Lung Delivery of Indacaterol and Mometasone Furoate Following Inhalation of QMF149 in Healthy Volunteers.

This single-dose, 4-period crossover study evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PK) of the ß2 -agonist indacaterol maleate and the corticosteroid mometasone furoate (MF) after inhalation of a fixed-dose combination (QMF149, indacaterol maleate/MF, 500/400 µg) via the Twisthaler (TH) device with and without activated charcoal and postdose mouth rinsing in healthy volunteers. The PK of indacaterol maleate 300 µg inhaled via the Breezhaler (BRZ) device was also characterized. Relative bioavailability of indacaterol and MF for inhalation with versus without charcoal, based on AUClast, was 0.25 (90% confidence interval [CI], 0.18-0.35) and 0.70 (90%CI, 0.52-0.93), respectively. Thus, 25% and 70% of systemic exposure of indacaterol and MF, respectively was due to pulmonary absorption and 75% and 30%, respectively, was due to gastrointestinal absorption. Mouth rinsing reduced the systemic exposure of indacaterol by approximately 35% but had no relevant effect on the exposure of MF. Dose-normalized AUClast for indacaterol inhaled via the BRZ device was 2.3-fold higher than QMF149 via the TH device. All treatments had a good safety profile and were well tolerated. Data from this study and comparison with inhalation of indacaterol via the BRZ device suggest that the latter was more efficient than the TH device regarding lung delivery of indacaterol.

Effects of Therapeutic and Supratherapeutic Doses of Siponimod (BAF312) on Cardiac Repolarization in Healthy Subjects.

PURPOSE: The International Conference on Harmonisation E14 guideline mandates an intensive cardiac safety evaluation in a clinical thorough QT study, typically in healthy subjects, for all new non-antiarrhythmic drugs with systemic bioavailability. This thorough QT study investigated the effects of therapeutic (2 mg) and supratherapeutic (10 mg) doses of siponimod (BAF312) on cardiac repolarization in healthy subjects. METHODS: The study was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo- and moxifloxacin-controlled, multiple oral dose study. Eligible subjects were randomly assigned to 3 groups to receive siponimod (up-titration to 2 and 10 mg over 18 days), placebo (Days -1 to 18), or moxifloxacin 400 mg Days 10 and 18). Triplicate ECGs were extracted at prespecified time points from Holter ECGs recorded from 1 hour predose until 24 hours postdose at baseline and on-treatment assessment Days 10 and 18. The primary pharmacodynamic variable was the time-matched, placebo-corrected, baseline-adjusted mean QTcF (ΔΔQTcF) at steady-state conditions. In addition, the pharmacokinetic parameters of siponimod and its main circulating metabolite M3 and its metabolite M5 were evaluated. FINDINGS: Of the 304 enrolled subjects, 281 (92.4%) were included in the pharmacodynamic analysis and 270 (88.8%) completed the study. The upper bounds of the 2-sided 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for ΔΔQTcF at both siponimod doses were within the regulatory threshold of 10 milliseconds (ms) at all predefined on-treatment time points, with the absence of any dose-related effects. The highest observed upper limits of the 2-sided 90% CIs of 9.8 and 9.6 ms for therapeutic and supratherapeutic doses, respectively, were both observed at 3 hours postdose. No treatment-emergent QTc values >480 ms and no QTc increases of >60 ms from baseline were observed. Similar results were obtained with individualized heart rate correction of cardiac repolarization (QTcI). Assay validity was demonstrated by maximum ΔΔQTcF of >5 ms after 400 mg moxifloxacin on both on-treatment assessment days. The selected supratherapeutic dose produced approximately 5-fold higher exposures (Cmax and AUC) than the therapeutic dose, and was considered appropriate to investigate the effects of siponimod on QT/QTc at substantial multiples of the anticipated maximum therapeutic exposure. IMPLICATIONS: The findings provide evidence that siponimod is not associated with a significant arrhythmogenic potential related to QT prolongation.

Pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction study of ranolazine and metformin in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Ranolazine and metformin may be frequently co-administered in subjects with chronic angina and co-morbid type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The potential for a drug-drug interaction was explored in two phase 1 clinical studies in subjects with T2DM to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and safety of metformin 1000 mg BID when administered with ranolazine 1000 mg BID (Study 1, N = 28) or ranolazine 500 mg BID (Study 2, N = 25) as compared to metformin alone. Co-administration of ranolazine 1000 mg BID with metformin 1000 mg BID resulted in 1.53- and 1.79-fold increases in steady-state metformin Cmax and AUCtau , respectively; co-administration of ranolazine 500 mg BID with metformin 1000 mg BID resulted in 1.22- and 1.37-fold increases in steady-state metformin Cmax and AUCtau , respectively. Co-administration of ranolazine and metformin was well tolerated in these T2DM subjects, with no serious adverse events or drug-related adverse events leading to discontinuation. The most common adverse events were nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. These findings are consistent with a dose-related interaction between ranolazine and metformin, and suggest that a dose adjustment of metformin may not be required with ranolazine 500 mg BID; whereas, the metformin dose should not exceed 1700 mg of total daily dose when using ranolazine 1000 mg BID.

Comparison of intranasal ketorolac tromethamine pharmacokinetics in younger and older adults.

BACKGROUND: The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ketorolac tromethamine shows higher plasma concentrations and a longer plasma half-life in adults ≥65 years of age than in subjects aged <65 years, after intramuscular administration. An intranasal formulation of ketorolac tromethamine is approved for short-term treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain requiring analgesia at the opioid level. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of a single intranasal dose of ketorolac tromethamine 31.5 mg (15.75 mg per nostril) in adults aged ≥65 and <65 years. METHODS: Healthy adults with body mass indices of 15-30 kg/m(2) were eligible for the study. Following intranasal ketorolac tromethamine dosing, blood samples (approximately 7 mL per sample) for pharmacokinetic assessment were obtained at 15, 30 and 45 min and 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 15 and 24 h after dosing. Plasma ketorolac concentration versus time data were analysed to determine maximum (peak) ketorolac concentration (C(max)) and time to reach C(max) (t(max)) and estimate pharmacokinetic parameters. RESULTS: Thirty healthy subjects were enrolled in and completed the study. For analysis, data were stratified by participant age into two groups, consisting of younger adult subjects (<65 years of age) and older adult subjects (≥65 years of age). Mean (±SD) age was 44 ± 10 and 72 ± 6 years in the younger and older groups, respectively. Mean (±SD) plasma ketorolac C(max) was 10 % higher (2,028.8 ± 1,069.5 and 1,840.1 ± 995.9 ng/mL) and mean (±SD) terminal elimination half-life (t(½ß)) was 37 % longer (4.52 ± 1.14 and 3.31 ± 0.96 h) in the ≥65-years age group than in the <65-years group, respectively. Mean (±SD) plasma ketorolac area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC(∞)) was 28 % higher in older subjects than in younger subjects (8,794.8 ± 4,129.4 and 6,890.8 ± 3,448.5 ng · h/mL, respectively). Differences were not statistically significant, but did not demonstrate formal equivalence. Mean (±SD) residence time was 36 % higher in the ≥65-years age group than in the <65-years group (6.02 ± 1.50 and 4.44 ± 1.06 h, respectively) (p = 0.003). There were no serious adverse events during the study. Two mild events of headache and eyelid infection occurred. There were no clinically relevant changes or an apparent difference between age groups in laboratory or physical assessments. CONCLUSION: The increased systemic exposure to ketorolac following intranasal administration in adults ≥65 years of age warrants reduction of the intranasal ketorolac tromethamine dose, and halving the dose to 15.75 mg (one spray to one nostril) in this patient population is recommended based on similar dosing adjustments made for intramuscular ketorolac tromethamine.

The minimal impact of food on the pharmacokinetics of ridaforolimus.

PURPOSE: Ridaforolimus, a potent inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), is under development for the treatment for solid tumors. This open-label, randomized, 3-period crossover study investigated the effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of ridaforolimus 40 mg as well as safety and tolerability of the study medication. METHODS: Ridaforolimus was administered to 18 healthy, male subjects (mean age 36.4 years) in the fasted state, following ingestion of a light breakfast, and following a high-fat breakfast. Whole blood samples were collected from each subject pre-dose and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 168 h post-dose. RESULTS: The geometric mean (95 % confidence interval, CI) fasted blood area under the curve (AUC(0-∞)) and maximum concentration (C(max)) were 1940 (1510, 2500) ng h/mL and 116 (87, 156) ng/mL, respectively, and median time to C(max) (T(max)) and average apparent terminal half-life (t(1/2)) were 6.0 and 64.5 h, respectively. Both T(max) and t(1/2) were similar in the fasted and fed states. With a light breakfast, the geometric mean intra-individual ratios (GMRs) for AUC(0-∞) and C(max) (fed/fasted) and 90 % CIs were 1.06 (0.85, 1.32) and 1.15 (0.83, 1.60); following a high-fat breakfast, the AUC(0-∞) and C(max) GMRs (90 % CI) were 1.46 (1.18, 1.81) and 1.12 (0.81, 1.53), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Increases in ridaforolimus exposure following both the light and high-fat breakfasts were not considered to be clinically meaningful. Ridaforolimus was generally well tolerated, and there were no discontinuations due to drug-related AEs. Ridaforolimus should be given without regard to food.