A population pharmacokinetic model for posaconazole intravenous solution and oral powder for suspension formulations in pediatric patients with neutropenia.

The objective of this study was to support posaconazole dose regimens in pediatric patients aged ≥2 years, using a population pharmacokinetic (PK) approach with data from a phase 1b study (NCT02452034). A one-compartment model with first-order absorption was fit to pharmacokinetic data from 144 participants aged 2 to 17 years, who were administered posaconazole as intravenous (IV) and powder for oral suspension (PFS) formulations, or IV only, at dosing regimens of 3.5, 4.5, and 6 mg/kg. The influence of demographic and clinical factors on pharmacokinetic parameters was evaluated using a stepwise forward inclusion/backward exclusion procedure. The final model simulated posaconazole exposure in patients aged 2 to <7 and 7 to 17 years at dosing regimens of 4.5, 6, and 7.5 mg/kg. Plasma concentration data following IV and PFS administration were well-described by a one-compartment model with first-order absorption and estimated bioavailability, where clearance and volume were subject to allometric scaling by body weight. The 6-mg/kg dosing regimen achieved the pharmacokinetic target (90% of the pediatric population having an average steady-state plasma concentration of ≥500 and <2,000 ng/mL) for both age groups, regardless of whether patients received IV and PFS or IV only. In a virtual adolescent population (body weight >40 kg), the 300 mg/day posaconazole tablet was also predicted to achieve the pharmacokinetic target and remain within a safe range of exposure. These data informed a weight-based nomogram for PFS dosing to maximize the number of pediatric patients achieving the pharmacokinetic target across weight bands, while also maintaining a favorable benefit/risk profile.

Effects of Bedtime Dosing With Suvorexant and Zolpidem on Balance and Psychomotor Performance in Healthy Elderly Participants During the Night and in the Morning.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: This study was designed as an early assessment of the safety of the orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant, but also included exploratory assessments of balance and psychomotor performance that are the focus of this report. METHODS/PROCEDURES: This was a double-blind, randomized, 3-period, crossover, phase 1 study. Balance and psychomotor performance were evaluated during the night in 12 healthy elderly participants after bedtime administration of suvorexant 30 mg (a supratherapeutic dose), the GABAergic agonist zolpidem 5 mg (the recommended dose in the elderly), or placebo. Balance (body sway measured by platform stability) and psychomotor performance (measured by choice reaction time) were assessed predose and at 1.5, 4, and 8 hours postdose in each period. Memory (measured by word recall) was assessed predose and at 4 hours postdose. FINDINGS/RESULTS: At 1.5 hours after nighttime administration of each drug (the approximate time of their anticipated maximal plasma concentrations), both zolpidem and suvorexant increased body sway versus placebo, with a greater increase for zolpidem than suvorexant. Suvorexant increased choice reaction time compared with placebo or zolpidem at 1.5 hours. There were no treatment differences on body sway or choice reaction time at 4 or 8 hours, or on word recall at 4 hours. IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: These exploratory data suggest that a 30-mg dose of suvorexant (supratherapeutic) and a 5-mg dose of zolpidem (recommended dose in the elderly) impaired balance at 1.5 hours in healthy elderly people, with potentially less impairment for suvorexant relative to zolpidem, but no treatment differences on body sway or psychomotor performance at 4 and 8 hours. Because of their exploratory nature, these findings and their clinical relevance, if any, require confirmation in a prospective study.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of posaconazole intravenous solution and powder for oral suspension in children with neutropenia: an open-label, sequential dose-escalation trial.

Posaconazole is approved for use in adults as an intravenous (IV) solution and two different oral formulations (a suspension and an improved bioavailability tablet). Data on the pharmacokinetics (PK), dosing and safety of posaconazole in children are limited. A novel powder for oral suspension (PFS) offers the bioavailability of the tablet formulated for weight-based dosing in children. A non-randomised, open-label, sequential dose-escalation, phase 1b trial evaluated the PK and safety of posaconazole IV and PFS in children aged 2 to 17 years with documented or expected neutropenia (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02452034; MSD protocol number, MK-5592-P097). Participants received posaconazole IV 3.5, 4.5 or 6.0 mg/kg/d for ≥10 days, with an option to switch to posaconazole PFS at the identical dose for ≤18 days. The target exposure was a mean within-dose cohort average steady-state plasma concentration (Cavg) of ~1200 ng/mL, with ~90% of participants achieving Cavg between 500 and 2500 ng/mL. Doses of 4.5 and 6.0 mg/kg/d achieved the PK target of ~90% of participants with a Cavg ≥500 ng/mL. PFS resulted in lower posaconazole exposures than IV across age groups at all doses. Posaconazole IV and PFS were well tolerated and had safety profiles similar to those reported for adults. Posaconazole PK following IV and PFS administration was well characterised by the data and enable selection of appropriate paediatric doses. Both formulations were well tolerated without dose-, exposure- or age-related differences in the safety profiles.

Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Posaconazole Tablet Formulation in Chinese Participants at High Risk for Invasive Fungal Infection.

INTRODUCTION: This study characterized the multidose pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of posaconazole tablets used as prophylactic antifungal therapy in Chinese patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) at risk for invasive fungal infection (IFI). METHODS: Participants in this open-label, single-arm, phase 1b study received posaconazole 300 mg twice daily on day 1 and then once daily for up to 28 days. In the intensive PK sampling subgroup, posaconazole was administered under fasting conditions on days 1 and 8, and blood samples were regularly collected over 24 h. Trough PK sampling was conducted in all participants on days 1, 2, 3, 8, 14, 21, and 28 without regard for food intake. Population PK characteristics were predicted using PK modeling. Primary endpoints were steady-state average concentration (Cavg) and percentage of participants with steady-state Cavg (predicted and observed) > 500 ng/ml. Treatment safety and efficacy were secondary endpoints. RESULTS: Sixty-five adult Chinese participants were enrolled. On day 8, steady-state arithmetic mean Cavg was 1610 ng/ml (% coefficient of variation [%CV] 42.8%) in the intensive PK subgroup (n = 20). All participants achieved a steady-state Cavg > 500 ng/ml. Predicted Cavg (pCavg) was 1770 ng/ml (%CV 33.7%) in the total population (n = 64); 92.2% of participants had pCavg values ≥ 500 ng/ml (n = 59). The posaconazole tablet safety profile was consistent with that of the oral formulation, and the IFI rate was 3%. CONCLUSION: In Chinese AML patients, the posaconazole 300-mg tablet provided PK data comparable with those of previous studies and was generally well tolerated and efficacious. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02387983.

Fine-Needle Aspiration for the Evaluation of Hepatic Pharmacokinetics of Vaniprevir: A Randomized Trial in Patients With Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for serial hepatic sampling may be an efficient and less invasive alternative to core needle biopsy (CNB), the current standard for liver tissue sampling. In this randomized, open-label trial in 31 participants with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection (NCT01678131/Merck protocol PN048), we evaluated the feasibility of using FNA to obtain human liver tissue samples appropriate for measuring hepatic pharmacokinetics (PK), using vaniprevir as a tool compound. The primary end point was successful retrieval of liver tissue specimens with measurable vaniprevir concentrations at two of three specified FNA time points. Twenty-nine patients met the primary end point and, therefore, were included in the PK analyses. Hepatic vaniprevir concentrations obtained with FNA were consistent with known vaniprevir PK properties. The shape of liver FNA and CNB concentration-time profiles were comparable. In conclusion, FNA may be effective for serial tissue sampling to assess hepatic drug exposure in patients with liver disease.

Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Posaconazole Administered by Intravenous Solution and Oral Tablet in Healthy Chinese Subjects and Effect of Food on Tablet Bioavailability.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: New intravenous and solid oral formulations of the antifungal agent posaconazole have been developed. This randomized, open-label, crossover study in 18 healthy adult Chinese male and female subjects evaluated the pharmacokinetics of single-dose posaconazole (oral 300-mg posaconazole tablet fasted, intravenous 300-mg posaconazole solution fasted, and oral 300-mg posaconazole tablet with standard high-fat breakfast). Primary objectives were to determine the single-dose pharmacokinetics of posaconazole in healthy Chinese subjects when administered as an intravenous solution and as an oral tablet under fasted conditions and the effect of food on the absorption of posaconazole. METHODS: The three treatments consisted of the following: a single oral dose of posaconazole 300 mg (fasted), a single oral dose of posaconazole 300 mg (high-fat breakfast), and a single intravenous dose of posaconazole 300 mg (fasted). Blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were collected before dosing and at regular intervals after dosing. Adverse events were monitored throughout. The pharmacokinetic population included the per-protocol population. The safety population included all subjects who received one or more doses of the study drug. RESULTS: Time to maximum plasma concentration of intravenous posaconazole coincided with the end of infusion; the half-life (t½) was 25.76 h. Geometric mean (% coefficient of variation) values of area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 extrapolated to infinity (AUC0-∞) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) were 59,925 (36.2%) h·ng/mL and 3999 (28.5%) ng/mL, respectively. The posaconazole tablet had a time to maximum plasma concentration of 4 h and a t½ of 25.21 h after fasting. Geometric mean (coefficient of variation) values of AUC0-∞ and Cmax were 25,263 (39.9%) h·ng/mL and 674.5 (29.6%) ng/mL, respectively. Standard high-fat breakfast increased the exposure of posaconazole approximately twofold with geometric mean ratios (high-fat breakfast/fasted) for AUC0-∞ and Cmax of 2.06 (90% confidence interval 1.86-2.30) and 1.95 (90% confidence interval 1.65-2.31), respectively. The geometric mean absolute bioavailability of the tablet formulation was 42.2% in the fasted state and 87.1% under high-fat breakfast conditions. The most commonly reported adverse events were nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and first-degree atrioventricular block for intravenous posaconazole 300 mg and nausea for oral posaconazole 300 mg (high-fat breakfast). All adverse events were mild and resolved without sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Posaconazole was generally well tolerated in healthy Chinese male and female subjects. The safety and the high-fat breakfast and fasted pharmacokinetics of posaconazole in healthy Chinese subjects are within exposures demonstrated to be generally well tolerated and efficacious and compare reasonably well with the overall posaconazole data across Western countries.

Assessment of Drug Interaction Potential Between the Hepatitis C Virus Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents Elbasvir/Grazoprevir and the Nucleotide Analog Reverse-Transcriptase Inhibitor Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate.

Treatment of individuals coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) requires careful consideration of potential drug-drug interactions. We evaluated the pharmacokinetic interaction of the direct-acting antiviral agents elbasvir and grazoprevir coadministered with the nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Three open-label, multidose studies in healthy adults were conducted. In the first study (N = 10), participants received TDF 300 mg once daily, elbasvir 50 mg once daily, and elbasvir coadministered with TDF. In the second study (N = 12), participants received TDF 300 mg once daily, grazoprevir 200 mg once daily, and grazoprevir coadministered with TDF. In the third study (N = 14), participants received TDF 300 mg once daily and TDF 300 mg coadministered with coformulated elbasvir/grazoprevir 50 mg/100 mg once daily. Pharmacokinetics and safety were evaluated. Following coadministration, the tenofovir area under the plasma concentration-time curve to 24 hours and maximum plasma concentration geometric mean ratios (90% confidence intervals) for tenofovir and coadministered drug(s) versus tenofovir were 1.3 (1.2, 1.5) and 1.5 (1.3, 1.6), respectively, when coadministered with elbasvir; 1.2 (1.1, 1.3) and 1.1 (1.0, 1.2), respectively, when coadministered with grazoprevir; and 1.3 (1.2, 1.4) and 1.1 (1.0, 1.4), respectively, when coadministered with the elbasvir/grazoprevir coformulation. TDF had minimal effect on elbasvir and grazoprevir pharmacokinetics. Elbasvir and/or grazoprevir coadministered with TDF resulted in no clinically meaningful tenofovir exposure increases and was generally well tolerated, with no deaths, serious adverse events (AEs), discontinuations due to AEs, or laboratory AEs reported. No dose adjustments for elbasvir/grazoprevir or TDF are needed for coadministration in HCV/HIV-coinfected people.

A non-randomized trial to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of posaconazole oral suspension in immunocompromised children with neutropenia.

BACKGROUND: Posaconazole (POS) is a potent triazole antifungal agent approved in adults for treatment and prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections (IFIs). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and tolerability of POS oral suspension in pediatric subjects with neutropenia. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, sequential dose-escalation study. Enrolled subjects were divided into 3 age groups: AG1, 7 to <18 years; AG2, 2 to <7 years; and AG3, 3 months to <2 years. AG1 and AG2 were divided into 3 dosage cohorts: DC1, 12 mg/kg/day divided twice daily (BID); DC2, 18 mg/kg/day BID; and DC3, 18 mg/kg/day divided thrice daily (TID). AG3 was also divided into DC1 and DC2; however, no subjects were enrolled in DC2. Subjects received 7-28 days of POS oral suspension. PK samples were collected at predefined time points. The POS PK target was predefined as ~90% of subjects with Cavg (AUC /dosing interval) between 500 and 2500 ng/mL, with an anticipated mean steady state Cavg exposure of ~1200 ng/mL. RESULTS: The percentage of subjects meeting the PK target was <90% across all age groups and dosage cohorts (range: 31% to 80%). The percentage of subjects that achieved the Cavg target of 500 to 2500 ng/mL on Day 7 ranged from 31% to 80%, with the lowest proportion in subjects 2 to <7 years receiving 12 mg/kg/day BID (AG2/DC1) and the highest proportion in subjects 7 to <18 years receiving 18 mg/kg/day TID (AG1/DC3). At all three dose levels (12 mg/kg/day BID, 18 mg/kg/day BID and 18 mg/kg/day TID), subjects in AG1 (7 to <18 years old) had higher mean PK exposures at steady state than those in AG2. High variability in exposures was observed in all groups. POS oral suspension was generally well tolerated and most of the reported adverse events were related to the subjects' underlying diseases. CONCLUSION: The POS PK target of 90% of subjects with Cavg between 500 and 2500 ng/mL was not achieved in any of the age groups across the different dosage cohorts. New formulations of the molecule with a greater potential to achieve the established PK target are currently under investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01716234.

Correction to: Effect of CYP3A Inhibition and Induction on the Pharmacokinetics of Suvorexant: Two Phase I, Open-Label, Fixed-Sequence Trials in Healthy Subjects.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake.

Effect of CYP3A Inhibition and Induction on the Pharmacokinetics of Suvorexant: Two Phase I, Open-Label, Fixed-Sequence Trials in Healthy Subjects.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Suvorexant is an orexin receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of insomnia, characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance. As suvorexant is metabolized primarily by Cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A), and its pharmacokinetics may be affected by CYP3A modulators, the effects of CYP3A inhibitors (ketoconazole or diltiazem) or an inducer (rifampin [rifampicin]) on the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of suvorexant were investigated. METHODS: In two Phase I, open-label, fixed-sequence trials (Studies P008 and P038), healthy subjects received a single oral dose of suvorexant followed by co-administration with multiple once-daily doses of strong/moderate CYP3A inhibitors (ketoconazole/diltiazem) or a strong CYP3A inducer (rifampin). Treatments were administered in the morning: suvorexant 4 mg with ketoconazole 400 mg (Study P008; N = 10), suvorexant 20 mg with diltiazem 240 mg (Study P038; N = 20), and suvorexant 40 mg with rifampin 600 mg (Study P038; N = 10). Area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC0-∞), maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), half-life (t½), and time to Cmax (tmax) were derived from plasma concentrations of suvorexant collected at prespecified time points up to 10 days following CYP3A inhibitor/inducer co-administration. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded. RESULTS: Co-administration with ketoconazole resulted in increased exposure to suvorexant [AUC0-∞: geometric mean ratio (GMR); 90% confidence interval (CI) 2.79 (2.35, 3.31)] while co-administration with diltiazem resulted in a lesser effect [GMR (90% CI): 2.05 (1.82, 2.30)]. Co-administration with rifampin led to a marked decrease (88%) in suvorexant exposure. Consistent with morning administration and known suvorexant pharmacology, somnolence was the most frequently reported AE. CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with expectations that strong CYP3A inhibitors and inducers exert marked effects on suvorexant pharmacokinetics. In the context of a limited sample size, single suvorexant doses were generally well tolerated in healthy subjects when co-administered with/without a CYP3A inhibitor/inducer.

Assessment of drug interaction potential between the HCV direct-acting antiviral agents elbasvir/grazoprevir and the HIV integrase inhibitors raltegravir and dolutegravir.

BACKGROUND: Elbasvir/grazoprevir is a once-daily fixed-dose combination therapy for the treatment of chronic HCV infection, including HCV/HIV coinfection. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the pharmacokinetic interaction of elbasvir and grazoprevir with raltegravir or dolutegravir. METHODS: Three open-label trials in healthy adult participants were conducted. In the raltegravir trials, participants received a single dose of raltegravir 400 mg, a single dose of elbasvir 50 mg or grazoprevir 200 mg, and raltegravir with either elbasvir or grazoprevir. In the dolutegravir trial, participants received a single dose of dolutegravir 50 mg alone or co-administered with once-daily elbasvir 50 mg and grazoprevir 200 mg. RESULTS: The raltegravir AUC0-∞ geometric mean ratio (GMR) (90% CI) was 1.02 (0.81-1.27) with elbasvir and 1.43 (0.89-2.30) with grazoprevir. Dolutegravir AUC0-∞ GMR (90% CI) was 1.16 (1.00-1.34) with elbasvir and grazoprevir. The elbasvir AUC0-∞ GMR (90% CI) was 0.81 (0.57-1.17) with raltegravir and 0.98 (0.93-1.04) with dolutegravir. The grazoprevir AUC0-24 GMR (90% CI) was 0.89 (0.72-1.09) with raltegravir and 0.81 (0.67-0.97) with dolutegravir. CONCLUSIONS: Elbasvir or grazoprevir co-administered with raltegravir or dolutegravir resulted in no clinically meaningful drug-drug interactions and was generally well tolerated. These results support the assertion that no dose adjustments for elbasvir, grazoprevir, raltegravir or dolutegravir are needed for co-administration in HCV/HIV-coinfected people.

Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Single and Multiple Doses of Relebactam, a ß-Lactamase Inhibitor, in Combination with Imipenem and Cilastatin in Healthy Participants.

Relebactam is a novel class A and C ß-lactamase inhibitor that is being developed in combination with imipenem-cilastatin for the treatment of serious infections with Gram-negative bacteria. Here we report on two phase 1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability studies of relebactam administered with or without imipenem-cilastatin to healthy participants: (i) a single-dose (25 to 1,150 mg) and multiple-dose (50 to 625 mg every 6 h [q6h] for 7 to 14 days) escalation study with men and (ii) a single-dose (125 mg) study with women and elderly individuals. Following single- or multiple-dose intravenous administration over 30 min, plasma relebactam concentrations declined biexponentially, with a terminal half-life (t1/2) ranging from 1.35 to 1.85 h independently of the dose. Exposures increased in a dose-proportional manner across the dose range. No clinically significant differences in pharmacokinetics between men and women, or between adult and elderly participants, were observed. Urine pharmacokinetics demonstrated that urinary excretion is the major route of relebactam elimination. No drug-drug interaction between relebactam and imipenem-cilastatin was observed, and the observed t1/2 values for relebactam, imipenem, and cilastatin were comparable, thus supporting coadministration. Relebactam administered alone or in combination with imipenem-cilastatin was well tolerated across the dose ranges studied. No serious adverse events or deaths were reported. The pharmacokinetic profile and favorable safety results supported q6h dosing of relebactam with imipenem-cilastatin in clinical treatment trials.

Odanacatib Pharmacokinetics Comparison Between Chinese and Non-Chinese Postmenopausal Women.

Odanacatib (ODN), an oral selective inhibitor of cathepsin K, was an investigational agent previously in development for the treatment of osteoporosis. In this phase 1 open-label study, 12 healthy Chinese postmenopausal women received single-dose ODN 50 mg on day 1 and multiple-dose ODN 50 mg once weekly on days 15, 22, 29, and 36 under fasted conditions. Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were evaluated on days 1 and 36. Multiple-dose area under the concentration-time profile (AUC0-168h ) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax ) were compared with historical data from 9 non-Chinese postmenopausal women who also received ODN 50 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. Median time to Cmax (tmax ) was 3 and 4 hours following single- and multiple-dose administration, respectively. The arithmetic mean ± SD terminal half-life was 81.0 ± 14.0 and 106.7 ± 14.4 hours following single- and multiple-dose administration, respectively. Comparison of multiple-dose PK parameters showed that the geometric mean ratios (Chinese/non-Chinese) and 95%CIs for AUC0-168h and Cmax were 0.81 (0.55-1.19) and 0.87 (0.69-1.11), respectively. All adverse events were mild, none were serious, and none led to discontinuation. Single- and multiple-dose PKs of ODN 50 mg in Chinese postmenopausal women were generally similar to those previously reported in non-Chinese postmenopausal women.

Intrapulmonary Pharmacokinetics of Relebactam, a Novel ß-Lactamase Inhibitor, Dosed in Combination with Imipenem-Cilastatin in Healthy Subjects.

This phase I study assessed the intrapulmonary pharmacokinetic profiles of relebactam (MK-7655), a novel ß-lactamase inhibitor, and imipenem. Sixteen healthy subjects received 250 mg relebactam with 500 mg imipenem-cilastatin, given intravenously every 6 h for 5 doses, and were randomized to bronchoscopy/bronchoalveolar lavage at 0.5, 1, 1.5, or 3 h after the last dose (4 subjects per time point). Both drugs penetrated the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) to a similar degree, with the profiles being similar in shape to the corresponding plasma profiles and with the apparent terminal half-lives in plasma and ELF being 1.2 and 1.3 h, respectively, for relebactam and 1.0 h in both compartments for imipenem. The exposure (area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity) in ELF relative to that in plasma was 54% for relebactam and 55% for imipenem, after adjusting for protein binding. ELF penetration for relebactam was further analyzed by fitting the data to a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model to capture its behavior in plasma, with a partitioning coefficient capturing its behavior in the lung compartment. In this model, the time-invariant partition coefficient for relebactam was found to be 55%, based on free drug levels. These results support the clinical evaluation of relebactam with imipenem-cilastatin for the treatment of bacterial pneumonia.

No clinically meaningful pharmacokinetic interaction between the hepatitis C virus inhibitors elbasvir and grazoprevir and the oral contraceptives ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel.

PURPOSE: Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are an important element of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in women of childbearing potential. These studies evaluated the safety and pharmacokinetic interactions between elbasvir (EBR) and grazoprevir (GZR) and ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel (EE/LNG). METHODS: Both studies were open-label, single-site, two-period, fixed-sequence, one-way interaction studies. In period 1, subjects received one tablet of EE/LNG (0.03 mg/0.15 mg). In period 2, subjects received EBR (50 mg once daily) for 13 days or GZR (200 mg once daily) for 10 days, with one tablet of EE/LNG on day 7 (GZR group) or 10 (EBR group). Each study enrolled 20 healthy, nonsmoking adult females. RESULTS: There was no clinically meaningful effect of multiple doses of EBR or GZR on the pharmacokinetics of EE or LNG. Geometric mean ratios (GMRs) for AUC0-∞ and Cmax in the presence and absence of EBR were 1.01 and 1.10 for EE and 1.14 and 1.02 for LNG, with 90% confidence intervals (CIs) that were contained in the interval [0.80, 1.25]. Similarly, the AUC0-∞ and Cmax GMRs in the presence and absence of GZR were 1.10 and 1.05 for EE and 1.23 and 0.93 for LNG, respectively. The 90% CIs for EE AUC0-∞ and for EE and LNG Cmax were contained in the interval [0.80, 1.25]; however, the 90% CI for the LNG AUC0-∞ [1.15, 1.32] slightly exceeded the upper bound. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that EBR/GZR can be co-administered to female patients with HCV of childbearing potential who are on OCPs to prevent pregnancy.

Psychomotor effects, pharmacokinetics and safety of the orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant administered in combination with alcohol in healthy subjects.

A double-blind crossover study investigated psychomotor effects, pharmacokinetics, and safety of the orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant with and without alcohol. Healthy adults (n=31) were randomized to receive placebo or suvorexant (40 mg) plus placebo solution or alcohol (0.7 g/kg) in each of four treatments (single doses; morning administration). The US Food and Drug Administration approved suvorexant dose is 10 mg (up to 20 mg) daily. Pharmacodynamic effects were assessed using tests of digit vigilance (DVT; primary endpoint), choice reaction time, digit symbol substitution, numeric working memory, immediate/delayed word recall, body sway and subjective alertness. Suvorexant alone did not significantly affect DVT reaction time, but did impact some pharmacodynamic tests. Suvorexant with alcohol increased reaction time versus either alone (mean difference at 2 h: 44 ms versus suvorexant, p<0.001; 24 ms, versus alcohol, p<0.05) and had additive negative effects on tests of vigilance, working/episodic memory, postural stability and alertness. No effects of suvorexant alone or with alcohol were observed by 9 h. No important changes in pharmacokinetic parameters were observed upon co-administration. All treatments were generally well tolerated without serious adverse events. In conclusion, co-administration of 40 mg suvorexant and 0.7 g/kg alcohol had additive negative psychomotor effects. Patients are advised not to consume alcohol with suvorexant.

Effects of suvorexant, an orexin receptor antagonist, on sleep parameters as measured by polysomnography in healthy men.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Suvorexant (MK-4305) is an orexin receptor antagonist being developed for the treatment of insomnia. This report describes the effects of nighttime administration of suvorexant on polysomnography (PSG) sleep parameters in healthy young men. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-period crossover PSG study, followed by an additional 5(th) period to assess pharmacokinetics. SETTING: Sleep laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy young men between 18 and 45 years of age (22 enrolled, 19 completed). INTERVENTIONS: Periods 1-4: suvorexant (10 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg) or placebo 1 h before nighttime PSG recording. Period 5: suvorexant 10 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: In Periods 1-4, overnight sleep parameters were recorded by PSG and next-morning residual effects were assessed by psychomotor performance tests and subjective assessments. Statistically significant sleep-promoting effects were observed with all doses of suvorexant compared to placebo. Suvorexant 50 mg and 100 mg significantly decreased latency to persistent sleep and wake after sleep onset time, and increased sleep efficiency. Suvorexant 10 mg significantly decreased wake after sleep onset time. There were no statistically significant effects of suvorexant on EEG frequency bands including delta (slow wave) activity based on power spectral analysis. Suvorexant was well tolerated. There was no evidence of next-day residual effects for suvorexant 10 mg. Suvorexant 50 mg statistically significantly reduced subjective alertness, and suvorexant 100 mg significantly increased reaction time and reduced subjective alertness. There were no statistically significant effects of any suvorexant dose on digit symbol substitution test performance. In Period 5, plasma samples of suvorexant were collected for pharmacokinetic evaluation. The median T(max) was 3 hours and apparent terminal t(½) was 9-13 hours. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy young men without sleep disorders, suvorexant promoted sleep with some evidence of residual effects at the highest doses.

Effect of rifampin, a potent inducer of drug-metabolizing enzymes, on the pharmacokinetics of raltegravir.

Raltegravir is a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase strand transfer inhibitor that is metabolized by glucuronidation via UGT1A1 and may be affected by inducers of UGT1A1, such as rifampin (rifampicin). Two pharmacokinetic studies were performed in healthy subjects: study 1 examined the effect of administration of 600-mg rifampin once daily on the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of 400-mg raltegravir, and study 2 examined the effect of 600-mg rifampin once daily on the pharmacokinetics of 800-mg raltegravir twice daily compared to 400-mg raltegravir twice daily without rifampin. Raltegravir coadministered with rifampin resulted in lower plasma raltegravir concentrations: in study 1, the geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and 90% confidence intervals (90% CIs) for the plasma raltegravir concentration determined 12 h postdose (C(12)), area under the concentration-time curve from 0 h to infinity (AUC(0-infinity)), and maximum concentration of drug in plasma (C(max)) (400-mg raltegravir plus rifampin/400-mg raltegravir) were 0.39 (0.30, 0.51), 0.60 (0.39, 0.91), and 0.62 (0.37, 1.04), respectively. In study 2, the GMRs and 90% CIs for raltegravir C(12), AUC(0-12), and C(max) (800-mg raltegravir plus rifampin/400-mg raltegravir) were 0.47 (0.36, 0.61), 1.27 (0.94, 1.71), and 1.62 (1.12, 2.33), respectively. Doubling the raltegravir dose to 800 mg when coadministered with rifampin therefore compensates for the effect of rifampin on raltegravir exposure (AUC(0-12)) but does not overcome the effect of rifampin on raltegravir trough concentrations (C(12)). Coadministration of rifampin and raltegravir is not contraindicated; however, caution should be used, since raltegravir trough concentrations in the presence of rifampin are likely to be at the lower limit of clinical experience.

Effect of tipranavir-ritonavir on pharmacokinetics of raltegravir.

Raltegravir (RAL) is a novel and potent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase inhibitor that is predominantly metabolized via glucuronidation. The protease inhibitor combination tipranavir (TPV) at 500 mg and ritonavir (RTV) at 200 mg (TPV-RTV) has inhibitory and inductive effects on metabolic enzymes, which includes the potential to induce glucuronosyltransferase. Because RAL may be coadministered with TPV-RTV, there is the potential for the induction of RAL metabolism. Consequently, we assessed the effect of TPV-RTV on the pharmacokinetics of RAL and the safety and tolerability of this combination. Eighteen healthy adults were enrolled in this open-label study. The participants received RAL at 400 mg twice daily for 4 days (period 1) and TPV-RTV twice daily for 7 days (period 2), followed immediately by 400 mg RAL with TPV-RTV twice daily for 4 days (period 3). Under steady-state conditions, the RAL concentration at 12 h (C(12)) was decreased when RAL was administered with TPV-RTV (geometric mean ratio [GMR], 0.45; 90% confidence interval [CI] 0.31, 0.66; P = 0.0021); however, the area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to 12 h (GMR, 0.76; 90% CI, 0.49, 1.19; P = 0.2997) and the maximum concentration in serum (GMR, 0.82; 90% CI, 0.46, 1.46; P = 0.5506) were not substantially affected. There were no serious adverse experiences or discontinuations due to study drug-related adverse experiences, and RAL coadministered with TPV-RTV was generally well tolerated. Although the RAL C(12) was decreased with TPV-RTV in this study, favorable efficacy data collected in phase III studies substantiate that TPV-RTV may be coadministered with RAL without dose adjustment.