Trends in Adverse Event Reporting Before and After the Introduction of the Med Safety App in Nigeria.

Introduction: Spontaneous reporting of adverse events (AEs) is a mainstay of pharmacovigilance, and an ongoing challenge is how to ensure that more high-quality reports are collected for comprehensive information provision. The Med Safety App, a smartphone-based application, was launched in Nigeria in November 2020 to provide an electronic platform for users to seamlessly report AEs. There has been a paucity of evidence on the use of this application or other mobile applications for reporting adverse drug reactions/AEs following immunization in the Nigerian environment.

Evaluation of cardiotoxicity and other adverse effects associated with concomitant administration of artemether/lumefantrine and atazanavir/ritonavir-based antiretroviral regimen in patients living with HIV.

The interplay of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and atazanavir-ritonavir (ATVr) with Cytochrome (CYP) 3A4 isoenzyme and QTc-interval may spawn clinically significant drug interactions when administered concomitantly. Cardiotoxicity and other adverse effects associated with interaction between AL and ATVr were evaluated in patients with HIV infection and malaria comorbidity. In a two-arm parallel study design, six doses of AL 80/480 mg were administered to 20 participants [control-arm (n = 10) and ATVr-arm (n = 10)], having uncomplicated Falciparum malaria, at intervals of 0, 8, 24, 36, 48 and 60 h respectively.

Low prevalence of isoniazid preventive therapy uptake among HIV-infected patients attending tertiary health facility in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Introduction: the burden of HIV and tuberculosis co-infection is a global public health challenge. Despite the benefit of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) in reducing the rate of co-infection, the uptake is generally limited in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of IPT use and the factors affecting the uptake among HIV-infected patients attending our Teaching Hospital.

Evaluation of the effects of atazanavir-ritonavir on the pharmacokinetics of lumefantrine in patients living with HIV in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, South-Western Nigeria.

Purpose: Atazanavir-ritonavir (ATVr)-based antiretroviral therapy and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) are commonly used drugs for the treatment of human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection and malaria respectively. However, interaction of both drugs, with Cytochrome P 3A4 (CYP 3A4) isoenzyme, may spawn clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions. This study evaluated the effects of atazanavir-ritonavir on the pharmacokinetics of lumefantrine.

Effect of nevirapine, efavirenz and lopinavir/ritonavir on the therapeutic concentration and toxicity of lumefantrine in people living with HIV at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

Patients living with HIV in malarial endemic regions may experience clinically significant drug interaction between antiretroviral and antimalarial drugs. Effects of nevirapine (NVP), efavirenz (EFV) and lopinavir/ritonavir (LPVr) on lumefantrine (LM) therapeutic concentrations and toxicity were evaluated. In a four-arm parallel study design, the blood samples of 40 participants, treated with artemether/lumefantrine (AL), were analysed.

Severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions manifesting as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis reported to the national pharmacovigilance center in Nigeria: a database review from 2004 to 2017.

Background: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs). There is scant literature on the characteristics and causes of these conditions among the Nigerian population. Here, we describe the epidemiology, associated morbidity and mortality, and culpable drugs in SJS and TEN cases using the National Pharmacovigilance (NPC) database in Nigeria.

A Retrospective Review of Serious Adverse Drug Reaction Reports in the Nigerian VigiFlow Database from September 2004 to December 2016.

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a source of concern in healthcare as they negatively affect patients. Serious adverse drug reactions (SADRs) have an even greater impact on patients and the system in terms of morbidity and financial burden. The establishment of National Pharmacovigilance Centers (NPCs) has enhanced ADR reporting in Africa.

Clinically Significant Drug-Drug Interaction in a Large Antiretroviral Treatment Centre in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: An important cause of treatment failure to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the potential interaction between the antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and co-prescribed drugs used concomitantly for the treatment of opportunistic infections and co-morbid ailments in HIV-infected patients. Objectives: The study evaluated potential clinically significant drug interactions (CSDIs) occurring between recommended ART regimens and their co-prescribed non-antiretroviral drugs (CPD) Method: This study was carried out in a large HIV treatment centre (APIN clinic) in a Nigerian teaching hospital, in Lagos Nigeria, caring for over 20,000 registered patients. Electronic Medical Records (EMR) of 500 patients  who received treatment between 2005 and 2015, were selected using systematic random sampling, reviewed retrospectively, and evaluated for potential CSDIs using Liverpool HIV Pharmacology Database and other similar databases.

Antidiabetic Effects of the Ethanolic Root Extract of P. Beauv (Annonaceae) in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats: A Potential Alternative Treatment for Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus has been a menace to mankind from time immemorial. However, a natural product such as P. Beauv (Annonaceae) offers alternative treatment for diabetes mellitus.

Off-label prescribing for children with chronic diseases in Nigeria; findings and implications.

Background: Prescribing medicines in an off-label manner for children with chronic conditions is sparsely documented, even more so among developing countries. This needs addressing. The objective of this research was to investigate the extent of off-label prescribing among children with epilepsy, asthma, and sickle cell anaemia in Nigeria.

Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities of hydroethanolic root extract of Uvaria chamae in streptozotocin induced diabetic albino rats.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of multiple aetiology characterised by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. It is a global epidemic ravaging both developed and developing countries. The situation will worsen if nothing is done urgently.

Potential drug-drug interactions in paediatric outpatient prescriptions in Nigeria and implications for the future.

Background: Information regarding the incidence of drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and adverse drug events (ADEs) among paediatric patients in Nigeria is limited.

Methods: Prospective clinical audit among paediatric outpatients in four general hospitals in Nigeria over a 3-month period. Details of ADEs documented in case files was extracted.

Toxicological evaluation of the aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae).

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The rapid increase in consumption of herbal remedies worldwide has been stimulated by several factors, including the notion that all herbal products are safe and effective. However, over the past decade, several news-catching episodes in developed communities indicated adverse effects, sometimes life-threatening, allegedly arising as a consequence to taking herbal products or traditional medicines from various ethnic groups. Despite the popular use of Moringa oleifera for treating various disorders, there is limited or no scientific data available regarding safety aspects of this remedy, nor are there any documented toxicological studies that can be used to ascertain the safety index of its herbal preparation.

Herbal medicine use among urban residents in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Over three-quarter of the world's population is using herbal medicines with an increasing trend globally. Herbal medicines may be beneficial but are not completely harmless.This study aimed to assess the extent of use and the general knowledge of the benefits and safety of herbal medicines among urban residents in Lagos, Nigeria.