lotion pulls it through to the end of the hair. Patients may require the entire tube of product. Sklice is left on the hair for 10 minutes and then rinsed with water only. Patients should wait 24 hours before applying shampoo. Side effects include ocular irritation and a feeling of burning skin. These effects are rare.

 

Lice eradication is possible with one treatment. Treatment is effective for 94.9% of patients.⁴⁹ The approximate cost is $293 for 177 grams, which is a single treatment.⁵⁰ Generic alternatives are also available. Other therapies for head lice include permethrin (approximate cost is $39)⁵¹ and pyrethrin/piperonyl butoxide (approximate cost is $14)⁵².

 

CONCLUSION

More than 700 products have been changed to OTC status through the Rx-to-OTC switch process.⁵³ More are sure to come. It is very important that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians stay up-to-date with not only products on the market from the Rx-to-OTC switch process but also with entirely new product entities. Continuing education programs, product websites, and package information are an appropriate way to become familiar with all new product releases.

 

 

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INTRODUCTION

Did you know that all living cells need potassium to maintain cellular fluid balance? Potassium has many benefits. First, it helps muscles to contract. Second, it helps maintain blood pressure. Third, it helps regulate bodily fluids inside cells (intracellular). However, having too much potassium (hyperkalemia) may have a negative impact. Hyperkalemia may cause arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm), which could be life-threatening. Hyperkalemia can be categorized into two main types: acute and chronic. Patients with chronic kidney disease are especially prone to elevated potassium levels.¹

Consider these situations:

• Gonzalez comes to your pharmacy with a prescription for patiromer. The pharmacy technician attempted to bill her insurance, but the drug required prior authorization. What do you do next? What are the elements of a prior authorization process?
• Williams comes to your pharmacy complaining about edema (swelling due to excess fluid). He has been taking sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS). His doctor asks you, the pharmacist, to recommend an alternative to SPS because of the sodium load concern. What would your response be? What would you recommend to replace SPS?

Acute and chronic hyperkalemia continue to present as major medical dilemmas for healthcare professionals. There is no universally accepted guideline to treat them, and there is no universally accepted classification and monitoring frequency for hyperkalemia. Newer potassium binders, such as patiromer and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC), may allow optimal use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor (RAASi) therapy in patients with hyperkalemia. However, these newer therapies are costly alternatives to traditional treatment.

Helping patients navigate the health insurance prior authorization process to seek coverage is a challenging task for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. If a patient comes to your pharmacy with a prescription for a potassium binder, are you fully equipped to provide the patient with information regarding dosing, storage, and insurance authorization?

Simply put, hyperkalemia is a general medical term that describes a higher-than-normal potassium level in the blood. Normally, a person’s extracellular (outside the cells/in the blood) potassium concentration falls between 3.5 to 5 mmol/L. Mild, moderate, and marked hyperkalemia are defined as potassium levels between 5 to 5.9 mmol/L, 6 to 7 mmol/L, and exceeding 7.0 mmol/L, respectively. While mild hyperkalemia requires monitoring and diet restriction, moderate and severe hyperkalemia may cause cardiac complications.²

 

Epidemiology of Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia is a common occurrence. A 2016 American study of 194,456 outpatients found that over a 3-year period, 10.8% of patients had potassium levels greater than 5 mEq/L and 2.3% of the patients had potassium levels greater than 5.5 mEq/L.³ A 2017 study conducted in a large Swedish healthcare system followed 364,955 participants over three years.⁴ The researchers defined hyperkalemia as potassium exceeding 5 mmol/L and moderate/severe hyperkalemia as potassium exceeding 5.5 mmol/L. Hyperkalemia occurred in 25,461 individuals (7%), and 9,059 individuals (2.5%) had moderate/severe hyperkalemia.⁴

 

Elevated potassium levels are more common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) than in patients without CKD. One study involving four clinical centers and 820 patients in the United States (U.S.) found that 8% of patients with CKD had hyperkalemia.⁵ A study involving 55,266 patients with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 60 (an indicator of kidney dysfunction) enrolled in a managed care organization in the U.S. found that 5% of patients had potassium levels at or exceeding 5.5 mEq/L and 20% experienced potassium levels at or exceeding 5 mEq/L.⁵ A French study involving 1,038 patients found that 17% of those with stage 2 through 5 CKD had potassium levels at or exceeding 5 mEq/L.⁵ An additional study that enrolled 36,359 patients with stage 3 or 4 CKD found that 3% had potassium levels at or exceeding 5 mEq/L.⁵

Hyperkalemia’s History

Sir Humphry Davy at the Royal Institution in London first isolated potassium in 1807 using electrolysis of dry molten caustic potash (KOH, potassium hydroxide). Potassium is an alkali metal and silvery-white in color. It consists of 19 electrons and 19 protons. At 20°C, it has a density of 0.862 g/cm. Potassium is present in all meats, plants, and dairy products and is abundant in fruits and vegetables.⁶

 

Potassium is important for maintaining cellular function. All cells have a sodium-potassium ATPase (Na+ -K+ ATPase) exchanger, which is partially responsible for maintaining the membrane potential. This serves as a basis for conduction of nerve impulse and stabilization of blood pressure.⁷ A diet rich in potassium has been associated with reducing blood pressure, lowering the risk of stroke and nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), and improving bone health.

 

The body maintains potassium homeostasis through various means. Total body potassium content is achieved by alterations in renal (kidney) excretion of potassium in response to potassium intake. Insulin and beta-adrenergic tone (responsiveness of the autonomic nervous system) help regulate extracellular and intracellular content of potassium.⁷ In short, extreme low and high potassium levels are not compatible with life.

 

PAUSE and PONDER: Did you know that a higher-than-normal potassium level (hyperkalemia) can cause neuromuscular symptoms such as muscle cramps and cardiovascular symptoms such as irregular heartbeat? What causes hyperkalemia?

 

Causes and Clinical Manifestations

Hyperkalemia has many causes, including but not limited to, tissue injury, insulin deficiency, exercise, medications, and excess dietary potassium intake^8,9:

• Trauma, massive hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), and tumor lysis (rapid breakdown of cancer cells) may cause tissue injury, which in turn may cause hyperkalemia.
• Insulin deficiency may cause hyperkalemia. Insulin regulates glucose concentration in the plasma and also causes potassium to move into cells until the kidneys have sufficient time to excrete the dietary potassium load and re-establish total-body potassium content.
• During exercise, potassium is released from skeletal muscle cells and accumulates in the interstitial compartment (a small space in a tissue or between parts of the body), where it exerts a vasodilatory effect (widening of blood vessels).
• Medications may cause hyperkalemia by interfering with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). RAAS is a normal cascade that functions in the homeostatic control of arterial pressure, tissue perfusion, and extracellular volume. While many medications may offer cardiovascular benefits by deregulating the RAAS, they can cause concurrent hyperkalemia because the RAAS facilitates potassium excretion in the kidneys.
• Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta-blockers (e.g., atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol), cyclosporine, and tacrolimus may cause hyperkalemia by impairing the release of renin.
• Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) such as benazepril, captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril, and quinapril block the formation of angiotensin II. Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) such as azilsartan, candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan, telmisartan, and valsartan prevent angiotensin II from binding to its adrenal receptor. Both mechanisms contribute to the development of hyperkalemia.
• Heparin causes hyperkalemia by interfering with aldosterone biosynthesis in the adrenal gland.
• Amiloride, pentamidine, triamterene, and trimethoprim block sodium reabsorption in the collecting tubule and reduce the negative potential of the lumen. By doing so, they reduce potassium secretion from the kidneys.
• Spironolactone and eplerenone prevent aldosterone from binding with its receptor and increase the likelihood of hyperkalemia.

Excess potassium intake contributes the development of hyperkalemia. Table 1 lists foods and their elemental potassium contents. Patients with CKD should adhere to a low potassium diet, but patients often find this difficult in real-world scenarios.¹⁰ In addition, potassium-rich diets (foods with more than 200 mg per serving are considered potassium-rich) have numerous health benefits including blood pressure reduction, reduction in risk of CKD progression, and cardiovascular disease and stroke prevention. A low potassium diet may present a treatment dilemma because it may prevent patients from receiving these benefits.¹⁰

To prevent hyperkalemia, limited dietary potassium intake is necessary. Patients who are diagnosed with hyperkalemia or at risk of developing hyperkalemia should limit potassium intake from all sources including food, salt substitutes, and supplements to about 40 to 60 mEq (mmol) per day.¹¹

 

Table 1. Potassium Content of Selected Common Food and Salt Substitutes¹²

Food	Elemental Potassium Content
	Milligrams (mg)	Milliequivalents (mEq)*
Milk	350	9
Apricot (5)	480	12
Avocado	300	7-10
Banana	451	12
Cantaloupe (1/4)	412	11
Kiwi	252	6
Nectarine	288	7
Orange	300	7
Papaya (1/4)	390	10
Peach	305	8
Prunes, 5 dried	365	9
Raisins (1/2 cup)	553	14
Watermelon (1/16)	560	14
Juices (serving size 4oz = 1/2 cup = 120ml)
Apple juice	148	4
Grapefruit juice	210	6
Orange juice, frozen	252	7
Pineapple juice	148	4
Prune juice	301	8
Tomato juice	225	6
Nuts (serving size 1oz = 30 g)
Almonds, dry roasted	210	5
Cashews	187	4
Salt substitutes (serving size ¼ cup)
Examples: NoSalt, Nu-Salt	610-795	15-20
Vegetables (Serving size 8 oz = 1 cup = 240ml)
Acorn squash, cooked	896	23
Beets	530	13
Broccoli, frozen, cooked	332	9
Brussel sprouts, cooked	494	13
Butternut squash, cooked	583	15
Collards, frozen, cooked	427	11
Kidney beans, cooked	713	18
Lentil, cooked	731	19
Lettuce, 1 head Boston	419	10
Mushrooms	550	14
Pinto beans, cooked	800	20
Potato, baked with skin	844	21
Potato without skin	600	15
Pumpkin, canned	506	12
Soybeans, cooked	972	24
Spinach, raw or cooked	838	21
Split peas, cooked	710	18
Sweet potato, baked with skin	350	9
Tomato	251-273	7
White navy beans, cooked	669	18
Zucchini, cooked, sliced	456	12

*Also equivalent to millimoles (mmol)

 

PAUSE AND PONDER: In a reported case, an individual chewed and ingested burnt match heads in a condition called cautopyreiophagia. This activity resulted in a plasma potassium concentration of 8 mmol/L and contributed 80 mmol of daily potassium intake. What signs of hyperkalemia did he probably experience?

Hyperkalemia is usually asymptomatic. However, neuromuscular and cardiac abnormalities may develop as hyperkalemia worsens. Neuromuscular manifestations of hyperkalemia can include paresthesia (tingling or prickling) and fasciculations (muscle twitching) in the arms and legs.⁸ Severe hyperkalemia can cause paralysis that leads to flaccid quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs).⁸ In addition to neuromuscular abnormalities, hyperkalemia may lead to electrocardiogram (ECG) changes. Hyperkalemia causes ECG changes in a dose-dependent manner ¹³:

• Potassium levels between 5.5 to 6.5 mEq/L: ECG will show tall, peaked T waves
• Potassium levels between 6.5 to 7.5 mEq/L: ECG will show loss of P waves
• Potassium levels between 7 to 8 mEq/L: ECG will show widening of the QRS complex
• Potassium levels between 8 to 10 mEq/L: ECG will produce cardiac arrhythmias, sine wave pattern, and asystole

 

These cardiac abnormalities can lead to dysrhythmias and death.¹³

TREATING HYPERKALEMIA

In acute hyperkalemia, patients with potassium levels exceeding 6 mmol/L or patients have who hyperkalemia with any new ECG changes should be referred to a healthcare facility with cardiac monitoring. Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) recommends monitoring vital signs and cardiac changes.¹⁴ In hyperkalemic patients with ECG changes, KDIGO recommends treatment with calcium chloride, insulin, and beta-agonists. In patients with concomitant metabolic acidemia (lower blood pH), KDIGO recommends sodium bicarbonate. Subsequently, KDIGO considers the use of potassium-binding drugs and loop diuretics. KDIGO suggests dialysis in cases of persistently elevated potassium concentrations exceeding 6 mmol/L or ECG changes that are unresponsive to medical management.¹⁴

Treatment of Acute Hyperkalemia

Acute hyperkalemia is generally defined as a serum potassium concentration exceeding the upper limit of normal that is not known to be chronic.¹⁴ Currently, clinicians use no universal classification or monitoring for hyperkalemia. Similarly, no universally accepted treatment guidelines for acute and chronic hyperkalemia exist. Clinicians should not initiate treatment of acute hyperkalemia solely based on serum level of hyperkalemia; they should also consider patients’ clinical manifestations (e.g., ECG changes). Treatment options for acute hyperkalemia may include intravenous calcium gluconate, insulin, inhaled beta-agonists, intravenous sodium bicarbonate, and dialysis. Table 2 expounds on these treatment options.¹¹

 

Table 2. A Summary of Treatment Options for Acute Hyperkalemia¹¹

Treatment Option	Dosage	Advantage(s)	Disadvantage(s)
Intravenous calcium gluconate	1 gram via IV piggyback (small bag of solution attached to primary infusion line). Repeat in 5 minutes if needed	Fast onset	Dose not lower potassium level, only normalizes ECG changes
Intravenous insulin	5–10 units or 0.1 units/kg, maximum 10 units	Fast onset, most reliable treatment	Usually given with dextrose to minimize hypoglycemia
Inhaled beta-agonists (e.g., albuterol)	10–20 mg via nebulizer	Fast onset	Inconsistent effect, nonselective beta-blockers such as propranolol and sotalol may be less effective
Intravenous sodium bicarbonate	50 mEq, which is equivalent to 50 ml of 8.4 % sodium bicarbonate over 5 minutes. Repeat in 30 minutes as needed	Work best with acidosis (pH < 7.2)	Variable onset of action
Dialysis	Treatment given daily or a few days a week	Reliable treatment to remove waste, effective method to attain norkalemia	Extensive equipment and knowledge required to conduct treatment

ECG, electrocardiogram; IV, intravenous.

Intravenous calcium gluconate for acute hyperkalemia works by stabilizing membrane potential and normalizing ECG changes to prevents irregular heart rhythm. However, it does not lower serum potassium levels. It’s duration of effect ranges from 15 minutes to one hour. It may cause adverse effects such as local irritation, hypercalcemia (elevated calcium levels), hypotension (low blood pressure), and bradycardia (slowed heart rate). If no effect is observed in five minutes, another dose may be given.¹⁰

Intravenous insulin works by shifting potassium from extracellular to intracellular space. It has an onset of 15 to 30 minutes and a duration of four to six hours. It may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hypokalemia (low potassium levels). Clinicians typically give intravenous insulin with glucose to prevent hypoglycemia during acute hyperkalemia treatment.¹⁰

Inhaled beta-agonists act within 30 minutes to redistribute potassium from the extracellular to intracellular space. It has an onset of 30 to 60 minutes and duration of effect from two to four hours. Adverse effects include tachycardia (elevated heart rate), tremor, vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels), and hyperglycemia.¹⁰

Intravenous sodium bicarbonate is another option to treat acute hyperkalemia. It lowers serum potassium levels by increasing potassium elimination through the urine. It has an onset of action of 30 minutes to four hours and a duration of effect of approximately two hours. Possible adverse events include hypocalcemia, metabolic alkalosis (elevated blood pH), hypernatremia (elevated sodium), fluid overload, worsening hypertension, and heart failure.¹⁰

Patients may receive one of two types of dialysis: peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis. Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdominal cavity to filter body waste. A surgeon places a catheter in the abdominal cavity. The dialysis solution enters the abdominal cavity through the catheter and will drain out of the abdominal cavity. Hemodialysis, uses a machine to remove excess water and waste products. A machine removes blood from the body and infuses it through a filter. A dialysate solution flows on the other side of the membrane and draws impurities from the blood. Dialysis is an effective treatment for hyperkalemia.¹⁵

Pause and Ponder: SPS used to be the “gold standard” in treating chronic hyperkalemia. What are the newer potassium binders? Are they safe and effective?

Treatment of Chronic Hyperkalemia

Chronic hyperkalemia is defined as recurrent episodes of elevated serum potassium concentrations.¹⁰ Treatment options include loop diuretics, RAASi dose modification, identification and removal of hyperkalemia-causing medications, and potassium binders.¹⁰

Loop diuretics—often used for other indications, such as hypertension and heart failure—increase urinary potassium excretion at the collecting duct of the kidney. Providers commonly use furosemide, a loop diuretic, in chronic hyperkalemia. They often prescribe them with thiazides, ACEIs, and ARBs. However, loop diuretics have their limitations. They may cause volume depletion (reduced blood volume) and their effectiveness declines as renal function declines.¹¹

Another treatment option for chronic hyperkalemia is the modification of dosage or interruption of RAASi therapy. No generally accepted guidelines regarding this strategy in patients who experience hyperkalemia exist. However, the European Society of Cardiology recommends patients continue or titrate RAASi treatment to optimal doses in the event of mild hyperkalemia levels between 5.1 and 5.5 mEq/L and moderate hyperkalemia levels between 5.6 and 6 mEq/L.¹⁶

Potassium binders—including SPS, SZC, and patiromer—are one of the most promising treatments for chronic hyperkalemia. In general terms, a patient will consume fluids with potassium binders. Potassium binders bind to potassium in the bowel and exchange with calcium, sodium and/or hydrogen, usually at the colon. The body will then excrete the potassium in the feces.¹⁷ Table 3 displays onset of action, mechanism of action, and common adverse effects of potassium binders.¹⁰ Note that all potassium binders have a relatively slow onset of action, making them inadequate therapies for acute hyperkalemia.

 

Table 3. Selected Characteristics of Available Potassium Binders^{10, 20, 18, 19}

Drug	Onset of Action	Mechanism of Action	Adverse Effects	Usual adult starting dose
Patiromer	7 hours	Potassium binding in exchange for calcium in GI tract	Abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, hypomagnesemia	8.4 grams orally once daily
Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC)	1–6 hours	Potassium binding in exchange for hydrogen and sodium in GI tract	Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, mild-to-moderate edema	5 grams orally once daily
Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS)	2-6 hours	Potassium binding in exchange for sodium in GI tract	constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, gastric irritation, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, edema, hypokalemia, systemic alkalosis, intestinal necrosis	15 to 60 grams orally daily

GI, gastrointestinal.

 

SPS, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1958, has been the “gold standard” and the lone potassium binder for several decades. Its mechanism of action is potassium binding in exchange for sodium in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, its adverse effect profile is unfavorable and erratic. In fact, the FDA issued a warning for SPS regarding the risk of colonic necrosis (tissue death) and other GI adverse effects when used with sorbitol in 2009.¹⁰

Patiromer is a potassium binder approved by the FDA in 2015. It works by binding potassium in exchange for calcium in the GI tract. To date, it has not caused serious adverse effects. Most of the adverse effects are GI disorders (e.g., constipation).¹⁰ Approved in 2018 by the FDA, SZC is the newest potassium binder. Its mechanism of action differs from patiromer. It binds potassium in exchange for hydrogen and sodium in the GI tract and its main site of action is in the small and large intestines. No serious adverse effects have been reported. Adverse effects are mild and usually GI disorders such as constipation.¹⁰ Veltassa (patiromer) comes in single-use packets containing 1 gram, 8.4 grams, 16.8 grams, or 25.2 grams. User should store Veltassa in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).²⁰

Lokelma (SZC) comes in packets containing 5 grams or 10 grams. User should store Lokelma at 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).¹⁸

COMPARING PATIROMER AND SZC

Patiromer and SZC are safe and effective treatments for chronic hyperkalemia. They allow for continuance and optimal doses of RAASi in patients who develop hyperkalemia secondary to RAASi use. They also enable patients to experience optimal hemodialysis outcomes and can ease the dietary potassium restriction. Providers select a potassium binder based on safety and efficacy, cost, insurance coverage, and roles in the treatment of chronic hyperkalemia, which are discussed in detail below.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

Newer potassium binders are costly alternatives to traditional drugs for hyperkalemia. Table 4 lists their estimated out-of-pocket costs as of December, 25, 2023 according to GoodRx. The cost difference between patiromer and SZC is relatively small.²¹

Table 4. Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs of Patiromer and SZC²²

Drug	Units	Cost
Patiromer	8.4 g x 4 Packs	$ 181.53
	8.4 g x 30 Packs	$ 940.61 – 989.34
	16.8 g x 30 Packs	$ 940.61 – 989.34
	25.2 g x 30 Packs	$ 940.61 – 989.34
Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC)	10 g x 11	$ 289.27 – 324.67
	10 g x 30	$ 782.16 – 871.05
	5 g x 11	$ 289.40 – 324.67
	5 g x 30	$ 781.61 – 782.16

 

Typical monthly costs associated with patiromer and SZC might be unaffordable for many Americans. However, the vast majority of patients have health plan coverage. (Note that the insurance discussions below are current as of January 2023.)

The Humana website reveals that some Humana Medicare plans cover all doses of patiromer at tier 3 (i.e., they are covered with a prior authorization), while some plans cover only select doses of SZC. These Humana plans include, but are not limited to, Humana Gold Plus HMO H5619-150, Humana Community H7621-002, Humana Gold Plus HMO H5619-148, Humana Walmart Value Rx Plan PDP, Humana Basic Rx Plan PDP, and Humana Premier Rx Plan PDP.²³ (Note that an HMO is a type of insurance with a network of contracted physicians and a PDP is a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.)

A cursory check on Scan Health Plans website reveals that Scan Medicare plans appear to cover all doses of patiromer at tier 3, while SZC is not on formulary. These Scan health plans include but are not limited to, Village Health, Scan Classic, and Scan Venture. These plans require a prior authorization on patiromer.²⁴

The Wellcare website indicates that Wellcare Medicare plans cover patiromer at tier 3 without a prior authorization. These plans include but are not limited to Wellcare Classic PDP, Wellcare Value Script PDP, and Wellcare Medicare RX Value Plus PDP. Interestingly, the Wellcare Dual Align 129 plan covers SZC at tier 1 and it requires no prior authorization. It’s important to remember that a covered drug does not mean free. Patiromer’s yearly copay costs (what a patient is required to pay) may exceed $2000, and SZC can cost patients more than $1000 annually.²⁵

Manufacturers of both SZC and patiromer offer $0 per month copay savings cards. To use these cards, patients must have commercial insurance that does not cover the full prescription cost or be uninsured and responsible for the full prescription cost. Patients who are ineligible for these savings cards include those who are^26,27

• enrolled in Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Medigap, Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense programs, or TriCare
• Medicare eligible and enrolled in an employer-sponsored group waiver health plan or government-subsidized prescription drug benefit program for retirees

Pharmacy staff can assist cash-paying patients without insurance contact drug manufacturers to inquire about their patient assistance programs.

Breaking Down the Prior Authorization Process

As noted, some health insurance plans require a prior authorization to cover the newer potassium binders such as patiromer and SZC. This means the insurance company requires extra steps to determine whether a specific medical treatment, procedure, medication, or service is medically necessary and covered under a patient's health insurance plan. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can initiate the prior authorization process. Familiarity with the prior authorization process for various insurance plans is imperative for pharmacy staff. Although insurance plans have different forms and requirements within the prior authorization process, the basic steps are the same.

The major steps of the prior authorization process are as follows:

1. Download prior authorization forms from the insurance company website to determine what they require
2. Collect laboratory values, medical history, diagnosis, medical justification, drug history, rationale for request, and other pertinent patient information
3. Complete the prior authorization forms
4. Fax completed prior authorization forms to the insurance company or upload them via online platforms
5. Start the appeal process if denied

Pharmacists can enlist pharmacy technicians’ help to perform most or all of these steps.

The prior authorization process can take up anywhere from one day to more than a week. It is important to explain to patients that a prior authorization requirement does not mean a medication is not covered. It simply means that the insurance company might need more information before it covers the medication.

Pharmacy staff can sometimes initiate an appeal process if the insurer denies the medication. The most common reason for rejection/denial is insufficient supporting information. The other common reason for rejection/denial is drug class exclusion. For example, some Medicare part D plans do not cover certain drug classes. Once the provider or pharmacy submits an appeal, the insurance company usually takes one to two days to respond. Remember that manufacturer sponsored patient assistance programs can help patients who cannot afford the copay and patients who do not have insurance, and pharmacy staff can help patients with enrollment.

Table 5 lists the contact information for selected insurance plans. However, most tasks or inquiries can be handled online.

Table 5. Contact Information on Selected Insurance Plans^28,23,24,25

Plan	Department	Phone number
Humana	Humana Clinical Pharmacy Review Department	800-555-2546
Express Scripts	Express Scripts Coverage Review Department	800- 753-2851
Scan	Medical Reviews Department	844-424-8886
WellCare	Pharmacy Appeals Department	855-538-0453

 

Safety and Efficacy of Patiromer

The phase 2, multicenter, open-label, randomized AMETHSYT-DN trial determined patiromer starting doses for a phase 3 study and evaluated the long-term safety and efficacy of patiromer in 306 outpatients with hyperkalemia. The mean reduction from baseline in serum potassium level at week 4 or time of first dose titration in patients with mild hyperkalemia was 0.35, 0.51, and 0.55 mEq/L for groups starting at 4.2 g twice daily, 8.4 g twice daily, and 12.6 g twice daily, respectively.²⁹ For patients with moderate hyperkalemia, the reduction was 0.87, 0.97, and 0.92 mEq/L for patients starting at 8.4 g twice daily, 12.6 g twice daily, and 16.8 g twice daily, respectively.²⁹

From week four through week 52, AMETHYST-DN researchers observed statistically significant mean decreases in serum potassium levels. Over the 52-week-long trial, hypomagnesemia (7.2%) was the most common treatment-related adverse event and mild to moderate constipation (6.3%) was the most common GI adverse event. The researchers concluded that patiromer starting doses of 4.2 to 16.8 g twice daily resulted in statistically significant decreases in serum potassium levels after four weeks of treatment, lasting through 52 weeks.²⁹

The OPAL-HK clinical trial assessed the safety and efficacy of patiromer with an initial treatment phase and a withdrawal phase.³⁰ Among 237 patients in the initial treatment phase, the mean change in serum potassium level was -1.01 mmol per liter. Among 107 patients in the randomized withdrawal phase, the median increase in potassium levels from baseline of that phase was greater with placebo than with patiromer. The most common adverse effect in the initial treatment phase was constipation (11%), followed by diarrhea (3%), hypomagnesemia (3%), and nausea (3%). The most common adverse effects of the randomized withdrawal phase in the patiromer group were headache, supraventricular extra systoles (heart rhythm irregularities), constipation, diarrhea, and nausea; all occurred in 4% of all patients.³⁰

Safety and Efficacy of SZC

The phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled HARMONIZE clinical trial evaluated SZC’s efficacy and safety for 28 days in outpatients with hyperkalemia at 44 sites in the U.S., Australia, and South Africa over six months.³¹ Patients received 10 g of SZC three times daily in the initial 48-hour open-label phase. Of the 258 patients, 237 patients achieved normokalaemia (normal potassium levels) with levels between 3.5 and 5 mEq/L and were randomized to receive SZC 5 g, 10 g, or 15 g or placebo daily for 28 days. In the open-label phase, serum potassium levels declined from 5.6 mEq/L at baseline to 4.5 mEq/L at 48 hours. In the randomized phase, serum potassium was significantly lower during days 8 through 29 with all SZC doses compared to placebo. Adverse events were comparable between SZC and placebo. Edema occurred more often in the 15 g group. Compared with placebo, all three doses of SZC resulted in lower potassium levels and a higher proportion of patients with normal potassium levels for up to 28 days.³¹

The double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3b multicenter DIALIZE study evaluated SZC for the management of hyperkalemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis.³² The researchers randomized adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who were managed with hemodialysis three times weekly to SZC or placebo. These patients had pre-dialysis hyperkalemia and received SZC 5 g once daily on non-dialysis days. The researchers titrated doses to maintain normokalaemia over four weeks in 5 g increments to a maximum of 15 g. About 41.2% of patients in the SZC group responded to treatment compared with 1% of the 99 patients receiving placebo. Serious adverse events occurred in 7.3% of patients in the SZC group and 8.1 % of patients in the placebo group.³²

CASE STUDIES

Hyperkalemia usually occurs as a result of other illnesses. Certain medical conditions such as advanced stages of CKD, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction, and/or any combinations of these conditions increase the risk of hyperkalemia.¹⁰ Treating the underlying diseases may alleviate the severity of hyperkalemia. While it’s critical to treat the whole patient, certain comorbidities are of utmost importance, including those imposing the greatest risks of morbidity and mortality. The key is to prioritize treatments according to the risks. Heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, and kidney diseases ranked first, fifth, eighth, and tenth, respectively, in the top 10 leading causes of death in the U.S. in 2021.³³

Case Study #1

Joan Smith is a female patient born on June 18, 1956. She has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, ESRD, osteoarthritis, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and hyperkalemia. Dr. Bach contacted the pharmacist to conduct a comprehensive medication therapy management (MTM) and suggest an alternative to replace SPS.

Below is a list of selected recent lab values for Joan:

Item	Result	Units	Interval
A1C	9.6 (H)	N/A	< 6.5
BUN	28 (H)	mg/dL	8 – 27
Creatinine	2.3 (H)	mg/dL	0.76 – 1.27
Potassium	5.3 (H)	mmol/L	3.5 – 5.2
Sodium	145 (H)	mmol/L	134 – 144
Chloride	99	mmol/L	96 – 106
Carbon dioxide	26	mmol/L	20 – 29
Calcium	9.1	mg/dL	8.6 – 10.2
Protein, total	8.2 (H)	g/dL	6.8 – 8.0
Albumin (A)	5.0 (H)	g/dL	3.8 – 4.8
Globulin (G), total	3.3	g/dL	1.5 – 4.5
A/G ratio	1.6	N/A	1.2 – 2.2
Bilirubin, total	0.4	mg/dL	< 1.2

A₁C, hemoglobin A1C; BUN, blood urea nitrogen.

Joan is taking the following medications:

• NPH/regular human insulin 70/30 50 units subcutaneously twice daily
• Lisinopril 20 mg orally once daily
• SPS 60 mL orally as needed
• Nephro-Vite 1 tablet orally once daily
• Apixaban 5 mg orally twice daily
• Aspirin 81 mg orally once daily
• Ibuprofen 600 mg orally three times daily

 

Joan’s A₁C is out of range, so she would benefit from tighter blood sugar control. The pharmacist recommended changing NPH/regular human insulin (70/30) to lispro 16 units subcutaneously three times daily before meals and glargine 50 units subcutaneously once daily at bedtime. For Joan’s osteoarthritis, changing ibuprofen to acetaminophen 650 mg by mouth every eight hours is prudent because ibuprofen, an NSAID, may precipitate the development of hyperkalemia. While NSAIDs are not contraindicated in patients with kidney disease, clinicians should use the lowest dose possible for the shortest duration and avoid using NSAIDs at all in patients with severe kidney disease. Clinicians can consider a topical NSAID for mild osteoarthritis pain in smaller joints.³⁴ Joan had mild hyperkalemia as indicated by her laboratory result. Her elevated BUN and creatinine values indicate that her renal function is insufficient. Joan’s sodium level is also elevated at 145 mmol/L. Both SPS and SZC can cause sodium overload, so they might not be the most appropriate choice for Joan. It may not be prudent to discontinue or reduce Joan’s lisinopril dose (RAASi therapy). Joan was advised to follow up with Dr. Bach at the next office visit.

After a thorough teleconference with Dr. Bach, the pharmacist recommends starting patiromer with an initial dose of 8.4 g once daily after discontinuing the SPS. Upon consultation with the patient and her caregiver, the technician reminds them to store patiromer in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). If stored at room temperature (25°C ± 2C° [77°F ± 4°F]), they must use the patiromer within three months. For either storage condition, they must not use patiromer after the expiration date printed on the packet and avoid exposing it to excessive heat greater than 40°C (104°F).²⁰

In addition, the pharmacist inquired about Joan’s use of over-the-counter herbal medications. The pharmacist informed Joan that certain herbal medications or supplements such as noni juice may cause or exacerbate hyperkalemia.³⁵ Unconventional over-the-counter traditional Chinese medicines such as dried skin of toads (Chinese name: Chan Su) may cause poisoning and result in hyperkalemia.³⁶

Case study #2

John Williams is a male patient born on August 29, 1965. He has been diagnosed with hyperkalemia, ESRD, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and heart failure. His most recent lab values are presented below.

Item	Result	Units	Interval
A1C	11.1 (H)	N/A	< 6.5
BUN	29 (H)	mg/dL	8 – 27
Creatinine	2.45 (H)	mg/dL	0.76 – 1.27
Potassium	4.8	mmol/L	3.5 – 5.2
Sodium	135	mmol/L	134 – 144
Chloride	98	mmol/L	96 – 106
Carbon dioxide	27	mmol/L	20 – 29
Calcium	11.0 (H)	mg/dL	8.6 – 10.2
Protein, total	8.2 (H)	g/dL	6.8 – 8.0
Albumin (A)	5.1 (H)	g/dL	3.8 – 4.8
Globulin (G), total	3.4	g/dL	1.5 – 4.5
A/G ratio	1.5	N/A	1.2 – 2.2
Bilirubin, total	0.5	mg/dL	< 1.2

A₁C, hemoglobin A1C; BUN, blood urea nitrogen.

John is taking the following medications:

• Patiromer 16.8 mg orally once daily
• Metoprolol succinate ER 100 mg orally once daily
• Simvastatin 40 mg orally once daily
• Sildenafil 50 mg orally as needed for sexual activity
• Sacubitril-valsartan 97-103 mg orally twice daily
• Spironolactone 100 mg orally once daily
• Insulin glargine 40 units subcutaneously at bedtime
• Insulin lispro 14 units subcutaneously 15 minutes before each meal
• Semaglutide 2 mg subcutaneously once weekly
• Empagliflozin 25 mg orally once daily
• Calcifediol 30 mg orally once daily

 

John first experienced high sodium levels while on SPS due to the sodium load per dose. Subsequently, John was prescribed patiromer and experienced stomach upset. Dr. Kidd contacts the pharmacist to conduct a comprehensive MTM and suggest an alternative to replace patiromer.

John’s potassium level was within range and his condition has been stable. However, the calcium level (11.0 mg/dL) is elevated. Patiromer might not be the most appropriate choice. The pharmacist recommended considering SZC. John can start on an initial dose of 10 g orally 3 times daily for 48 hours, followed by 10 g once daily thereafter. Sacubitril-valsartan (RAASi therapy) reduces the risk of hospitalization and spironolactone substantially lowers the risk of both morbidity and death among patients with severe heart failure.³⁷ As a result, the pharmacist recommended that John remain on sacubitril-valsartan and spironolactone as prescribed.

John’s glucose level (A₁C) was out of range at 11.1. He would benefit from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The pharmacist introduced a commercially available CGM device to John and encouraged him to monitor his glucose level after meals, at bedtime, and at any time John feels there is a need to monitor. To reach A₁C target, John should titrate his basal insulin (glargine) by increasing 2 units every three days and prandial insulin (lispro) by 1 to 2 units twice weekly without hypoglycemia.

The pharmacist asked John about the use of salt substitutes and advised him that some salt substitutes may cause hyperkalemia. Regarding erectile dysfunction, John stated that sildenafil was, “…working somewhat but I need a bit more help. My sex life is not what it used to be. Maybe I can purchase something over-the-counter to spice it up!” The pharmacist discouraged the use of commercially available over-the-counter aphrodisiacs containing digoxin-like substances. Atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, and death have been reported with their use.³⁸

CONCLUSION

No universally accepted guidelines exist for monitoring and classification of hyperkalemia. Similarly, no universally accepted guidelines exist for dosage modification of RAASi therapy. When selecting drugs to treat hyperkalemia, healthcare professionals should consider factors such as co-existing diseases, duration of action, onset of action, cost, drug interactions, food interactions, cardiovascular benefits, and renal benefits. Newer potassium binders may help optimize RAASi therapy and provide a safe and reliable chronic hyperkalemia treatment option. The use of these newer potassium binders and the optimal use of RAASi therapy may improve cardiovascular outcomes.

 

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