Ritonavir is the best alternative to ketoconazole as an index inhibitor of cytochrome P450-3A in drug–drug interaction studies

Aims

The regulatory prohibition of ketoconazole as a CYP3A index inhibitor in drug–drug interaction (DDI) studies has compelled consideration of alternative inhibitors.

Methods

The biomedical literature was searched to identify DDI studies in which oral midazolam (MDZ) was the victim, and the inhibitory perpetrator was either ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, or ritonavir. The ratios (R_AUC) of total area under the curve (AUC) for MDZ with inhibitor divided by MDZ AUC in the control condition were aggregated across individual studies for each inhibitor.

Results

Mean (± SE) R_AUC values were: ketoconazole (15 studies, 131 subjects), 11.5 (±1.2); itraconazole (five studies, 48 subjects), 7.3 (±1.0); clarithromycin (five studies, 73 subjects), 6.5 (±10.9); and ritonavir (13 studies, 159 subjects), 14.5 (±2.0). Differences among inhibitors were significant (F = 5.31, P < 0.005). R_AUC values were not significantly related to inhibitor dosage or to duration of inhibitor pre-exposure prior to administration of MDZ.

Conclusions

Ritonavir produces CYP3A inhibition equivalent to or greater than ketoconazole, and is the best index CYP3A inhibitor alternative to ketoconazole. Cobicistat closely resembles ritonavir in structure and function, and can also be considered. Itraconazole and clarithromycin are not suitable alternatives since they do not produce inhibition comparable with ketoconazole or ritonavir, and have other significant disadvantages as well.     

Progressive decline in tacrolimus clearance after renal transplantation is partially explained by decreasing CYP3A4 activity and increasing haematocrit

Aims

The long-term disposition of tacrolimus following kidney transplantation is characterized by a gradual decrease in dose requirements and increase in dose-corrected exposure. This phenomenon has been attributed to a progressive decline in cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) activity, although this has never been demonstrated in vivo.

Methods

Sixty-five tacrolimus- and 10 cyclosporine-treated renal transplant recipients underwent pharmacokinetic testing at day 7 and months 1, 3, 6 and 12 after transplantation, including 8-h area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) for tacrolimus or cyclosporine and assessment of CYP3A4 activity using oral and intravenous midazolam (MDZ) drug probes.

Results

Tacrolimus clearance decreased gradually throughout the entire first year but only in CYP3A5*3/*3 homozygous recipients (25.6 ± 11.1 l h^–1 at day 7; 17 ± 9.1 l h^–1 at month 12; P < 0.001). In mixed model analysis, decreasing CYP3A4 activity, measured by apparent oral MDZ clearance (924 ± 443 ml min^–1 at day 7 vs. 730 ± 344 ml min^–1 at month 1; P < 0.001), explained 55.4% of the decline in tacrolimus clearance in the first month. CYP3A4 activity decreased by 18.9 ml min^–1 for every milligram of methylprednisolone dose tapering within the first month; beyond this point it remained stable. A gradual rise in haematocrit throughout the entire first year explained 31.7% of the decrease in tacrolimus clearance in the first month and 23.6% of the decrease between months 1 and 12. Cyclosporine clearance did not change over time.

Conclusions

The maturation of tacrolimus disposition in the first year after renal transplantation observed in CYP3A5*3/*3 homozygous patients can partly be explained by a (steroid tapering-related) decline in CYP3A4 activity and a progressive increase in haematocrit.     

Effect of lopinavir/ritonavir on the pharmacokinetics of selexipag an oral prostacyclin receptor agonist and its active metabolite in healthy subjects

Aims

This study investigated the effect of a fixed dose combination of lopinavir/ritonavir on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of selexipag and its active metabolite ACT-333679.

Methods

This was an open label, randomized, single centre, two way, crossover study. Twenty healthy male subjects were treated with a single dose of 400 µg selexipag alone and in combination with multiple doses of lopinavir/ritonavir (400/100 mg) twice daily.

Results

The results showed that lopinavir/ritonavir approximately doubled the exposure to selexipag. The area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC(0,∞) and the maximum plasma concentration (C_max) of selexipag were 2.2- and 2.1-fold higher, respectively, than under selexipag alone, with a 90% confidence interval (CI) of the geometric mean ratio (GMR) of 1.9, 2.7 and 1.7, 2.6, respectively. For ACT-333679, the clinically more relevant component of selexipag, systemic exposure was increased by 8% (GMR of AUC(0,∞) 1.1, 90% CI 0.9, 1.3), when lopinavir/ritonavir was co-administered with selexipag.The most frequently reported adverse event (AE) was headache. A single dose of selexipag, administered either alone or together with multiple doses of lopinavir/ritonavir, was safe and well tolerated.

Conclusions

Lopinavir/ritonavir does not affect the PK parameters of selexipag and ACT-333679 to a clinically relevant extent. Therefore, adaptation of the selexipag dose is not required when co-administered with inhibitors of the organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1/ 1B3, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and/or CYP3A4.     

Effects of oral clotrimazole troches on the pharmacokinetics of oral and intravenous midazolam

AIMS

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of oral clotrimazole troches on the pharmacokinetics of oral and intravenous midazolam in the plasma.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized, open-label, four-way crossover study in 10 healthy volunteers. Each volunteer received oral midazolam 2 mg or intravenous midazolam 0.025 mg kg⁻¹ with and without oral clotrimazole troches 10 mg taken three times daily for 5 days. Each study period was separated by 14 days. Serial blood samples were collected up to 24 h after oral midazolam and 6 h after intravenous midazolam. Plasma concentrations for midazolam and its metabolite 1-hydroxymidazolam were measured and fitted to a noncompartmental model to estimate the pharmacokinetic parameters.

RESULTS

Ten healthy volunteers aged 21–26 years provided written informed consent and were enrolled into the study. Clotrimazole decreased the apparent oral clearance of midazolam from 57 ± 13 l h⁻¹[95% confidence interval 48, 66] to 36 ± 9.8 l h⁻¹ (95% confidence interval 29, 43) (P= 0.003). These changes were accompanied by a decrease in the area under the concentration–time curve (mean difference 22 µg h⁻¹ l⁻¹, P= 0.001) and bioavailability (mean difference 0.21, P= NS). There were no significant differences in the systemic clearance of midazolam with or without clotrimazole troches.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral clotrimazole troches decreased the apparent oral clearance of midazolam; no significant differences in the systemic clearance of midazolam were found.     

Midazolam microdose to determine systemic and pre-systemic metabolic CYP3A activity in humans

Aim

We aimed to establish a method to assess systemic and pre-systemic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A activity using ineffective microgram doses of midazolam.

Methods

In an open, one sequence, crossover study, 16 healthy participants received intravenous and oral midazolam at microgram (0.001 mg intravenous and 0.003 mg oral) and regular milligram (1 mg intravenous and 3 mg oral) doses to assess the linearity of plasma and urine pharmacokinetics.

Results

Dose-normalized AUC and C_max were 37.1 ng ml⁻¹h [95% CI 35.5, 40.6] and 39.1 ng ml⁻¹ [95% CI 30.4, 50.2] for the microdose and 39.0 ng ml⁻¹h [95% CI 36.1, 42.1] and 37.1 ng ml⁻¹ [95% CI 26.9, 51.3] for the milligram dose. CL_met was 253 ml min⁻¹ [95% CI 201, 318] vs. 278 ml min⁻¹ [95% CI 248, 311] for intravenous doses and 1880 ml min⁻¹ [95% CI 1590, 2230] vs. 2050 ml min⁻¹ [95% CI 1720, 2450] for oral doses. Oral bioavailability of a midazolam microdose was 23.4% [95% CI 20.0, 27.3] vs. 20.9% [95% CI 17.1, 25.5] after the regular dose. Hepatic and gut extraction ratios for microgram doses were 0.44 [95% CI 0.39, 0.49] and 0.53 [95% CI 0.45, 0.63] and compared well with those for milligram doses (0.43 [95% CI 0.37, 0.49] and 0.61 [95% CI 0.53, 0.70]).

Conclusion

The pharmacokinetics of an intravenous midazolam microdose is linear to the applied regular doses and can be used to assess safely systemic CYP3A activity and, in combination with oral microdoses, pre-systemic CYP3A activity.     

A clinical study to assess CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 induction by AZD7325, a selective GABA(A) receptor modulator - an in vitro and in vivo comparison

AIM(S)

To investigate the potential of AZD7325 to induce CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 enzyme activities.

METHODS

Induction of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 by AZD7325 was first evaluated using cultured human hepatocytes. The effect of multiple doses of 10 mg AZD7325 on the pharmacokinetics of midazolam and caffeine was then examined in healthy subjects.

RESULTS

The highest CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 induction responses were observed in human hepatocytes treated with 1 or 10 µm of AZD7325, in the range of 17.9%–54.9% and 76.9%–85.7% of the positive control responses, respectively. The results triggered the further clinical evaluation of AZD7325 induction potential. AZD7325 reached a plasma C_max of 0.2 µm after 10 mg daily dosing to steady-state. AZD7325 decreased midazolam geometric mean AUC by 19% (0.81-fold, 90% CI 0.77, 0.87), but had no effect on midazolam C_max (90% CI 0.82, 0.97). The mean CL/F of midazolam increased from 62 l h⁻¹ (midazolam alone) to 76 l h⁻¹ when co-administered with AZD7325. The AUC and C_max of caffeine were not changed after co-administration of AZD7325, with geometric mean ratios (90% CI) of 1.17 (1.12, 1.23) and 0.99 (0.95, 1.03), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

While AZD7325 appeared to be a potent CYP3A4 inducer and a moderate CYP1A2 inducer from in vitro studies, the expected efficacious dose of AZD7325 had no effect on CYP1A2 activity and only a weak inducing effect on CYP3A4 activity. This comparison of in vitro and in vivo results demonstrates the critical role that clinical exposure plays in evaluating the CYP induction risk of a drug candidate.     

Effect of a herbal extract containing curcumin and piperine on midazolam,flurbiprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers

Aims

Turmeric extract derived curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin) are currently being evaluated for the treatment of cancer and Alzheimer''s dementia. Previous in vitro studies indicate that curcuminoids and piperine (a black pepper derivative that enhances curcuminoid bioavailability) could inhibit human CYP3A, CYP2C9, UGT and SULT dependent drug metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine whether a commercially available curcuminoid/piperine extract alters the pharmacokinetic disposition of probe drugs for these enzymes in human volunteers.

Methods

A randomized placebo-controlled six way crossover study was conducted in eight healthy volunteers. A standardized curcuminoid/piperine preparation (4 g curcuminoids plus 24 mg piperine) or matched placebo was given orally four times over 2 days before oral administration of midazolam (CYP3A probe), flurbiprofen (CYP2C9 probe) or paracetamol (acetaminophen) (dual UGT and SULT probe). Plasma and urine concentrations of drugs, metabolites and herbals were measured by HPLC. Subject sedation and electroencephalograph effects were also measured following midazolam dosing.

Results

Compared with placebo, the curcuminoid/piperine treatment produced no meaningful changes in plasma C_max, AUC, clearance, elimination half-life or metabolite levels of midazolam, flurbiprofen or paracetamol (α = 0.05, paired t-tests). There was also no effect of curcuminoid/piperine treatment on the pharmacodynamics of midazolam. Although curcuminoid and piperine concentrations were readily measured in plasma following glucuronidase/sulfatase treatment, unconjugated concentrations were consistently below the assay thresholds (0.05–0.08 μm and 0.6 μm, respectively).

Conclusion

The results indicate that short term use of this piperine-enhanced curcuminoid preparation is unlikely to result in a clinically significant interaction involving CYP3A, CYP2C9 or the paracetamol conjugation enzymes.     

Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate Effects on the Pharmacokinetics of Cytochrome P450 Substrates in Healthy Adults in an Open-Label,Randomized, Crossover Study

Introduction

This open-label, randomized, two-period drug interaction study assessed lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) effects on cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme (CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP3A) activity.

Methods

Thirty healthy volunteers were administered the Cooperstown cocktail (CYP1A2 [caffeine 200 mg], CYP2D6 [dextromethorphan 30 mg], CYP2C19 [omeprazole 40 mg], and CYP3A [midazolam 0.025 mg/kg] substrates) or Cooperstown cocktail + oral LDX 70 mg. Blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were collected pre-dose and serially for 72 h post-dose. Treatment differences in the primary endpoints, maximum plasma concentration (C_max) and area under the plasma concentration versus time curve from 0 to infinity (AUC_0–∞), were assessed using geometric mean ratios with 90 % CIs.

Results

Geometric least squares (LS) means (without versus with LDX) for C_max (ng/mL) were 5370 versus 5246 for caffeine, 2.43 versus 2.87 for dextromethorphan, 35.23 versus 35.11 for midazolam, and 677.9 versus 466.9 for omeprazole; and for AUC_0–∞ (ng·h/mL) were 56,207 versus 56,688 for caffeine, 34.85 versus 37.27 for dextromethorphan, 92.07 versus 93.04 for midazolam, and 1428 versus 1499 for omeprazole. Geometric LS mean ratios were within the standard bioequivalence testing range, except for omeprazole and dextromethorphan C_max. Parent/metabolite C_max and AUC_0–∞ ratios were similar between treatments except for dextromethorphan/dextrorphan AUC_0–∞ ratio, which was lower with LDX. No serious or severe treatment-emergent adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

LDX did not alter CYP1A2, CYP2D6, or CYP3A activity. A small C_max reduction for omeprazole and its metabolite was observed, possibly reflecting an effect either on the activity of CYP2C19 or omeprazole absorption.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s40268-015-0090-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

CYP3A activity in severe liver cirrhosis correlates with Child–Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores

Aims

Impaired liver function often necessitates drug dose adjustment to avoid excessive drug accumulation and adverse events, but a marker for the extent of the required adjustment is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Child–Pugh (CP) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores correlate with drug clearance.

Methods

Midazolam was used as a CYP3A probe and its pharmacokinetics were analyzed in 24 patients with mild to severe liver cirrhosis (n = 4, 10 and 10 with CP class A, B and C, respectively) and six patients without liver disease.

Results

Both scores correlated well with unbound midazolam clearance (CL_u), unbound midazolam fraction and half-life (all P < 0.01), whereas the unbound steady-state volume of distribution was not significantly changed. In patients with severe liver cirrhosis unbound midazolam clearance was only 14% of controls (CP C: CL_u = 843 ± 346 l h⁻¹, MELD ≥ 15: CL_u = 805 ± 474 l h⁻¹, controls: CL_u = 5815 ± 2649 l h⁻¹, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The correlation with unbound midazolam clearance suggests that either score predicts the metabolic capacity of CYP3A, the most relevant drug metabolizing enzyme subfamily in humans.     

Impact of CYP2C19 polymorphism on the pharmacokinetics of nelfinavir in patients with pancreatic cancer

Aim

This study evaluated the influence of CYP2C19 polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of nelfinavir and its metabolite M8 in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Nelfinavir was administered orally to patients for over 10 days. The plasma concentrations of nelfinavir and M8 were measured by HPLC. The genotypes of CYP2C19*1, CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3 were determined by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

Results

Pharmacokinetic profiles of nelfinavir and M8 were characterized by wide interindividual variability. The mean C_max of nelfinavir in CYP2C19*1/*1 patients was 3.89 ± 0.40 (n = 3) and 5.12 ± 0.41 (n = 30) µg ml^–1, while that of CYP2C19*1/*2 patients was 3.60 (n = 1) and 6.14 ± 0.31 (n = 5) µg ml^–1 at the doses of 625 and 1250 mg nelfinavir twice daily, respectively. For the M8 metabolite, the mean C_max of CYP2C19*1/*1 patients was 1.06 ± 0.06 (n = 3) and 1.58 ± 0.27 (n = 30) µg ml^–1, while those of CYP2C19*1/*2 patients were 1.01 (n = 1) and 1.23 ± 0.15 (n = 5) µg ml^–1 at the doses of 625 and 1250 mg nelfinavir twice daily, respectively. The area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC(0,12 h)) values of nelfinavir for CYP2C19*1/*1 patients were 28.90 ± 1.27 and 38.90 ± 4.99 µg ml^–1·h and for CYP2C19*1/*2 patients, AUC(0,12 h) was 28.20 (n = 1) and 40.22 ± 3.17 (n = 5) µg ml^–1·h at the doses of 625 and 1250 mg nelfinavir twice daily, respectively. The C_max of nelfinavir was significantly higher (P <0.05) in CYP2C19*1/*2 patients but there was no statistical difference in AUC(0,12 h).

Conclusion

CYP2C19*1/*2 genotype modestly affected the pharmacokinetic profiles of nelfinavir and M8 in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.     

The effect on sotrastaurin pharmacokinetics of strong CYP3A inhibition by ketoconazole

AIMS

Sotrastaurin is an immunosuppressant that reduces T-lymphocyte activation via protein kinase C inhibition. The effect of CYP3A4 inhibition by ketoconazole on the pharmacokinetics of sotrastaurin, a CYP3A4 substrate, was investigated.

METHODS

This was a two-period, single-sequence crossover study in 18 healthy subjects. They received a single 50 mg oral dose of sotrastaurin in period 1 followed by a 14-day inter-treatment phase. In period 2 they received ketoconazole 200 mg twice daily for 6 days and a single 50 mg dose of sotrastaurin on the fourth day of ketoconazole administration.

RESULTS

Co-administration of single-dose sotrastaurin during steady-state ketoconazole increased sotrastaurin C_max by 2.5-fold (90% confidence interval 2.2, 2.9) from 285 ± 128 to 678 ± 189 ng ml⁻¹ and increased AUC by 4.6-fold (4.1, 5.2) from 1666 ± 808 to 7378 ± 3011 ng ml⁻¹ h. Sotrastaurin half-life was nearly doubled from 5.9 ± 1.7 to 10.6 ± 2.5 h. The AUC of the active metabolite N-desmethyl-sotrastaurin was increased by 6.8-fold. Sotrastaurin did not alter ketoconazole steady-state predose plasma concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

The strong CYP3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole increased sotrastaurin AUC by 4.6-fold. A compensatory reduction in the dose of sotrastaurin is warranted when strong CYP3A4 inhibitors are co-administered.     

Pharmacokinetic assessment of a five-probe cocktail for CYPs 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A

AIMS

To assess the pharmacokinetics (PK) of selective substrates of CYP1A2 (caffeine), CYP2C9 (S-warfarin), CYP2C19 (omeprazole), CYP2D6 (metoprolol) and CYP3A (midazolam) when administered orally and concurrently as a cocktail relative to the drugs administered alone.

METHODS

This was an open-label, single-dose, randomized, six-treatment six-period six-sequence William''s design study with a wash-out of 7 or 14 days. Thirty healthy male subjects received 100 mg caffeine, 100 mg metoprolol, 0.03 mg kg⁻¹ midazolam, 20 mg omeprazole and 10 mg warfarin individually and in combination (cocktail). Poor metabolizers of CYP2C9, 2C19 and 2D6 were excluded. Plasma samples were obtained up to 48 h for caffeine, metoprolol and omeprazole, 12 h for midazolam, 312 h for warfarin and the cocktail. Three different validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry methods were used. Noncompartmental PK parameters were calculated. Log-transformed C_max, AUC_last and AUC for each analyte were analysed with a linear mixed effects model with fixed term for treatment, sequence and period, and random term for subject within sequence. Point estimates (90% CI) for treatment ratios (individual/cocktail) were computed for each analyte C_max, AUC_last and AUC.

RESULTS

There was no PK interaction between the probe drugs when administered in combination as a cocktail, relative to the probes administered alone, as the 90% CI of the PK parameters was within the prespecified bioequivalence limits of 0.80, 1.25.

CONCLUSION

The lack of interaction between probes indicates that this cocktail could be used to evaluate the potential for multiple drug–drug interactions in vivo.     

The recovery time-course of CYP3A after induction by St John's wort administration

AIMS

To examine the recovery time course of CYP3A after enzyme induction by St John''s wort administration.

METHODS

The subjects were 12 healthy men, aged 20–33 years. On the first day, they received an oral dose of midazolam 5 mg without St John''s wort (day −14). From the next day, they took St John''s wort for 14 days. On the last day of St John''s wort treatment (day 0) and 3 and 7 days after completion of St John''s wort treatment (days 3 and 7), they received the same dose of midazolam. On each day, blood samples were obtained until 8 h after midazolam administration. Plasma concentrations of midazolam were measured by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic parameters of midazolam were determined using noncompartmental analysis.

RESULTS

Apparent oral clearance of midazolam was significantly increased after St John''s wort administration from 65.3 ± 8.4 l h⁻¹ (day −14) to 86.8 ± 17.3 l h⁻¹ (day 0). It returned to the control level 7 days after the completion of St John''s wort (day 7, 59.7 ± 3.8 l h⁻¹). No significant difference in the elimination half-life between the four periods of the study was observed. The changes in apparent oral clearance after St John''s wort discontinuation indicated that CYP3A activity recovers from enzyme induction with an estimated half-life of 46.2 h.

CONCLUSIONS

CYP3A activity induced by St John''s wort administration progressively returns to the basal level after approximately 1 week. This finding may provide useful information to avoid clinically significant interactions of St John''s wort with CYP3A substrates.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• St John''s wort causes the induction of CYP3A. Little is known about how long the effect remains after cessation of St John''s wort.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• The in vivo CYP3A activity returns progressively to the basal level approximately 1 week after cessation of St John''s wort administration

     

Systemic exposure of topical erythromycin in comparison to oral administration and the effect on cytochrome P450 3A4 activity

Aims

Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic, which is frequently used as a topical formulation for the treatment of acne. It is also known as an inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzyme 3A4. In this study, the systemic availability of topical erythromycin, hence the influence on the activity of CYP3A, is evaluated in comparison to orally administered erythromycin.

Methods

Sixteen healthy volunteers received consecutively topical (two applications of 800 mg) and oral erythromycin (two dose groups, 250 and 1000 mg, with n = 8) to assess erythromycin pharmacokinetics. A microdose of midazolam (3 μg orally) was used to determine the effect on CYP3A activity.

Results

After topical administration, erythromycin was detected in the plasma of every participant without causing a statistically significant alteration of CYP3A activity. After oral administration, the dose-normalized erythromycin exposure (AUC_∞) was 1335 h ng ml⁻¹ after 250 mg and 3-fold higher after the 1000 mg dose (4051 h ng ml⁻¹; P < 0.01), suggesting nonlinear pharmacokinetics of erythromycin. Both oral doses inhibited CYP3A activity; midazolam clearance was decreased to 61% (250 mg) and 21% (1000 mg). The relationship between erythromycin exposure and CYP3A activity (Hill equation) revealed a 50% reduction of CYP3A activity by an erythromycin AUC_∞ of 2106 h ng ml⁻¹.

Conclusions

Topical erythromycin did not cause clinically relevant CYP3A alterations, although low systemic availability of erythromycin was observed. This supports the assumption that treatment with topical erythromycin is not critical in terms of CYP3A inhibition. Furthermore, substantial nonlinearity of erythromycin pharmacokinetics after two different oral doses was observed, possibly due to autoinhibition.     

Contribution of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 to the formation of the active nortilidine from the prodrug tilidine

AIMS

To investigate in vivo the effect of the CYP2C19 genotype on the pharmacokinetics of tilidine and the contribution of CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 to the formation of nortilidine using potent CYP3A4 inhibition by ritonavir.

METHODS

Fourteen healthy volunteers (seven CYP2C19 poor and seven ultrarapid metabolizers) received ritonavir orally (300 mg twice daily) for 3 days or placebo, together with a single oral dose of tilidine and naloxone (100 mg and 4 mg, respectively). Blood samples and urine were collected for 72 h. Noncompartmental analysis was performed to determine pharmacokinetic parameters of tilidine, nortilidine, bisnortilidine and ritonavir.

RESULTS

Tilidine exposure increased sevenfold and terminal elimination half-life fivefold during ritonavir treatment, but no significant differences were observed between the CYP2C19 genotypes. During ritonavir treatment, nortilidine area under the concentration–time curve was on average doubled, with no differences between CYP2C19 poor metabolizers [2242 h ng ml⁻¹ (95% confidence interval 1811–2674) vs. 996 h ng ml⁻¹ (95% confidence interval 872–1119)] and ultrarapid metabolizers [2074 h ng ml⁻¹ (95% confidence interval 1353–2795) vs. 1059 h ng ml⁻¹ (95% confidence interval 789–1330)]. The plasma concentration–time curve of the secondary metabolite, bisnortilidine, showed a threefold increase of time to reach maximal observed plasma concentration; however, area under the concentration–time curve was not altered by ritonavir.

CONCLUSIONS

The sequential metabolism of tilidine is inhibited by the potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, ritonavir, independent of the CYP2C19 genotype, with a twofold increase in the exposure of the active nortilidine.     

Effect of blueberry juice on clearance of buspirone and flurbiprofen in human volunteers

Aim

The present study evaluated the possibility of drug interactions involving blueberry juice (BBJ) and substrate drugs whose clearance is dependent on cytochromes P4503A (CYP3A) and P4502C9 (CYP2C9).

Methods

A 50:50 mixture of lowbush and highbush BBJ was evaluated in vitro as an inhibitor of CYP3A activity (hydroxylation of triazolam and dealkylation of buspirone) and of CYP2C9 activity (flurbiprofen hydroxylation) using human liver microsomes. In clinical studies, clearance of oral buspirone and oral flurbiprofen was studied in healthy volunteers with and without co-treatment with BBJ.

Results

BBJ inhibited CYP3A and CYP2C9 activity in vitro, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of less than 2%, but without evidence of mechanism-based (irreversible) inhibition. Grapefruit juice (GFJ) also inhibited CYP3A activity, but inhibitory potency was increased by pre-incubation, consistent with mechanism-based inhibition. In clinical studies, GFJ significantly increased area under the plasma concentration−time curve (AUC) for the CYP3A substrate buspirone. The geometric mean ratio (GMR = AUC with GFJ divided by AUC with water) was 2.12. In contrast, the effect of BBJ (GMR = 1.39) was not significant. In the study of flurbiprofen (CYP2C9 substrate), the positive control inhibitor fluconazole significantly increased flurbiprofen AUC (GMR = 1.71), but BBJ had no significant effect (GMR = 1.03).

Conclusion

The increased buspirone AUC associated with BBJ is quantitatively small and could have occurred by chance. BBJ has no effect on flurbiprofen AUC. The studies provide no evidence for concern about clinically important pharmacokinetic drug interactions of BBJ with substrate drugs metabolized by CYP3A or CYP2C9.     

Time-dependent inhibition (TDI) of CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 by noscapine potentially explains clinical noscapine–warfarin interaction

AIMS

To investigate the inhibition potential and kinetic information of noscapine to seven CYP isoforms and extrapolate in vivo noscapine-warfarin interaction magnitude from in vitro data.

METHODS

The activities of seven CYP isoforms (CYP3A4, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2E1, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2C8) in human liver microsomes were investigated following co- or preincubation with noscapine. A two-step incubation method was used to examine in vitro time-dependent inhibition (TDI) of noscapine. Reversible and TDI prediction equations were employed to extrapolate in vivo noscapine–warfarin interaction magnitude from in vitro data.

RESULTS

Among seven CYP isoforms tested, the activities of CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 were strongly inhibited with an IC₅₀ of 10.8 ± 2.5 µm and 13.3 ± 1.2 µm. Kinetic analysis showed that inhibition of CYP2C9 by noscapine was best fit to a noncompetitive type with K_i value of 8.8 µm, while inhibition of CYP3A4 by noscapine was best fit to a competitive manner with K_i value of 5.2 µm. Noscapine also exhibited TDI to CYP3A4 and CYP2C9. The inactivation parameters (K_I and k_inact) were calculated to be 9.3 µm and 0.06 min⁻¹ for CYP3A4 and 8.9 µm and 0.014 min⁻¹ for CYP2C9, respectively. The AUC of (S)-warfarin and (R)-warfarin was predicted to increase 1.5% and 1.1% using C_max or 0.5% and 0.4% using unbound C_max with reversible inhibition prediction equation, while the AUC of (S)-warfarin and (R)-warfarin was estimated to increase by 110.9% and 48.9% using C_max or 41.8% and 32.7% using unbound C_max with TDI prediction equation.

CONCLUSIONS

TDI of CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 by noscapine potentially explains clinical noscapine–warfarin interaction.     

Pharmacokinetics of Coadministration of Guanfacine Extended Release and Methylphenidate Extended Release

Background

α₂-Adrenoceptor agonists are used adjunctively to psychostimulants in treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when psychostimulants alone do not sufficiently reduce symptoms. However, data on the pharmacokinetic profiles and safety of combination treatments in ADHD are needed.

Objective

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profiles of guanfacine extended release (GXR) and methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) extended release, alone and in combination.

Study Design

This was an open-label, randomized, three-period crossover, drug–drug interaction study.

Setting

The study was conducted at a single clinical research center.

Participants

Thirty-eight healthy adults were randomized in this study.

Interventions

Subjects were administered single oral doses of GXR (Intuniv^®; Shire Development LLC, Wayne, PA, USA) 4 mg, MPH (Concerta^®; McNeil Pediatrics, Titusville, NJ, USA) 36 mg, or GXR and MPH combined.

Main Outcome Measures

Guanfacine, dexmethylphenidate (d-MPH), and l-methylphenidate (l-MPH) levels were measured with blood samples collected predose and up to 72 h postdose. Safety evaluations included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), vital signs, and electrocardiograms (ECGs).

Results

Thirty-five subjects completed the study. Analyses of the 90 % confidence intervals (CIs) for the geometric mean ratios of the maximum plasma concentration (C_max) and area under the concentration–time curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC_∞) values for guanfacine and d-MPH following administration of GXR or MPH alone or combined met strict bioequivalence criteria (90 % CIs within the interval of 0.80–1.25). Overall, combining GXR and MPH did not alter the pharmacokinetic parameters of either medication. Sixteen subjects (42.1 %) had at least one TEAE. The most commonly reported TEAEs included headache and dizziness following GXR, MPH, and GXR and MPH combined. Two subjects had clinically significant abnormalities in ECG results following coadministration: both events were mild and resolved the same day.

Conclusions

In this short-term, open-label study of healthy adults, coadministration of GXR and MPH did not result in significant pharmacokinetic drug–drug interactions. No unique TEAEs were observed with coadministration of GXR and MPH compared with either treatment alone.     

Effect of single and repeat doses of casopitant on the pharmacokinetics of CYP450 3A4 substrates midazolam and nifedipine

AIM

To evaluate the impact of single and repeated doses casopitant on the pharmacokinetics of single dose midazolam and nifedipine (CYP3A substrates) in healthy subjects. The effect on debrisoquine metabolism (CYP2D6 substrate) was also assessed.

METHODS

Three open-label studies were conducted in healthy subjects. In the first study subjects received single dose 50 or 100 mg oral casopitant, single dose 5 mg oral midazolam and single dose 10 mg oral debrisoquine. In the other two studies subjects received repeated doses of 10 mg (study 2), 30, or 120 mg oral casopitant and single doses of 5 mg oral midazolam (study 2) and single doses of 10 mg oral nifedipine (study 3). Plasma concentration–time data were analyzed using standard non-compartmental methods. The effect of casopitant on all probes was assessed using geometric means ratios and corresponding 90% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

The AUC(0,∞) of midazolam was increased 1.44-fold (90% CI 1.35, 1.54) and 1.52-fold (90% CI 1.41, 1.65) after co-administration with a single dose of 50 or 100 mg casopitant, respectively. Debrisoquine metabolism was unchanged. After 3 days of casopitant administration, midazolam AUC(0,∞) was increased 1.45- (90% CI 1.32, 1.59), 2.02- (90% CI 1.75, 2.32), and 2.67-fold (90% CI 2.18, 3.27) after co-administration with 10, 30 or 120 mg casopitant, respectively. After 14 days of casopitant administration, midazolam AUC(0,∞) was increased 1.51- (90% CI 1.40, 1.63) to 3.49-fold (90% CI 2.98, 4.08). After 3 days of casopitant administration, nifedipine AUC(0,∞) was increased 1.56- (90% CI 1.37, 1.78) and 1.77-fold (90% CI 1.54, 2.04) after co-administration with 30 or 120 mg casopitant, respectively. Similar increases in nifedipine exposure were observed after 14 days of casopitant administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Casopitant is a dose- and duration-dependent weak to moderate inhibitor of CYP3A.     

Lack of effect of tofacitinib (CP-690,550) on the pharmacokinetics of the CYP3A4 substrate midazolam in healthy volunteers: confirmation of in vitro data

AIMS

To investigate inhibitive and inductive effects of tofacitinib (CP-690,550), a Janus kinase inhibitor, on CYP3A4 function via in vitro and in vivo studies.

METHODS

In vitro experiments were conducted to assess the inhibition and induction potential of tofacitinib for major drug metabolizing enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4). A phase 1, randomized, open-label, two-way crossover study ({"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00902460","term_id":"NCT00902460"}}NCT00902460) was conducted to confirm the lack of inhibitive/inductive effect on a sensitive CYP3A4 substrate, midazolam, in healthy subjects. Midazolam pharmacokinetics were assessed over 24 h following single dose 2 mg administration prior to administering tofacitinib and after twice daily dosing of tofacitinib 30 mg for 6 days. The primary endpoint was midazolam area under the concentration–time profile, from time 0 to infinity (AUC(0,∞)).

RESULTS

In vitro studies demonstrated low potential for CYP inhibition (IC₅₀ estimates tofacitinib >30 µm), CYP3A4 mRNA induction (observed at tofacitinib concentrations ≥25 µm) and no effect on enzymatic activity of CYP substrates. In the human study, AUC(0,∞) adjusted geometric mean ratio for midazolam plus tofacitinib to midazolam alone was 103.97% [90% confidence interval (CI) 95.57, 113.12], wholly within the pre-specified acceptance region (80, 125). The 90% CI for the ratio of adjusted geometric means of maximum plasma concentration (C_max) (95.98, 108.87) was also wholly within this acceptance region.

CONCLUSIONS

These data confirm a lack of an inhibitive or inductive effect of tofacitinib on CYP3A activity in humans and, in conjunction with in vitro data, support the conclusion that tofacitinib is unlikely to influence the CYP enzyme system as a whole.