Comparison of the Efficacy of Posaconazole Delayed Release Tablets and Suspension in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Patients.

Objectives: Posaconazole is effective in preventing invasive fungal infections in neutropenic pediatric patients. The oral suspension has challenges in administration and absorption that are theorized to be minimized with delayed release tablets. However, this has not been validated in the pediatric population. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of posaconazole suspension and delayed release tablets in pediatric hematology/oncology patients.

Methods: A retrospective chart review in pediatric hematology/oncology patients was conducted from February 2013 to February 2017. Data collected include patient demographic data; posaconazole formulation, dose, and serum concentrations; and adverse events.

Results: Sixty-five patients with 353 serum posaconazole concentrations were included; 51.6% of concentrations drawn while patients were receiving posaconazole suspension were therapeutic, whereas 62.5% of concentrations drawn while patients were receiving posaconazole delayed release tablets were therapeutic (p = 0.035). Serum concentrations drawn while taking acid suppression (histamine receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors) and posaconazole suspension were less likely to be therapeutic (p < 0.0001) compared with those taken while receiving delayed release tablets. Adverse event profiles were similar between both formulations.

Conclusions: Delayed release tablets proved more effective in achieving therapeutic serum posaconazole concentrations than posaconazole suspension, with minimal difference in adverse events, in pediatric hematology/oncology patients.