Effects of the rate and composition of fluid replacement on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous azosemide

The effects of differences in the rate and composition of intravenous fluid replacement for urine loss on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of azosemide were evaluated using rabbit as the animal model. Each rabbit received a 4 h constant intravenous infusion of 1 mg kg⁻¹ azosemide with 0% replacement (treatment I, n =4), 50% replacement (treatment II, n =5), and 100% replacement (treatment III, n =5) with lactated Ringer's solution, as well as with 100% replacement with 5% dextrose in water (D-5-W, treatment IV, n =5). Renal clearance and urinary excretion rate of the drug in treatment III were considerably higher than those in treatments I, II, and IV. In spite of the similarities in kinetic properties, diuretic and/or natriuretic effects of azosemide were markedly different among the four treatments. For example, the mean 8 h urine output values were 98·2, 178, 733, and 237 mL for treatments I–IV, respectively, and the corresponding values for sodium excretion were 11·1, 19·4, 76·4, and 14·2 mmol, and for chloride 13·4, 23·8, 78·9, and 17·1 mmol. Except for treatment III, diuresis and/or natriuresis were found to be time dependent, generally decreasing with time until reaching a low plateau during the later hours of infusion. The present findings also show that (i) no fluid replacement and 100% replacement with D-5-W both produce the same degree (not significantly different) of severe acute tolerance in natriuresis, indicating the insignificance of water compensation in tolerance development; (ii) in treatment II, where neutral sodium balance was achieved, the development of acute tolerance in diuresis can mainly be attributed to negative water balance under this special condition; and (iii) at steady state the hourly diuresis and natriuresis can differ up to about 6·87- and 5·21-fold between treatments. Some implications for the bioequivalence evaluation of dosage forms of azosemide are discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of the rate and composition of fluid replacement on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous furosemide

Effects of differences in the rate and composition of intravenous fluid replacement for urine loss on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of furosemide were evaluated using the dog as a model animal. Each of six dogs received 8-hr constant intravenous infusion of 20 mg (15 mg used in one dog) of furosemide with 0% replacement (treatment I), 50% replacement (treatment II), and 100% replacement (treatment III) with lactated Ringer's solution, as well as with 100% replacement with 5% dextrose in water (treatment IV). Most pharmacokinetic parameters, such as plasma clearance, steady-state volume of distribution, mean residence time, and terminal half-life, were essentially the same in all four treatments. Renal clearances and urinary excretion rates of the drug in treatments II-IV were essentially the same, but about 20% higher than those in treatment I. In spite of the similarities in kinetic properties, diuretic and/or natriuretic effects from furosemide were markedly different among the four treatments. For example, mean 10-hr urine outputs were 646, 1046, 3156, and 1976 ml and mean 10-hr sodium excretions were 87.0, 142, 383, and 97.2 mmole for treatments I-IV, respectively. Except for treatment III, diuresis and/or natriuresis were found to be time-dependent, generally decreasing with time until reaching a low plateau during later hours of infusion. The present findings also showed that no fluid replacement and 100% replacement with 5% dextrose solution both produced the same degree of severe acute tolerance in natriuresis, indicating the insignificance of water compensation in tolerance development; in treatment II, where neutral sodium balance was achieved, the development of acute tolerance in diuresis and natriuresis can mainly be attributed to negative water balance under this special condition; at steady state the hourly diuresis and natriuresis could differ up to about ten times between treatments. Some implications for the kinetic/dynamic relationship or modeling, in the clinical use, and in the bioequivalence evaluation of dosage forms are discussed.     

Comparison of the pharmacodynamic effects of furosemide and BAY g 2821 and correlation of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of BAY g 2821 (muzolimine)

Summary In a biometrically planned, double-blind study on 12 Oedema-free male patients the saluretic effect of muzolimine 30 mg was compared with furosemide 40 mg. The plasma level of muzolimine was determined and correlated with its pharmacodynamics. In terms of excretion during the 12-hour observation period muzolimine 30 mg had as great a cumulative effect as furosemide 40 mg. There was a significant difference in the time-response curve. During the first two hours furosemide 40 mg had more saluretic effect than muzolimine 30 mg. Between two and four hours there was no significant difference between the two substances. Between four and six hours, however, muzolimine was somewhat more effective than furosemide, although the difference did not reach the level of significance. After 6 h there was no longer any difference between the two compounds. The half-life of the fall in concentration of muzolimine in plasma was 3.7 up to 10 h after its administration. The time-response curve of the increased urine excretion correlated well with the time course of the concentration of muzolimine in plasma.     

Effects of the rate and composition of fluid replacement on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous torasemide

The effects of differences in the rate and composition of intravenous fluid replacement for urine loss on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of torasemide were evaluated in rabbits. Each rabbit received 2-h constant intravenous infusion of 1 mg kg(-1) torasemide with 0% replacement (treatment 1, n=6), 50% replacement (treatment 2, n=9), 100% replacement with lactated Ringer's solution (treatment 3, n=8), and 100% replacement with 5% dextrose in water (treatment 4, n=6). Total body (4.53, 5.72, 10.0 and 4.45 mL min(-1) kg(-1) for treatments 1-4, respectively) and renal clearance (1.44, 1.87, 6.78 and 1.72 mL min(-1) kg(-1)) of torasemide, and total amount of unchanged torasemide excreted in 8-h urine (A(e 0-8 h): 694, 780, 1310 and 1040 microg) in treatment 3 were considerably faster and greater compared with treatments 1, 2 and 4. Although the difference in A(e 0-8 h) between treatments 1 and 3 was only 88.8%, the diuretic and/or natriuretic effects of torasemide were markedly different among the four treatments. For example, the mean 8-h urine output was 101, 185, 808 and 589 mL for treatments 1-4, respectively, and the corresponding values for sodium excretion were 10.1, 20.6, 89.2 and 29.9 mmol, and for chloride excretion were 14.5, 27.9, 94.0 and 37.2 mmol. Although full fluid replacement was used in both treatments 3 and 4, the 8-h diuretic, natriuretic and chloruretic effects in treatment 3 were significantly greater compared with treatment 4, indicating the importance of the composition of fluid replacement. Both treatments 1 and 4 received no sodium replacement, however, the 8-h diuretic, natriuretic and chloruretic effects were significantly greater in treatment 4 compared with treatment 1, indicating the importance of rate of fluid replacement for the diuretic effects. Therefore, the 8-h diuretic, natriuretic and chloruretic effects were significantly greater in treatment 3 compared with treatments 1, 2 and 4, indicating the importance of full fluid and electrolyte replacement. Some implications for the bioequivalence evaluation of dosage forms of torasemide are discussed.     

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of furosemide in protein-calorie malnutrition

The influence of dietary protein deficiency on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of furosemide was investigated after iv bolus (1 mg/100 g) and oral (2 mg/100 g) administration of furosemide to male Sprague-Dawley rats fed on a 23% (control) or a 5% (protein-calorie malnutrition: PCM) protein diet ad lib.for 4 weeks. After iv administration, the mean values of CL _R , V _{ss, and the percentages of dose excreted in 8-hr urine as furosemide were increased 81, 31, and 61%, respectively, in PCM rats when compared with those in control rats, however}, CL _NR was 54% decreased in PCM rats. The decreased CL_NR in PCM rats suggested the significantly decreased nonrenal metabolism of furosemide. The urine volume per g kidney after iv administration was not significantly different between the two groups of rats although the amount of furosemide excreted in 8-hr urine per g kidney increased significantly in PCM rats. The diuretic, natriuretic, kaluretic, and chloruretic efficiencies reduced significantly in PCM rats after iv administration. After oral administration, the extent of bioavailability increased considerably from 27.6% in control rats to 47.0% in PCM rats, probably as a result of decreased gastrointestinal and hepatic first-pass metabolism. This was supported by a tissue homogenate study; the amount of furosemide remaining per g tissue after 30-min incubation of 50 g of furosemide with the 9000 × gsupernatant fraction of stomach (42.4 vs. 47.9 g) and liver (41.4 vs. 45.9 g) homogenates increased significantly in PCM rats. No significant differences in CL_R and t_1/2 were found between the control and the PCM rats after oral administration. The 24-hr urine volume and the amount of sodium excreted in 24-hr urine per g kidney increased significantly in PCM rats, and this might be due to a significantly increased amount of furosemide reaching the kidney excreted in urine per g kidney.This work was supported in part by a research grant from the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation, 1990–1992.     

Pharkacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of furosemide after direct administration into the stomach or duodenum

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of furosemide were compared after an oral administration or a direct administration of Lasix into the duodenum in humans (40 mg). Furosemide was absorbed quickly after a direct administration of Lasix into the duodenum; the peak plasma concentration of furosemide was reached within 1 h in both routes of administration, and the peak concentration was higher in all four subjects after a direct administration into the duodenum than after an oral administration. Furosemide was absorbed considerably after a direct administration of Lasix into the duodenum; the values of the area under the plasma concentration–time curves of furosemide from time zero to 4 h (AUC_{0–4 h}, 93·6 versus 122 μg min mL⁻¹, p <0·123) and the cumulative amounts of the dose excreted in 8 h (10 600 versus 15 000 μg, p <0·0185) and 24 h (11 300 versus 15 400 μg, p <0·0192) urine as unchanged furosemide were significantly higher after a direct administration into the duodenum than after an oral administration. However, the amounts excreted in urine as glucuronide conjugates, a metabolite of furosemide, tended to increase after an oral administration (4030 versus 1670 μg as expressed in terms of furosemide, p <0·0858) when compared to a direct administration into the duodenum, possibly due to the increased gastric first-pass metabolism of furosemide. The 8 h urine output and 8 h urinary excretion of sodium did not increase significantly after a direct administration of Lasix into the duodenum, despite the significantly greater amount of the drug delivered to the active site after a direct administration into the duodenum. This could be explained by the fact that the urinary excretion rates of furosemide after a direct administration into the stomach were closer to the values of maximally efficient urinary excretion rate of furosemide during the 8 h experimental period than after a direct administration into the duodenum. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes of furosemide after intravenous and oral administration to rats with alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus

Because some physiological changes occurring in diabetes mellitus patients could alter the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drugs to treat the disease, the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of furosemide were investigated after intravenous (i.v.) and oral administration of the drug (6 mg per whole body weight) to control rats and alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus rats (AIDRs). After i.v. administration, the total body clearance (5.47 versus 7.05 mL min⁻¹ kg⁻¹) was significantly slower in AIDRs and this was due to significantly slower renal clearance (2.35 versus 4.33 mL min⁻¹ kg⁻¹) because the nonrenal clearance was comparable between two groups of rats. The 8 h urinary excretion of furosemide after i.v. administration decreased significantly (2280 versus 3760 μg) in AIDRs due to impaired kidney function; the glomerular filtration rate measured by creatinine clearance was significantly slower (2.86 versus 4.33 mL min⁻¹ kg⁻¹) and both the plasma urea nitrogen (43.5 versus 17.3 mg dL⁻¹) and kidney weight (0.953 versus 0.749% of body weight) increased significantly in AIDRs. This resulted in a significant decrease in the 8 h urine output per g kidney (17.8 versus 43.6 mL) in AIDRs. However, the 8 h diuretic efficiency was not significantly different between two groups of rats. After oral administration, the area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 to 8 h decreased significantly in AIDRs (1200 versus 1910 μg·min mL⁻¹) due to considerably decreased absorption of furosemide from gastrointestinal tract of AIDRs. After oral administration, the 8 h urine output per g kidney (18.6 versus 36.4 mL) also decreased significantly in the AIDRs due to significantly decreased 8 h urinary excretion of furosemide (405 versus 2210 μg), however, the 8 h diuretic efficiency increased significantly (127 versus 35.2 mL mg⁻¹) in AIDRs. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of lasofoxifene on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single-dose warfarin

AIM: To investigate the effect of steady-state lasofoxifene on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin. METHODS: Twelve healthy postmenopausal women received warfarin (single 20-mg dose) alone and during lasofoxifene. R- and S-warfarin concentrations, prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) were determined with each treatment. RESULTS: Lasofoxifene had no clinically meaningful effect on R- or S-warfarin pharmacokinetics. The S-warfarin area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) was 23% and 67% larger in subjects with *1/*2 and *1/*3 heterozygous mutations, relative to *1/*1, respectively. The mean PT AUC and Cmax ratio (90% confidence interval) was 91.9 (89.6, 94.2) and 84.2 (80.6, 87.8), respectively. INR results were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Lasofoxifene has no clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of warfarin. Although the decrease in PT/INR may not be clinically meaningful, more frequent INR monitoring may be considered during lasofoxifene introduction and discontinuation, consistent with warfarin's label.     

Effects of smoking on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a nicotine patch

The effect of smoking on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a nicotine transdermal delivery system, administered as a single dose or multiple doses, was examined in smokers (n=12) and nonsmokers (n=12). The study was a two‐period, parallel trial. In the first period, a single dose of the Nicotinell TTS 20 patch was administered, followed by a 1‐week washout period. Then, in the second period, multiple doses of the Nicotinell TTS 20 patch were administered over 4 days. Regarding the pharmacokinetics of nicotine, the AUC_36h and AUC_τ of smokers were about 20% and 40% greater, respectively, than those of nonsmokers. Significant differences in heart rate were observed between smokers and nonsmokers at 10, 12, 16 and 24 h, and significant differences in systolic blood pressure were seen between smokers and nonsmokers at 12, 30 and 36 h in the single‐dose study. With multiple doses, significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressures were detected between smokers and nonsmokers only at 72.5 and 82 h. Here, it is demonstrated for the first time that the pharmacokinetic and hemodynamic effects of a nicotine patch are significantly different between smokers and nonsmokers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The influence of food intake on the effect of two controlled release formulations of furosemide

Differences in the urinary excretion rate of furosemide may explain discrepancies observed between the bioavailability and the total diuretic effect of different formulations of this drug. Furosemide was given at a dose of 60 mg as two oral controlled release (CR) formulations (FR and LR), with and without breakfast, in a randomized, four-treatment, four-period, crossover design to 28 healthy volunteers. Urinary volume, and contents of furosemide and sodium, were measured in samples taken over 24 h. The extent and rate of absorption of furosemide from FR were decreased after breakfast as compared to fasting: the mean (SD) of total furosemide excreted decreased from 11.38 (3.12) to 7.73 (1.67) mg, p<0.0001, and the median (range) mean residence time increased from 6.3 (4.1–9.3) to 9.5 (5.9–11.8) h, p <0.001. On the other hand, the extent of absorption of LR was increased after breakfast, from 8.04 (3.32) to 9.45 (1.83) mg, p <0.05, without a significant change in MRT. FR had a higher extent and rate of absorption than LR during fasting, but its extent of absorption was lower than that of LR in the postprandial state. Interestingly, the total fraction of furosemide absorbed, as estimated from total furosemide excretion, was not correlated with the total diuresis (r² = 0.079) and the differences in drug response compared among the four periods were much smaller than would be expected from the differences in amount absorbed. This discrepancy may be explained by differences in urinary excretion rate of furosemide and, related to this, differences in efficiency profiles between the four treatments. Therefore, the urinary excretion profile of a formulation of furosemide may be more important for the cumulated drug effect than the amount absorbed.     

Effects of safflower injection on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of warfarin in rats

1.?Safflower injection (SI) is extracted from Chinese herbal medicine safflower that comprises many active components. Warfarin is a common anticoagulant and has exhibited drug interactions with several herbal products. This study aimed to investigate the effects of SI on pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of warfarin in rats.

2.?Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group, SI group, warfarin control group and SI?+?warfarin group, respectively. In SI and SI?+?warfarin groups, rats were injected with SI (1.6?mL/kg/d, i.p.) for 14?days. Warfarin (0.2?mg/kg) was given orally on the eighth day. Saline was given as control. The blood samples were collected at various time points. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were measured. UPLC-MS/MS was used to determine the plasma concentrations of S(R)-warfarin, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated.

3.?PT, APTT in SI and SI?+?warfarin rats increased significantly compared with corresponding control rats. The pharmacokinetic parameters including C_max, t_1/2, AUC_0-t and AUC_0-∞ of S-warfarin and R-warfarin in SI?+?warfarin rats were higher than those in warfarin control rats.

4.?These findings suggest that SI significantly increases the anticoagulant effect of warfarin by affecting its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters.     

美罗培南在化脓性脑膜炎新生儿血浆和脑脊液中药动学和药效学的关联研究

目的 探讨美罗培南在化脓性脑膜炎的新生患儿血浆和脑脊液中的药动学和药效学的关联。方法 试验招募2016年5月—2021年5月在扬州大学附属医院诊断为化脓性脑膜炎的58例新生儿患者,均获得血浆样品,其中17人获得脑脊液样品。出生后2～4周的新生儿以及4～6周的婴幼儿使用8 h的剂量间隔,美罗培南使用剂量为40 mg·kg^-1,输注时间超过30 min。使用带有DIGITAL FORTRAN编译器的NONMEM软件包分析数据。超高效液相色谱联用串联质谱（UHPLC-MS/MS）测定血浆和脑脊液中的美罗培南浓度。使用最终模型估计值的蒙特卡罗模拟（n＝1 000）用于生成不同给药方案的游离血药浓度水平维持在目标菌群的最低抑菌浓度（MIC）之上的时间（fT＞MIC）占1个给药间隔的百分比（% fT＞MIC）和最小抑菌浓度（MIC）值：1、2、4、8 mg·L^-1。结果 美罗培南在血浆中的峰浓度（C_max）、曲线下面积（AUC）、清除率（CL）、表观分布容积（V_d）高于脑脊液中的各项数据,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;血浆中的半衰期（t_1/2）低于脑脊液,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。用蒙特卡罗模拟10 000例患者目标获得概率,随着MIC值增加,血浆目标获得概率降低;血浆中40%最低抑菌浓度（MIC）的时间百分比（40% TMIC）、60% TMIC、80% TMIC、100% TMIC目标获得概率逐渐降低。随着MIC值增加,脑脊液目标获得概率降低;脑脊液中40% TMIC、60% TMIC、80% TMIC、100% TMIC目标获得概率逐渐降低。结论 模拟试验表明,当MIC为2 μg·mL^-1时,美罗培南在血浆中的目标获得概率可以达标,其在脑脊液中的目标获得概率不能达标,治疗时需要增加美罗培南的剂量或缩短给药间隔,以达到治疗目标。     

Safety,tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of losmapimod following a single intravenous or oral dose in healthy volunteers

Aims

The purpose of this study was to establish safety and tolerability of a single intravenous (IV) infusion of a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, losmapimod, to obtain therapeutic levels rapidly for a potential acute coronary syndrome indication. Pharmacokinetics (PK) following IV dosing were characterized, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationships between losmapimod and phosphorylated heat shock protein 27 (pHSP27) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were explored.

Methods

Healthy volunteers received 1 mg losmapimod IV over 15 min (n = 4) or 3 mg IV over 15 min followed by a washout period and then 15 mg orally (PO; n = 12). Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by noncompartmental methods. The PK/PD relationships were explored using modelling and simulation.

Results

There were no deaths, nonfatal serious adverse events or adverse events leading to withdrawal. Headache was the only adverse event reported more than once (n = 3 following oral dosing). Following 3 mg IV and 15 mg PO, C_max was 59.4 and 45.9 μg l⁻¹ and AUC_0–∞ was 171.1 and 528.0 μg h l⁻¹, respectively. Absolute oral bioavailability was 0.62 [90% confidence interval (CI) 0.56, 0.68]. Following 3 mg IV and 15 mg PO, maximal reductions in pHSP27 were 44% (95% CI 38%, 50%) and 55% (95% CI 50%, 59%) occurring at 30 min and 4 h, respectively. There was a 17% decrease (95% CI 9%, 24%) in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein 24 h following oral dosing. A direct-link maximal inhibitory effect model related plasma concentrations to pHSP27 concentrations.

Conclusions

A single IV infusion of losmapimod in healthy volunteers was safe and well tolerated, and may potentially serve as an initial loading dose in acute coronary syndrome as rapid exposure is achieved.     

Effects of cytochrome P450 inducers and inhibitors on the pharmacokinetics of intravenous furosemide in rats: involvement of CYP2C11, 2E1, 3A1 and 3A2 in furosemide metabolism

Objectives It has been reported that the non‐renal clearance of furosemide was significantly faster in rats pretreated with phenobarbital but was not altered in rats pretreated with 3‐methylcholanthrene. However, no studies on other cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes have yet been reported in rats. Method Furosemide 20 mg/kg was administered intravenously to rats pretreated with various CYP inducers –3‐methylcholanthrene, orphenadrine citrate and isoniazid, inducers of CYP1A1/2, 2B1/2 and 2E1, respectively, in rats – and inhibitors – SKF‐525A (a nonspecific inhibitor of CYP isozymes), sulfaphenazole, cimetidine, quinine hydrochloride and troleandomycin, inhibitors of CYP2C6, 2C11, 2D and 3A1/2, respectively, in rats. Key findings The non‐renal clearance of furosemide was significantly faster (55.9% increase) in rats pretreated with isoniazid, but slower in those pretreated with cimetidine or troleandomycin (38.5% and 22.7% decreases, respectively), than controls. After incubation of furosemide with baculovirus‐infected insect cells expressing CYP2C11, 2E1, 3A1 or 3A2, furosemide was metabolized via CYP2C11, 2E1, 3A1 and 3A2. Conclusions These findings could help explain possible pharmacokinetic changes of furosemide in various rat disease models (where CYP2C11, 2E1, 3A1 and/or CYP3A2 are altered) and drug–drug interactions between furosemide and other drugs (mainly metabolized via CYP2C11, 2E1, 3A1 and/or 3A2).     

Effects of a sauna on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of midazolam and ephedrine in healthy young women

Summary The effect of a sauna on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single doses of ephedrine 50 mg and midazolam 15 mg have been studied in 6 young healthy women in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study.The sauna (3 × 10 min; temperature 80–100°C; relative humidity 30–50%) modified the pharmacokinetics of both drugs: it retarded the absorption of midazolam estimated as K_a values, and it reduced the mean plasma midazolam concentrations at 2 h; ephedrine, was absorbed more rapidly and the maximum plasma concentration occurred earlier than in the control sessions.Changes in the pharmacodynamics due to the sauna were consistent with the pharmacokinetic findings: midazolam decreased flicker recognition and induced exophoria significantly less during the early sauna period than in the control session, whereas ephedrine made the volunteers subjectively more alert at that time. Later, at 2.5 and 3.5 h (1 h 20 min and 2 h 20 min after cessation of the sauna), and despite the equalisation of the plasma levels, midazolam caused significantly more exophoria after the sauna than in the control situation.This indicates an influence of a sauna on drug pharmacodynamics in the post-sauna adaptive phase. The results suggest that exposure to a sauna may alter both drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.     

Effect of itraconazole on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of zopiclone

Objective: We studied the possible interaction between itraconazole, a potent inhibitor of CYP3A, and zopiclone, a short-acting hypnotic. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, two-phase crossover design was used. Ten healthy young subjects received daily either 200 mg itraconazole or placebo for 4 days. On day 4 they ingested a single 7.5-mg oral dose of zopiclone. Plasma concentrations of zopiclone and itraconazole were determined and pharmacodynamic responses were measured up to 17 h. Results: Itraconazole significantly increased the C_max of zopiclone from 49 to 63 ng ⋅ ml⁻¹. The t_1/2 of zopiclone was prolonged from 5.0 to 7.0 h. The AUC(0–∞) of zopiclone was increased from 415 to 719 ng ⋅ ml⁻¹ h by itraconazole. No statistically significant differences were observed in the pharmacodynamic responses between the groups. Conclusion: Itraconazole has a statistically significant pharmacokinetic interaction with zopiclone but this is only of limited clinical importance, at least in young adults. Received: 15 April 1996 /Accepted in revised form: 4 June 1996     

Sublingual administration of furosemide: new application of an old drug

What is already known about this subject

• Furosemide is an effective diuretic, but its absorption may be too slow to allow oral treatment in certain patients.

What this study adds

• In healthy volunteers, sublingual administration is associated with a higher C_max, a higher bioavailability and a more accentuated initial natriuretic response than oral furosemide. Sublingual administration may offer advantages over oral administration of furosemide in certain clinical situations.

Background

In patients with decompensated heart failure, absorption of orally administered furosemide may be delayed, possibly leading to impaired pharmacodynamic effects. Sublingual administration may represent an alternative in such situations.

Methods

In a crossover study including 11 healthy men, 20 mg furosemide was administered intravenously, orally and sublingually on three different days. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics were assessed from repeated blood and urine samples.

Results

Compared with oral administration, sublingual administration was associated with 43% higher C_max[difference 215 ng ml⁻¹, 95% confidence interval (CI) 37, 392], a higher urinary recovery (8.9 vs. 7.3 mg, difference 1.6 mg, 95% CI 0.3, 2.9), an 28% higher AUC (difference 328 ng h⁻¹ ml⁻¹, 95% CI 24, 632) and a higher bioavailability of furosemide (59 vs. 47%, difference 12.0%, 95% CI −1.2, 25.2). Sodium excretion was higher after sublingual compared with oral administration (peak excretion rate 1.8 vs. 1.4 mmol min⁻¹, P < 0.05), whereas urine volume did not differ significantly between the two application modes. In comparison, intravenous administration showed the expected more rapid and intense response.

Conclusion

Sublingually administered furosemide tablets differ in certain kinetic and dynamic properties from identical tablets given orally. Sublingual administration of furosemide may offer therapeutic advantages in certain groups of patients.     

The effect of aging on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of prazosin

Objective: The effect of age on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of prazosin (α₁ adrenoceptor blocker) was studied in 20 healthy volunteers. Patients: Ten elderly (61–81 y) and ten young (23–28 y) subjects were studied. All subjects received 1 mg of prazosin orally in a fasting state. Serial blood samples were collected for calculation of oral pharmacokinetics, and blood pressure and pulse rate were measured during blood collection. Subjects remained supine and fasting for the first three hours post drug administration, after which they were allowed to ambulate and eat. Results: The oral pharmacokinetics of prazosin were not different in the two age groups. The serum t_1/2 in the elderly was 210 min while in the young group was 139 min. The AUC_0−∞ in the two groups was not different. The C_max was identical in the two groups, and the time to C_max was 84 min in the elderly and 114 min in the young subjects. Protein binding was 93.4% in the elderly and 93.5% in the young subjects and the serum α₁ acid glycoprotein concentration was not different in the two groups of subjects. Even though the pharmacokinetics of prazosin were unchanged by age, the haemodynamic effects of the drug were greater in the elderly. The fall in systolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure was significantly greater in the elderly group at multiple time points after drug administration while the change in diastolic blood pressure was equivalent in the two age groups. Despite a greater decrease in mean blood pressure in the elderly, the compensatory increase in heart rate was similar in the two age groups suggesting a difference in the baroreceptor reflex in the two age groups. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that age does not alter the pharmacokinetics of oral prazosin, but the pharmacodynamic response at equivalent plasma prazosin concentration is greater in the elderly. Received: 20 April 1995/Accepted in revised form: 18 September 1995     

药代动力学药效动力学结合模型研究进展

药代动力学和药效动力学共同构成了现代药理学研究的基础。PK/PD模型是将两者相结合,以说明给予某一剂量后所引起的药理作用的时间过程。研究PK/PD关系不但有助于正确指导临床用药,还可以用于探讨药物作用机制、新药评估以及新制剂的开发等。本文就近些年来PK/PD模型在药理学和毒理学,临床应用以及新药开发等方面的研究进展作一简要的综述。