WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Pharmacokinetic interactions between albendazole and praziquantel are based on plasma concentrations of the enantiomeric mixture of both drugs with contradictory data, although the antiparasitic activity arises from (-)-(R)-praziquantel and (+)-albendazole sulfoxide. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• The pharmacokinetic interaction between albendazole and praziquantel is enantioselective. Praziquantel increased the plasma concentrations of (+)-albendazole sulfoxide more than those of (-)-albendazole sulfoxide and the administration of albendazole did not change the kinetic disposition of (+)-(S)-praziquantel, but increased the plasma concentration of (-)-(R)-praziquantel. AIMThis study investigated the kinetic disposition, metabolism and enantioselectivity of albendazole (ABZ) and praziquantel (PZQ) administered alone and in combination to healthy volunteers. METHODSA randomized crossover study was carried out in three phases (n = 9), in which some volunteers started in phase 1 (400 mg ABZ), others in phase 2 (1500 mg PZQ), and the remaining volunteers in phase 3 (400 mg ABZ + 1500 mg PZQ). Serial blood samples were collected from 0-48 h after drug administration. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using a monocompartmental model with lag time and were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test; P Յ 0.05. RESULTSThe administration of PZQ increased the plasma concentrations of (+)-ASOX (albendazole sulphoxide) by 264% (AUC 0.99 vs. 2.59 mg ml -1 h), (-)-ASOX by 358% (0.14 vs. 0.50 mg ml -1 h) and albendazole sulfone (ASON) by 187% (0.17 vs. 0.32 mg ml -1 h). The administration of ABZ did not change the kinetic disposition of (+)-(S)-PZQ (-)-(R)-4-OHPZQ or (+)-(S)-4-OHPZQ, but increased the plasma concentration of (-)-(R)-PZQ by 64.77% (AUC 0.52 vs. 0.86 mg ml -1 h). CONCLUSIONSThe pharmacokinetic interaction between ABZ and PZQ in healthy volunteers was demonstrated by the observation of increased plasma concentrations of ASON, both ASOX enantiomers and (-)-(R)-PZQ. Clinically, the combination of ABZ and PZQ may improve the therapeutic efficacy as a consequence of higher concentration of both active drugs. On the other hand, the magnitude of this elevation may represent an increased risk of side effects, requiring, certainly, reduction of the dosage. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this combination.

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Objectives: To describe the medication profile used during pregnancy in a Brazilian capital. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study with data from BRISA study in São Luís, Maranhão. Participants were interviewed in hospitals and maternity hospitals after delivery and were asked about the use of medications during pregnancy. The drugs were classified according the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification and risk categories of the Food and Drug Administration. Results: 5,110 puerperal women were interviewed, of which 93.5% reported the use of at least one medication during pregnancy. The most frequent medications were: antianemic preparations (ferrous sulfate: 72.2%; iron and multivitamins: 4.9%, folic acid: 62.9% and associations with folic acid: 6.7%), vitamins (multivitamins and others minerals: 30.3%), analgesics (paracetamol: 12.3%), antibacterials for systemic use (cephalexin: 5.6%), antiemetics and anti-nauseating agents (scopolamine butylbromide: 5.4%) and antihypertensives (methyldopa): 3.6%). Among the drugs reported: 74.5% were from category A, 18.9% from category B, 5.5% from category C, 1.0% from category D and 0.1% from category X. Conclusions: Despite, the higher prevalence of medication use during pregnancy, most of which are considered safe in pregnancy. However, it is important that the use of drugs during pregnancy is monitored and guided by health professionals in order to ensure its rational use.

Objectives: to describe the prevalence and factors associated with the consumption of folic acid and iron among puerperal women in the city of São Luís, Maranhão. Methods: a cross-sectional study with 4,036 puerperal women through a standardized questionnaire. The dependent variables (outcomes) were: the consumption of folic acid during pregnancy, iron and folic acid before pregnancy. The independent variables: age; schooling; skin color; marital status; income; planned pregnancy; place and number of prenatal consultations. Statistical analyzes were performed on STATA 14.0. For the first two outcomes, Poisson model with a robust variance was used. And for the last one, logistic regression. Results: the prevalence of consuming folic acid and iron during pregnancy were, respec-tively, 77.27% and 84.98%. However, only 0.37% reported the consume of folic acid and iron before pregnancy. In the adjusted analysis, the variables associated with the consumption of folic acid during pregnancy were: schooling and income; the consume of iron during preg-nancy, age only; and for those who consumed folic acid before pregnancy, no variable was statistically significant. Conclusions: high percentage of puerperal women who consumed folic acid and iron supplements during pregnancy, however, the recommended consumption of folic acid before pregnancy was low and maternal, social and economic factors influence the consumption of these supplements.

pela força incondicional.À Cristabell Lopez, a Iuri Pieroni e a Renata Matos por me fazerem acreditar que conseguiria, pelo companheirismo neste processo tão difícil e por serem uma inspiração de como não ser arrogante na academia.À Camila Aragão por todos esses anos de amizade, força e incentivo.À Rebecca Igreja por incentivar o meu melhor.