Heparbase

Drug use and dosing hepatic failure

Hepatic impairment predisposes patients to failure in drug treatment due to both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic alterations occurring in liver diseases (1,2). When treating patients with hepatic impairment, selecting the appropriate drug and the appropriate dose deserves careful consideration. On many occasions, these requirements are not necessarily met. Up to 30% of patients with liver cirrhosis experience adverse drug reactions; 80% of these could potentially be prevented (3).

30%
“Up to 30% of patients with liver cirrhosis experience adverse drug reactions.”

Clinical solution

Heparbase helps advance the safe and appropriate use of drugs in patients with impaired hepatic function. The user is provided with detailed dosing recommendations in each category of hepatic impairment, information on potential hepatotoxicity of drugs and pharmacological backgrounds of the recommendations.

Key characteristics
of Heparbase:

  • Analysis of the pharmacokinetics and safety of drugs during hepatic impairment
  • Dosing recommendations for three categories of hepatic impairment, based on classification recommended by the European Medicines Agency (EMA)
  • Indication of potential hepatotoxicity and evaluation of need for laboratory or clinical monitoring
  • Enables assessment of drug use and dosing throughout different stages of hepatic impairment

Classification methodology

The degree of hepatic impairment, based on the Child-Pugh classification, is divided into three categories, as recommended by the European Medicines Agency (EMA):

Child-Pugh A (score 5–6)Mild hepatic impairment
Child-Pugh B (score 7–9)Moderate hepatic impairment
Child-Pugh C (score 10–15)Severe hepatic impairment

Classification of dosing recommendations

Each recommendation is graded in Heparbase. The recommendations are coded with a traffic light-like system and letters (A–D), according to the need for clinical action.

DThe use should be avoided
CModification of the dose or dosage interval is needed
BThe information is not available, or the recommendation is estimated based on the pharmacologic characteristics of the substance
ANo need for dosing modification

Languages and local drug registries

Medbase content is available in English and more than ten additional languages. To further improve local usability, we accommodate national, local and customer-specific drug product registries, allowing access to information using local drug product names and IDs.

Integration with local electronic health record (EHR) systems is straightforward, enabling smooth and efficient use of regularly updated Medbase drug information across various countries.

Latest information from trusted sources

All information is based on scientific evidence. We refer to published, peer-reviewed research articles from PubMed, a reliable source of biomedical and life sciences literature, as well as regulatory authority approved documents, such as the Summaries of Product Characteristics (SPC) of drugs.

Medbase Knowledgebase is continuously updated to ensure the inclusion of the latest information.

Supporting informed decisions for safe drug use

Enhanced patient safety

Holistic approach to patient’s pharmacotherapy enabling individualised drug treatment.

100% Evidence-based

Fully referenced information with transparency to original sources: documents approved by regulatory authorities and peer-reviewed literature.

Clinical relevance

We provide comprehensive and concise information for safe use of drugs, accessible from one single source.

Digitalised doctor consultation

Designed to support busy clinical practice for safe use of drugs. All information is created and validated by physicians specialised in clinical pharmacology.

Newsroom

Discover our latest updates & customer references

  1. Verbeek. Pharmacokinetics and dosage adjustment in patients with hepatic dysfunction. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. (2008). 64(12): 1147-1161.
  2. Weersink et al. Evidence-Based Recommendations to Improve the Safe Use of Drugs in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis. Drug Saf. (2018). 41(6): 603-613.
  3. Dose adjustment in patients with liver cirrhosis: impact on adverse drug reactions and hospitalizations. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. (2013). 69(8): 1565–1573.