Analysis of Adherence to Fluoxetine Treatment through its Plasma Concentration

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

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBrazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 58
Main Authors Raasch, Juliana Raquel, Vargas, Tainara Gomes, Santos, Andressa Schmidt dos, Hahn, Roberta Ziles, Silva, Anne Caroline Cezimbra da, Antunes, Marina Venzon, Linden, Rafael, Betti, Andresa Heemann, Perassolo, Magda Susana
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Portuguese
Published Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas 01.01.2022
Universidade de São Paulo
Subjects
Adherence to treatment
BMQ
Fluoxetine
Morisky-Green
Norfluoxetine
PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY
Plasma concentration
Morisky-Green
Fluoxetine
Adherence to treatment
Norfluoxetine
BMQ
Plasma concentration
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Summary:Abstract Depression plays an important role in non-adherence to medical recommendations. Fluoxetine is a first line of depression treatment. This study aimed to evaluate adherence to drug therapy in fluoxetine users by different methods. A cross-section study was conducted with 53 depressed patients on fluoxetine for at least six months. Drug therapy adherence was assessed by validated questionnaires [Brief Medication Questionnaire (BMQ) and Morisky-Green test (MG)] and by the blood concentration of fluoxetine and its active metabolite norfluoxetine. Blood samples were taken before the daily first dose of fluoxetine. The plasmatic concentration of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine indicated that 58.5% volunteers were within the recommended therapeutic range and thus considered adherent to drug therapy. However, questionnaires indicated a non-adherent majority: 41.5% patients had a high degree of adherence in MG and only 13.2% were adherent to pharmacological treatment in BMQ. Most fluoxetine users showed a plasma concentration of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine within the therapeutic range, despite the low adherence to the drug therapy evaluated by the questionnaires. Thus, we suggest that plasma levels of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine could be used as the main method to check adherence to treatment.
ISSN:2175-9790
2175-9790
DOI:10.1590/s2175-97902022e20812