Synergizing pharmacometrics and pharmacovigilance for medication error management: the case of secukinumab

To demonstrate the effective integration of pharmacometrics and pharmacovigilance in managing medication errors, highlighted by a case involving secukinumab in a patient with hidradenitis suppurativa.

We present the case of a 41-year-old male with progressive hidradenitis suppurativa, unresponsive to multiple antibiotic regimens and infliximab treatment. Due to a medication error, the patient received 300 mg of secukinumab daily for 4 days instead of weekly, totaling 1200 mg. The regional pharmacovigilance center assessed potential toxicity, and a pharmacometric analysis using a population pharmacokinetic model was performed to inform dosing adjustments.

Clinical data indicated that the received doses were within a non-toxic range. No adverse effects were observed. Pharmacometric simulations revealed a risk of underexposure due to the dosing error. Based on these simulations, it was recommended to restart monthly secukinumab injections on day 35 after the initial dose. Measured plasma concentrations before re-administration confirmed the model's accuracy.

This case highlights the crucial collaboration between clinical services, pharmacovigilance, and pharmacometrics in managing medication errors. Such interdisciplinary efforts ensure therapeutic efficacy and patient safety by maintaining appropriate drug exposure levels.