A data analysis of Alprostadil in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System
(FAERS) database
Abstract
Background: In clinical experience, the adverse events of alprostadil
are widely acknowledged; However, there remain adverse reactions that go
unnoticed. Methods: In order to evaluate the imbalance of adverse events
associated with alprostadil in real-world data, four algorithms (ROR,
PRR, BCPNN, and EBGM) were utilized as metrics to identify signals of
adverse events linked to alprostadil. Results: In this study, a total of
13,703,053 reported cases were collected from the FAERS database during
the study period (from the third quarter of 2014 to the second quarter
of 2023). 2393 case reports were analyzed after the exclusion of
duplicates and identified using four algorithms. Among these cases, 725
AEs were identified, of which 119 were found to be ADRs related to
alprostadil as the primary suspect drug. The observed adverse effects of
alprostadil, including hypokalemia and pain, were discovered.
Additionally, other noted adverse effects were identified, indicating a
condition that is not mentioned in the package insert. Conclusion: This
study has discovered previously unknown indicators of adverse drug
reactions linked to alprostadil, offering valuable understanding into
the correlation between adverse drug reactions and the usage of
alprostadil. The results emphasize the potential negative effects
arising from alprostadil usage, as well as the potential harm resulting
from incorrect administration operation, ultimately enhancing patient
safety throughout alprostadil treatment.