Pharmacokinetics of rifampicin, isoniazid & pyrazinamide during daily & intermittent dosing: A preliminary study

Background & objectives: The National Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programme has transitioned from thrice-weekly to daily drug treatment regimens in India. This preliminary study was conceived to compare the pharmacokinetics of rifampicin (RMP), isoniazid (INH) and pyrazinamide (PZA) in TB patients being treated with daily and thrice weekly anti-TB treatment (ATT). Methods: This prospective observational study was undertaken in 49 newly diagnosed adult TB patients receiving either daily ATT (n=22) or thrice-weekly ATT (n=27). Plasma RMP, INH and PZA were estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: The peak concentration (Cmax) of RMP was significantly higher (RMP: 8.5 ?g/ml vs. 5.5 ?g/ml; P=0.003) and Cmax of INH was significantly lower (INH: 4.8 ?g/ml vs. 10.9 ?g/ml; P<0.001) in case of daily dosing compared to thrice-weekly ATT. Cmax of drugs and doses was significantly correlated. A higher proportion of patients had subtherapeutic RMP Cmax (8.0 ?g/ml) during thrice-weekly compared to daily ATT (78% vs. 36%; P=0.004). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that Cmax of RMP was significantly influenced by the dosing rhythm, pulmonary TB and Cmax of INH and PZA by the mg/kg doses. Interpretation & conclusions: RMP concentrations were higher and INH concentrations were lower during daily ATT, suggesting that INH doses may need to be increased in case of a daily regimen. Larger studies are, however, required using higher INH doses when monitoring for adverse drug reactions and treatment outcomes.

Lack of association between plasma levels of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors & virological outcomes during rifampicin co-administration in HIV-infected TB patients.

Background & objectives: Among patients with HIV-associated tuberculosis (TB), reduced plasma non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) concentrations during rifampicin (RMP) co-administration could lead to HIV treatment failure. This study was undertaken to examine the association between plasma nevirapine (NVP) and efavirenz (EFV) concentrations and virological outcomes in patients infected with HIV-1 and TB. Methods: This was a nested study undertaken in a clinical trial of patients with HIV-1 and TB, randomized to two different once-daily antiretroviral treatment (ART) regimens along with anti-TB treatment (ATT). Trough concentrations of plasma NVP and EFV were estimated at months 1 (during ATT and ART) and 6 months (ART only) by HPLC. Plasma HIV-1 RNA level >400 copies/ml or death within 6 months of ART were considered as unfavourable outcomes. Genotyping of CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism was performed. Results: Twenty nine per cent of patients in NVP arm had an unfavourable outcome at 6 months compared to 9 per cent in EFV arm (P<0.08). The mean NVP and EFV levels estimated at 1 and 6 months did not significantly differ between favourable and unfavourable responders. Logistic regression analysis showed CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism significantly associated with virologic outcome in patients receiving EFV–based regimen. Interpretation & conclusions: Trough plasma concentrations of NVP and EFV did not show any association with response to ART in patients on ATT and once-daily ART. CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism was associated with virologic outcome among patients on EFV.

Effect of rifampicin & isoniazid on the steady state pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin.

Background & objectives: Moxifloxacin (MFX) is reported to have promising antimycobacterial activity, and has a potential to shorten tuberculosis (TB) treatment. We undertook this study to examine the influence of rifampicin (RMP) and isoniazid (INH) on the steady state pharmacokinetics of MFX individually in healthy individuals. Methods: A baseline pharmacokinetic study of MFX (400 mg once daily) was conducted in 36 healthy adults and repeated after one week of daily MFX with either RMP (450/600 mg) (n = 18) or INH (300 mg) (n = 18). Plasma MFX concentrations were determined by a validated HPLC method. Results: Plasma peak concentration and exposure of MFX was significantly lower and plasma clearance significantly higher when combined with RMP (P<0.001). The Cmax to MIC and AUC0-12 to MIC ratios of MFX were significantly lower during concomitant RMP (P<0.001). INH had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of MFX. Interpretation & conclusions: Concomitant RMP administration caused a significant decrease in Cmax and AUC0-12 of MFX, the mean decreases being 26 and 29 per cent, respectively. It is uncertain whether this decrease would affect the treatment efficacy of MFX. Prospective studies in TB patients are needed to correlate MFX pharmacokinetics with treatment outcomes.

Serum Nevirapine and Efavirenz Concentrations and Effect of Concomitant Rifampicin in HIV Infected Children on Antiretroviral Therapy.

Objective: To determine factors affecting serum levels of Efavirenz and Nevirapine and analyze the effect of Rifampicin on Nevirapine drug levels. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 HIV infected children on Antiretroviral therapy (ART) with Nevirapine or Efavirenz. Patients on simultaneous Rifampicin and Nevirapine were given higher doses of Nevirapine with regular monitoring of liver function tests. Trough levels (before morning dose of Nevirapine) and levels after 2 hours of administration of Nevirapine and levels of Efavirenz were assessed using HPLC and were checked to see if they fall within the therapeutic range. Results: Thirty patients (14 males) were enrolled in the study with 20 on Nevirapine and 10 (33.3%) on Efavirenz. Seven (23.3%) patients were simultaneously taking rifampicin. The mean Nevirapine dose given to the patients was 350.9±59.8mg/m2/day (on simultaneous rifampicin) and 309.2±54.6mg/m2/day (not on concurrent rifampicin). Thirteen (81.3%) of the 16 patients with trough Nevirapine had values in the normal range, 1 (6.3%) had low Nevirapine trough levels and 2 (12.5%) had high Nevirapine trough levels. Of the post 2 hours Nevirapine levels, 1 (5%) had low levels and 3 (15%) had high Nevirapine blood levels. Factors like age (P=0.4, P=0.4087), nourishment (P=0.2679, P=0.4132), ART combination (P=0.4199, P=0.4132), form of the drug (tablet/syrup) (P=0.1964, P=0.4696) or if it was being given as single or in a fixed dose combination (P=0.4179, P=0.4696) and even concurrent rifampicin administration (P=0.284, P=0.472) did not significantly affect the trough and post 2 hours Nevirapine values, respectively. All the five patients being given concurrent rifampicin had normal trough and post 2 hours levels of Nevirapine. The Efavirenz drug levels were 1.9±1.1 g/mL. Of the 10 patients on Efavirenz, 2 (20%) had high and 1 (10%) had low blood levels. Conclusion: Concurrent Rifampicin administration does not alter blood levels of Nevirapine; provided the dose of Nevirapine is increased by 20-30%. Formulation of drugs does not alter the blood levels provided drug administered is in the recommended dose.

Plasma Efavirenz in HIV-Infected Children Treated with Generic Antiretroviral Drugs in India.

We measured plasma concentration of efavirenz (EFV) in 16 HIV-infected Indian children receiving antiretroviral treatment at Government ART centres. The mean 12-hour concentration was 2.39 μg/mL (range: 0.72- 7.82 μg/mL). The majority of children treated with generic EFV at currently recommended doses had blood levels within the therapeutic range.

Comparison of HPLC & spectrophotometric methods for estimation of antiretroviral drug content in pharmaceutical products.

Background & objectives: Simple and reliable methods to estimate drugs in pharmaceutical products are needed. In most cases, antiretroviral drug estimations are performed using a HPLC method, requiring expensive equipment and trained technicians. A relatively simple and accurate method to estimate antiretroviral drugs in pharmaceutical preparations is by spectrophotometric method, which is cheap and simple to use as compared to HPLC. We undertook this study to standardise methods for estimation of nevirapine (NVP), lamivudine (3TC) and stavudine (d4T) in single tablets/capsules by HPLC and spectrophotometry and to compare the content of these drugs determined by both these methods. Methods: Twenty tablets/capsules of NVP, 3TC and d4T each were analysed for their drug content by HPLC and spectrophotometric methods. Suitably diluted drug solutions were run on HPLC fitted with a C18 column using UV detection at ambient temperature. The absorbance of the diluted drug solutions were read in a spectrophotometer at 300, 285 and 270 nm for NVP, 3TC and d4T respectively. Pure powders of the drugs were used to prepare calibration standards of known drug concentrations, which was set up with each assay. Results: The inter-day variation (%) of standards for NVP, 3TC and d4T ranged from 2.5 to 6.7, 2.1 to 7.7 and 6.2 to 7.7, respectively by HPLC. The corresponding values by spectrophotometric method were 2.7 to 4.7, 4.2 to 7.2 and 3.8 to 6.0. The per cent variation between the HPLC and spectrophotometric methods ranged from 0.45 to 4.49 per cent, 0 to 4.98 per cent and 0.35 to 8.73 per cent for NVP, 3TC and d4T, respectively. Conclusions: The contents of NVP, 3TC and d4T in the tablets estimated by HPLC and spectrophotometric methods were similar, and the variation in the amount of these drugs estimated by HPLC and spectrophotometric methods was below 10 per cent. This suggests that the spectrophotometric method is as accurate as the HPLC method for estimation of NVP, 3TC and d4T in tablet/capsule. Hence laboratories that do not have HPLC equipment can also undertake these drug estimations using spectrophotometer.

Pharmacokinetics of lamivudine & stavudine in generic fixed-dose combinations in HIV-1 infected adults in India.

Background & objectives: Antiretroviral drug concentrations are important determinants of clinical response to a drug accounting for both toxicity and efficacy. Several factors such as age, ethnicity, body weight and patients’ immune status may influence antiretroviral drug concentrations. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of immunological status, sex and body mass index on the steady state pharmacokinetics of lamivudine (3TC) and stavudine (d4T) in HIV-infected adults, who were undergoing treatment with generic fixed dose combinations (FDC) of these drugs in India. Methods: Twenty seven HIV-1 infected patients receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) for at least two weeks at the Government ART clinic at Tambaram, Chennai, took part in the study. Serial blood samples were collected predosing and at different time points after drug administration. Plasma 3TC and d4T levels were estimated by HPLC. Results: The patients’ immune status, sex or body mass index had no impact on the pharmacokinetics of 3TC. In the case of d4T, peak concentration was significantly lower in patients with CD4 cell counts < 200 cells/μl than those with ≥ 200 cells/ μl (P < 0.05), but were within the therapeutic range. The mean CD4 cell counts increased from 101 cells/μl at initiation of ART to 366 cells/μl at 12 months of treatment. Interpretation & conclusions: Blood levels of 3TC and d4T drugs that are part of generic FDCs commonly used by HIV-infected individuals in India were within the therapeutic range and not influenced by nutritional or immune status. There was a significant improvement in CD4 cell counts over 12 months of treatment. Indian generic FDCs manufactured and used widely in the developing world provide effective concentrations of antiretroviral drugs.

Urine levels of rifampicin & isoniazid in asymptomatic HIV-positive individuals.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: AIDS and its associated gastrointestinal complications may impair the absorption of anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs. Impaired absorption of anti-TB drugs could lead to low drug exposure, which might contribute to acquired drug resistance and reduced effectiveness of anti-TB treatment. The aim of this study was to obtain information on the status of absorption of rifampicin (RMP) and isoniazid (INH) in asymptomatic HIV- positive individuals, who are less immunocompromised. The D-xylose absorption test was also carried out to assess the absorptive capacity of intestive. METHODS: The absorption of RMP, INH and D-xylose was studied in 15 asymptomatic HIV-positive individuals with CD4 cell counts>350 cells/mm3 and 16 healthy volunteers, after oral administration of single doses of RMP (450 mg), INH (300 mg) and D-xylose (5 g). Urine was collected up to 8 h after drug administration. Percentage dose of the drugs and their metabolites and D-xylose excreted in urine were calculated. RESULTS: A significant reduction in the urinary excretion of INH and D-xylose in HIV-positive persons compared to healthy volunteers was observed. The per cent dose of RMP and its metabolite, desacetyl RMP was also lower in HIV-positive persons compared to healthy volunteers, but this difference was not statistically significant. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Decreased urinary excretion of D-xylose and INH are suggestive of intestinal malabsorption in HIV-positive individuals. HIV infection could cause malabsorption of anti-TB drugs even at an early stage of the disease. The clinical implications of these findings need to be confirmed in larger studies.

Urine nevirapine as a predictor of antiretroviral adherence.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Incomplete adherence is a major contributor to failure of antiretroviral therapy. Although the available methods to monitor adherence to therapy have proved to be predictive of outcomes, the results are variable. We assessed the feasibility of detecting nevirapine (NVP) in spot urine samples to monitor patient adherence to antiretroviral treatment and to study the urinary excretion of NVP in healthy volunteers after oral administration of a single dose of NVP (200 mg). METHODS: Spot urine samples were collected from 50 HIV-infected patients (36 on treatment regimen containing NVP and 14 on drugs other than NVP) and tested for NVP by HPLC in a blinded manner. Sixteen healthy volunteers (9 males and 7 females) were administered a single oral dose of 200 mg NVP and spot urine samples were collected on day '0' before drug administration, and thereafter every 24 h up to 9 days and tested for NVP. RESULTS: All the urine samples collected from patients undergoing treatment with NVP-containing regimens at different time points after drug administration tested positive for NVP. Thirteen out of 14 samples from patients not on NVP yielded a negative result. The drug was detected in the urine of healthy volunteers up to 9 days. The urinary excretion of NVP was prolonged in females than in males. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: In view of its long half-life, NVP gets excreted in urine for a long period of time. Hence, testing spot urine samples for NVP may not be a useful measure to monitor patient adherence to treatment.

Bioavailability of rifampicin following concomitant administration of ethambutol or isoniazid or pyrazinamide or a combination of the three drugs.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Poor bioavailability of rifampicin (R) in combination with other anti-tuberculosis drugs such as isoniazid (H), pyrazinamide (Z), and ethambutol (E) is a subject of much concern for the last few decades. This could be due to an interaction between R and other drugs. An investigation was therefore undertaken to examine the bioavailability of R in the presence of H, Z and E or a combination of the three drugs. METHODS: The study included eight healthy volunteers, each being investigated on four occasions at weekly intervals once with R alone and with three of the four combinations on the three remaining occasions. A partially balanced incomplete block design was employed and the allocation of R or the drug combinations was random. Plasma concentrations of R at intervals up to 12 h were determined by microbiological assay using Staphylococcus aureus as the test organism. The proportion (%) dose of R as R plus desacetyl R (DR) in urine excreted over the periods 0-8 and 8-12 h was also determined. Bioavailability was expressed as an index (BI) of area under time concentration curve (AUC) calculated from the plasma concentrations or proportion of dose of R excreted as R plus DR in urine with the combinations to that with R alone. RESULTS: The bioavailability indices based on AUC were 0.96 with RE, 0.76 with RH, 1.08 with RZ and 0.65 with REHZ. The indices based on urine estimations (0-8 h) were similar, the values being 0.94, 0.84, 0.94 and 0.75, respectively. A second investigation revealed that the decrease of bioavailability of R with H was not due to the excipients present in H tablets. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Isoniazid alone or in combination with E and Z reduces the bioavailability of R. Urinary excretion data offer a simple and non invasive method for the assessment of bioavailability of R.

Effect of rifampicin & isoniazid on cytochrome P-450 in mycobacteria.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Rifampicin and isoniazid are the most important first line drugs used in the treatment of tuberculosis. These drugs are also used in combination with other medications to treat co-infections. It, therefore, becomes important to study the effect of these drugs on the drug metabolizing system, namely, cytochrome P-450, not only in the host but also in the bacteria. We report the effect of rifampicin and isoniazid on the cytochrome P-450 activity in Mycobacterium smegmatis and M. tuberculosis H37Rv. METHODS: Subinhibitory concentrations of rifampicin and isoniazid were added to the organisms after they had attained the growth phase and cytochrome P-450 activity was estimated in the membranous fractions of the bacteria at different time points. RESULTS: Rifampicin was able to significantly enhance cytochrome P-450 in both M. smegmatis and M. tuberculosis H37Rv. Isoniazid was found to inhibit cytochrome P-450 in M. tuberculosis H37Rv, while there seemed to be no effect in M. smegmatis. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: We report here the effect of rifampicin and isoniazid on mycobacterial cytochrome P-450. These findings are similar to those found in eukaryotic organisms. The role of mycobacterial cytochrome P-450 in the metabolism of drugs within the bacteria needs to be elucidated.