D-Optimal mixture design optimization of an HPLC method for simultaneous determination of commonly used antihistaminic parent molecules and their active metabolites in human serum and urine.

This study describes a specific, precise, sensitive and accurate method for simultaneous determination of hydroxyzine, loratadine, terfenadine, rupatadine and their main active metabolites cetirizine, desloratadine and fexofenadine, in serum and urine using meclizine as an internal standard. Solid-phase extraction method for sample clean-up and preconcentration of analytes was carried out using Phenomenex Strata-X-C and Strata X polymeric cartridges. Chromatographic analysis was performed on a Phenomenex cyano (150 × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm) analytical column. A D-optimal mixture design methodology was used to evaluate the effect of changes in mobile phase compositions on dependent variables and optimization of the response of interest. The mixture design experiments were performed and results were analyzed. The region of ideal mobile phase composition consisting of acetonitrile-methanol-ammonium acetate buffer (40 mm; pH 3.8 adjusted with acetic acid): 18:36:46% v/v/v was identified by a graphical optimization technique using an overlay plot. While using this optimized condition all analytes were baseline resolved in <10 min. Solvent mixtures were delivered at 1.5 mL/min flow rate and analytes peaks were detected at 222 nm. The proposed bioanalytical method was validated according to US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The proposed method was sensitive with detection limits of 0.06-0.15 µg/mL in serum and urine samples. Relative standard deviation for inter- and intra-day precision data was found to be <7%. The proposed method may find application in the determination of selected antihistaminic drugs in biological fluids.

Promethazine misuse among methadone maintenance patients and community-based injection drug users.

OBJECTIVE: Promethazine has been reported to be misused in conjunction with opioids in several settings. Promethazine misuse by itself or in conjunction with opioids may have serious adverse health effects. To date, no prevalence data for the nonmedical use of promethazine have been reported. This study examines the prevalence and correlates of promethazine use in 2 different populations in San Francisco, California: methadone maintenance clinic patients and community-based injection drug users (IDUs). METHODS: We analyzed urine samples for the presence of promethazine and reviewed the clinical records for 334 methadone maintenance patients at the county methadone clinic. Separately, we used targeted sampling methods to recruit and survey 139 community-based opioid IDUs about their use of promethazine. We assessed prevalence and factors associated with promethazine use with bivariate and multivariate statistics. RESULTS: The prevalence of promethazine-positive urine samples among the methadone maintenance patients was 26%. Only 15% of promethazine-positive patients had an active prescription for promethazine. Among IDUs reporting injection of opiates in the community-based survey, 17% reported having used promethazine in the past month; 24% of the IDUs who reported being enrolled in methadone treatment reported using promethazine in the past month. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that one-quarter of methadone maintenance patients in a clinic or recruited in community settings have recently used promethazine provides compelling evidence of significant nonmedical use of promethazine in this patient population. Further research is needed to establish the extent and nature of nonmedical use of promethazine.

Determination of ketotifen fumarate by capillary electrophoresis with tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) electrochemiluminescence detection.

On the basis of an europium (III)-doped Prussian blue analog film modifying platinum electrode as the working electrode, a Ru(bpy)3²âº-based electrochemiluminescence (ECL) assay coupled with capillary electrophoresis has been first established for the determination of ketotifen fumarate (KTF). Analytes were injected onto a separation capillary of 50 cm length (50 µm i.d., 360 µm o.d.) by electrokinetic injection for 10 s at 10 kV. Parameters related to the separation and detection were discussed and optimized. It was proved that 15 mM phosphate buffer at pH 8.0 could achieve the most favorable resolution, and the highest sensitivity of detection was obtained using the detection potential at 1.25 V and 5 mM Ru(bpy)3²âº in 100 mM phosphate buffer at pH 8.0 in the detection reservoir. Under the optimized conditions, the ECL intensity was in proportion to KTF concentration over the range from 3.0 × 10⁻8 to 5.0 × 10⁻6 g mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 2.1 × 10⁻8 g mL⁻¹ (3σ). The relative standard deviations of the ECL intensity and the migration time were 0.95 and 0.26%, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to determine KTF contents in pharmaceuticals and human urine with recoveries between 99.5 and 107.0%.

Effects of the P-glycoprotein inducer carbamazepine on fexofenadine pharmacokinetics.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effects of carbamazepine, a P-glycoprotein inducer, on fexofenadine pharmacokinetics. Twelve healthy Japanese volunteers (nine males and three females) were enrolled in this study after giving written informed consent. This randomized open-label study consisted of two phases (control and 7-day treatment) with a 2-week washout period. In the control phase, volunteers received 60 mg fexofenadine hydrochloride after an overnight fast. In the treatment phase, carbamazepine was dosed 100 mg three times daily (for a total daily dose of 300 mg) for 7 days, and on Day 7, a single 60-mg dose of fexofenadine was coadministered with a 100-mg dose of carbamazepine. The plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of fexofenadine were measured for 24 hours after dosing. Carbamazepine pretreatment significantly altered fexofenadine pharmacokinetics, decreasing the mean (+/- standard deviation) peak plasma concentration from 176.6 (+/- 82.1) ng/mL to 103.2 (+/- 33.6) ng/mL (P < 0.01) and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 1058.4 (+/- 528.7) ng/h/mL to 604.8 (+/- 255.9) ng/h/mL (P < 0.01) without changing the elimination half-life. Relatively, carbamazepine significantly reduced the amount of fexofenadine excreted into the urine from 8.1 (+/- 2.1) mg to 4.5 (+/- 1.4) mg (P < 0.001), although the renal clearance of fexofenadine remained constant between the two study phases. Thus, this study indicates that carbamazepine significantly decreases fexofenadine plasma concentrations, probably as a result of P-glycoprotein induction in the small intestine. Carbamazepine treatment, therefore, is of moderate clinical significance for patients receiving fexofenadine.

Application of a continuous square-wave potential program for sub nano molar determination of ketotifen.

An electroanalytical method has been developed for the determination of the ketotifen by continuous square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry on a ultra-gold microelectrode (Au UME) in aqueous solution with phosphate buffer as supporting electrolyte. The best adsorption conditions were found to be pH 2.3, an accumulation potential of 300 mV (Au vs. Ag: AgCl-KCl 3 M) and an accumulation time of 400 ms. Variation of admittance in the detection process is created by inhibition of oxidation reaction of the electrode surface, by adsorption of ketotifen. Furthermore, signal-to-noise ratio was significantly increased by application of discrete fast Fourier transform (FFT) method, background subtraction and two-dimensional integration of the electrode response over a selected potential range and time window. Also in this work some parameters such as square-wave frequency, eluent pH, and accumulation time were optimized. Effects of square-wave frequency, step potential and pulse amplitude were examined for the optimization of instrumental conditions. The calibration curve is linear in the range 2.0x10(-7)---5.0x10(-12) M with a detection limit of 2.0x10(-12) M (ca. 0.7 pg/ml). The method maybe applied direct determination of the drug in pharmaceutical and biological samples. For a concentration of 5.0x10(-8) M a recovery value of 99.89% is obtained.

The effect of CYP2J2, CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and the MDR1 polymorphisms and gender on the urinary excretion of the metabolites of the H-receptor antihistamine ebastine: a pilot study.

AIMS: To determine the effect of gender and the genetic polymorphisms of CYP2J2, CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and MDR1 on the urinary excretion of the H(1) antihistamine ebastine in healthy subjects. METHODS: Eighty-nine Caucasians were studied. The presence of polymorphisms in genes known to be involved in ebastine metabolism and transport (CYP2J2*2,*3,*4,*6,*7, CYP3A4*1B, CYP3A5*3, *6 and MDR1(ABCB1)(C3435T)) was assessed by means of PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing methods. Genotype was correlated with the urinary excretion of the main ebastine metabolites (desalkylebastine and carebastine) under basal conditions and after administration of grapefruit juice. RESULTS: Women excreted statistically greater amounts of desalkylebastine in urine (mean +/- SD (95% confidence intervals, 95% CI), 23.0 +/- 19.5 (18.1, 27.9) micromol) than men (12.4 +/- 11.0 (7.9, 16.9)), (mean difference: 10.6 (2.4, 18.7), P < 0.005). The CYP2J2, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 analysed polymorphisms did not greatly affect ebastine metabolite excretion. The MDR1(C3435T) polymorphism was found to affect both the urinary excretion of the active metabolite carebastine (32.3 +/- 18.3 (23.1, 41.4), 22.8 +/- 14.7 (18.6, 27.0) and 21.5 +/- 15.3 (14.7, 28.3) for CC, CT and TT carriers, respectively; P < 0.05) and the grapefruit juice-induced inhibition of its transport/formation (mean fold-decrease +/- SD (95% CI), 1.5 +/- 0.8 (1.0, 2.0), 1.1 +/- 0.9 (0.7, 1.4) and 0.9 +/- 0.4 (0.6, 1.2) for CC, CT and TT carriers, respectively; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Gender and the presence of the MDR1(C3435T) polymorphism both influence the excretion of ebastine metabolites in urine.

Systems toxicology: integrated genomic, proteomic and metabonomic analysis of methapyrilene induced hepatotoxicity in the rat.

Administration of high doses of the histamine antagonist methapyrilene to rats causes periportal liver necrosis. The mechanism of toxicity is ill-defined and here we have utilized an integrated systems approach to understanding the toxic mechanisms by combining proteomics, metabonomics by 1H NMR spectroscopy and genomics by microarray gene expression profiling. Male rats were dosed with methapyrilene for 3 days at 150 mg/kg/day, which was sufficient to induce liver necrosis, or a subtoxic dose of 50 mg/kg/day. Urine was collected over 24 h each day, while blood and liver tissues were obtained at 2 h after the final dose. The resulting data further define the changes that occur in signal transduction and metabolic pathways during methapyrilene hepatotoxicity, revealing modification of expression levels of genes and proteins associated with oxidative stress and a change in energy usage that is reflected in both gene/protein expression patterns and metabolites. The difficulties of combining and interpreting multiomic data are considered.

Effects of itraconazole and diltiazem on the pharmacokinetics of fexofenadine, a substrate of P-glycoprotein.

AIMS: Fexofenadine is a substrate of several drug transporters including P-glycoprotein. Our objective was to evaluate the possible effects of two P-glycoprotein inhibitors, itraconazole and diltiazem, on the pharmacokinetics of fexofenadine, a putative probe of P-glycoprotein activity in vivo, and compare the inhibitory effect between the two in healthy volunteers. METHODS: In a randomized three-phase crossover study, eight healthy volunteers were given oral doses of 100 mg itraconazole twice daily, 100 mg diltiazem twice daily or a placebo capsule twice daily (control) for 5 days. On the morning of day 5 each subject was given 120 mg fexofenadine, and plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of fexofenadine were measured up to 48 h after dosing. RESULTS: Itraconazole pretreatment significantly increased mean (+/-SD) peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of fexofenadine from 699 (+/-366) ng ml-1 to 1346 (+/-561) ng ml-1 (95% CI of differences 253, 1040; P<0.005) and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve [AUC0,infinity] from 4133 (+/-1776) ng ml-1 h to 11287 (+/-4552) ng ml-1 h (95% CI 3731, 10575; P<0.0001). Elimination half-life and renal clearance in the itraconazole phase were not altered significantly compared with those in the control phase. In contrast, diltiazem pretreatment did not affect Cmax (704+/-316 ng ml-1, 95% CI -145, 155), AUC0, infinity (4433+/-1565 ng ml-1 h, 95% CI -1353, 754), or other pharmacokinetic parameters of fexofenadine. CONCLUSIONS: Although some drug transporters other than P-glycoprotein are thought to play an important role in fexofenadine pharmacokinetics, itraconazole pretreatment increased fexofenadine exposure, probably due to the reduced first-pass effect by inhibiting the P-glycoprotein activity. As diltiazem pretreatment did not alter fexofenadine pharmacokinetics, therapeutic doses of diltiazem are unlikely to affect the P-glycoprotein activity in vivo.

Optimization by factorial design of a capillary zone electrophoresis method for the simultaneous separation of antihistamines.

A 3(2) full factorial design was used to optimize the experimental conditions of a capillary zone electrophoresis method aimed at achieving simultaneous separation and quantification of the antihistamines brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, cyproheptadine, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, hydroxyzine, and loratadine according to their therapeutic group. A statistical program, SPSS, was used to calculate the mathematical model with which to obtain the response surface. Critical parameters such as pH and applied voltage were studied to evaluate their effect on resolution and on efficiency. Optimum separation conditions were phosphate buffer pH 2.0, 5kV, and 2psis(-1) at 214nm. The analysis time was below 9min and the theoretical plates were between 6000 and 63,000N. Calibration curves were prepared for the antihistamines. The limits of detection were 4-14ngmL(-1), which allow their quantification in pharmaceuticals. The RSD% of each antihistamine was fairly good. Up to seven antihistamines belonging to the antihistaminic H(1)-receptor group were separated in the same electropherogram. The proposed method was then applied to the determination of antihistamines in pharmaceutical, urine, and serum samples with recoveries in agreement with the stated contents.

Different effects of three transporting inhibitors, verapamil, cimetidine, and probenecid, on fexofenadine pharmacokinetics.

OBJECTIVE: Fexofenadine is a substrate of P-glycoprotein and organic anion transporting polypeptides. The aim of this study was to compare the inhibitory effects of different transporting inhibitors on fexofenadine pharmacokinetics. METHODS: Twelve male volunteers took a single oral 120-mg dose of fexofenadine. Thereafter three 6-day courses of either 240 mg verapamil, an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein, 800 mg cimetidine, an inhibitor of organic cation transporters, or 2000 mg probenecid, an inhibitor of organic anion transporting polypeptides, were administered on a daily basis in a randomized fashion with the same dose of fexofenadine on day 6. Plasma and urine concentrations of fexofenadine were monitored up to 48 hours after dosing. RESULTS: Verapamil treatment significantly increased the peak plasma concentration by 2.9-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4- to 4.0-fold) and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to infinity [AUC(0-infinity)] of fexofenadine by 2.5-fold (95% CI, 2.0- to 3.3-fold). No changes in any plasma pharmacokinetic parameters of fexofenadine were found during cimetidine treatment. AUC(0-infinity) was slightly but significantly increased during probenecid treatment by 1.5-fold (95% CI, 1.1- to 2.4-fold). Renal clearance of fexofenadine was significantly decreased during cimetidine treatment to 61% (95% CI, 50%-98%) and during probenecid treatment to 27% (95% CI, 20%-58%) but not during verapamil treatment. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that verapamil increases fexofenadine exposure probably because of an increase in bioavailability through P-glycoprotein inhibition and that probenecid slightly increases the area under the plasma concentration-time curve of fexofenadine as a result of a pronounced reduction in renal clearance. However, it may be difficult to explain these interactions by simple inhibitory mechanisms on target transporters.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of diphenhydramine in camels and horses after intravenous administration.

The pharmacokinetics of diphenhydramine (DPHM) was compared in camels (n = 8) and horses (n = 6) following intravenous (i.v.) administration of a dose of 0.625 mg/kg body weight. In addition, the metabolism and urinary detection time of DPHM was evaluated in camels. The data obtained (median and range in brackets) in camels and horses, respectively, were as follows. The terminal elimination half lives (h) were 1.58 (1.13-2.58) and 6.11 (4.80-14.1), and the total body clearances (L/h per kg) were 1.42 (1.13-1.74) and 0.79 (0.66-0.90). The volumes of distribution at steady state (L/kg) were 2.38 (1.58-4.43) and 5.98 (4.60-8.31) and the volumes of the central compartment of the two compartment pharmacokinetic model were 1.58 (0.80-2.54) and 2.48 (1.79-3.17). All the pharmacokinetic parameters in camels were significantly different from those of horses. Five metabolites of DPHM were tentatively identified in the camel's urine. Two metabolites, diphenylmethoxyacetic acid and 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-phenylmethoxyacetic acid, were present in the acid fraction. Two metabolites, desamino-DPHM and diphenylmethanol, were identified in the basic fraction, in addition to DPHM itself, which was present mainly as a conjugate. Even after enzymatic hydrolysis, DPHM could be detected for up to 24 h in camels after an i.v. dose of 0.625 mg/kg body weight.

Biotransformation of cyclizine in greyhounds. 1: Identification and analysis of cyclizine and some basic metabolites in canine urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

1. The partial in vivo biotransformation of Marezine [(cyclizine.HCl); 1-diphenylmethyl-4-methylpiperazine hydrochloride] in the racing greyhound and the excretion of the unconjugated and conjugated (Phase II) basic metabolites of cyclizine in canine urine are reported. 2. Using copolymeric bonded mixed-mode solid-phase extraction cartridges, the basic isolates from both unhydrolysed and enzyme hydrolysed urine samples were isolated, derivatized as trimethylsilyl ethers and analysed by positive-ion electron ionization gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (EI(+)-GC-MS). Selected samples were analysed by positive-ion methane chemical ionization (CI(+))-GC-MS to aid structure elucidation of the putative metabolites. 3. Cyclizine was the major component excreted in post-administration urine. Five substrate-related basic compounds (M1--> M5) were tentatively identified by EI(+)- and CI(+)-GC-MS. The major Phase I metabolite was identified as norcyclizine [1-diphenylmethylpiperazine] (M1), the other metabolites (M2 --> M5) were tentatively identified as monohydroxylated products based on MS data. 4. Cyclizine and the N(4)-desmethyl metabolite (M1) are excreted unconjugated; the other four hydroxylated metabolites are excreted as Phase II conjugates (glucuronides and/or sulphates). Structures of the putative basic metabolites are presented. At least four other basic metabolites were also detected in post-administration urine, but could not be characterized from GC-MS data. 5. All unhydrolysed post-administration urine samples were analysed by selected ion monitoring EI(+)-GC-MS to quantify cyclizine and norcyclizine (M1) using authentic cyclizine as the analyte and chlorcyclizine as the internal standard. The level of M1 is expressed as 'cyclizine equivalents'. The duration of urinary elimination of cyclizine and M1 was obtained from their excretion profiles. 6. From these studies, cyclizine and norcyclizine (M1) would be the target compounds of choice in the development of screening and confirmatory methods for the detection of cyclizine administration to racing greyhounds. Information on any of the other metabolites may also be of some value for confirmatory analysis.

Biotransformation of cyclizine in greyhounds. 2: N(1)-dealkylation and identification of some neutral and phenolic metabolites in canine urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

1. The in vivo enzymatic Phase I biotransformation of cyclizine (Marezine in the racing greyhound has been shown to proceed via several different pathways. Aromatic and heterocyclic oxidation and the N(4)-demethylation of cyclizine lead to the formation of unconjugated and conjugated (Phase II) basic metabolites excreted in canine urine. 2. Enzymatic N(1)-dealkylation of cyclizine and its basic metabolites leads to the formation of the neutral and phenolic Phase I metabolites containing the diphenylmethane/methylene substructures. Further, Phase I metabolism of the neutral metabolites could also lead to the formation of several secondary phenolic products. These neutral and phenolic compounds are then excreted as unconjugated and Phase II conjugates in greyhound urine. 3. Following enzymatic deconjugation of selected post-Marezine administration urine samples from two greyhounds, the total aglycones were extracted and separated into neutral/acidic and basic fractions using copolymeric mixed-mode solid-phase extraction cartridges. 4. The neutral/acid isolates were further separated into neutral and phenolic fractions by column chromatography on a lipophilic strong anion-exchanger gel, triethylaminohydroxypropyl Sephadex LH-20 in OH(-) form. 5. The individual neutral and phenolic fractions obtained from the acid/neutral isolate were derivatized as trimethylsilyl ethers and analysed by positive-ion electron ionization gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (EI(+)-GC-MS). 6. Three compounds, diphenylmethane (M1), benzophenone (or diphenyl ketone, M2) and benzhydrol (M3), were identified in the neutral isolates by comparison of their EI(+) mass spectra with authentic standards. At least seven secondary compounds containing the functionalized diphenylmethylene substructure were detected in the phenolic isolates. As no authentic compounds are available, the structures of these putative metabolites (M4--> M10) were elucidated from an interpretation of the EI(+)-GC-mass spectra of their TMS derivatives.

MDR1 gene polymorphisms and disposition of the P-glycoprotein substrate fexofenadine.

AIMS: The C3435T polymorphism in the human MDR1 gene is associated with lower intestinal P-glycoprotein expression, reduced protein function in peripheral blood cells and higher plasma concentrations of the P-glycoprotein substrate digoxin. Using fexofenadine, a known P-glycoprotein substrate, the hypothesis was tested whether this polymorphism also affects the disposition of other drugs in humans. METHODS: Ten Caucasian subjects homozygous for the wild-type allele at position 3435 (CC) and 10 individuals homozygous for T at position 3435 participated in this study. A single oral dose of 180 mg fexofenadine HCl was administered. Plasma and urine concentrations of fexofenadine were measured up to 72 h using a sensitive LC/MS method. In addition, P-glycoprotein function was assessed using efflux of the P-glycoprotein substrate rhodamine 123 from CD56+ cells. Results Fexofenadine plasma concentrations varied considerably among the study population. However, fexofenadine disposition was not significantly different between the CC and TT groups (e.g. AUC(0,infinity) CC vs TT: 3567.1+/-1535.5 vs 3910.1+/-1894.8 ng ml-1 h, NS; 95% CI on the difference -1364.9, 2050.9). In contrast, P-glycoprotein function was significantly decreased in CD56+ cells of the TT compared with the CC group (rhodamine fluorescence CC vs TT: 45.6+/-7.2% vs 61.1+/-12.3%, P<0.05; 95% CI on the difference 5.6, 25.5). Conclusions In spite of MDR1 genotype-dependent differences in P-glycoprotein function in peripheral blood cells, there was no association of the C3435T polymorphism with the disposition of the P-glycoprotein substrate fexofenadine in this German Caucasian study population. These data indicate that other mechanisms including uptake transporter function are likely to play a role in fexofenadine disposition.

Determination of fexofenadine in human plasma and urine by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A sensitive method was developed to determine fexofenadine in human plasma and urine by HPLC-electrospray mass spectrometry with MDL 026042 as internal standard. Extraction was carried out on C18 solid-phase extraction cartridges. The mobile phases used for HPLC were: (A) 12 mM ammonium acetate in water and (B) acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a LUNA CN column (10 cm x 2.0 mm I.D., particle size 3 microm) using a linear gradient from 40% B to 60% B in 10 min. The mass spectrometer was operated in the selected ion monitoring mode using the respective MH+ ions, m/z 502.3 for fexofenadine and m/z 530.3 for the internal standard. The limit of quantification achieved with this method was 0.5 ng/ml in plasma and 1.0 ng in 50 microl of urine. The method described was successfully applied to the determination of fexofenadine in human plasma and urine in pharmacokinetic studies.

Absorption and disposition of levocetirizine, the eutomer of cetirizine, administered alone or as cetirizine to healthy volunteers.

The primary objective of the present study was to compare the absorption and disposition of levocetirizine, the eutomer of cetirizine, when administered alone (10 mg) or in presence of the distomer. An additional objective was also to investigate the configurational stability of levocetirizine in vivo in humans. The study was performed in a randomized, two-way cross-over, single-dose design with a wash-out phase of 7 days between the two periods. A total of 12 healthy male and 12 healthy female volunteers were included in the study. Bioequivalence can be concluded from the analysis of the pharmacokinetic parameters of levocetirizine when administered alone or as the racemate cetirizine. No chiral inversion occurs in humans when levocetirizine is administered, i.e. there is no formation of the distomer. When comparing the pharmacokinetic characteristics of levocetirizine and the distomer, the apparent volume of distribution of the eutomer is significantly smaller than that of the distomer (0.41 and 0.60 L/kg, respectively). For an H1-antagonist a small distribution volume can be considered as a positive aspect, both in terms of efficacy and safety. Moreover the non-renal clearance of levocetirizine is also significantly lower than that of the distomer (9.70 and 28.70 mL/min, respectively), which constitutes an additional positive aspect particularly as far as metabolism-based drug interactions are concerned. The information collected in the present study on the pharmacokinetics of levocetirizine and the distomer provide additional reasons for eliminating the distomer and developing levocetirizine as an improvement on cetirizine.

Comparative disposition of tripelennamine in horses and camels after intravenous administration.

The pharmacokinetics of tripelennamine (T) was compared in horses (n = 6) and camels (n = 5) following intravenous (i.v.) administration of a dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight. Furthermore, the metabolism and urinary detection time was studied in camels. The data obtained (median and range in brackets) in camels and horses, respectively, were as follows: the terminal elimination half-lives were 2.39 (1.91-6.54) and 2.08 (1.31-5.65) h, total body clearances were 0.97 (0.82-1.42) and 0.84 (0.64-1.17)L/h/kg. The volumes of distribution at steady state were 2.87 (1.59-6.67) and 1.69 (1.18-3.50) L/kg, the volumes of the central compartment of the two compartment pharmacokinetic model were 1.75 (0.68-2.27) and 1.06 (0.91-2.20) L/kg. There was no significant difference (Mann-Whitney) in any parameter between camels and horses. The extent of protein binding (mean +/- SEM) 73.6 + 8.5 and 83.4 +/- 3.6% for horses and camels, respectively, was not significantly statistically different (t-test). Three metabolites of T were identified in urine samples of camels. The first one resulted from N-depyridination of T, with a molecular ion of m/z 178, and was exclusively eliminated in conjugate form. This metabolite was not detected after 6 h of T administration. The second metabolite, resulted from pyridine ring hydroxylation, had a molecular ion of m/z 271, and was also exclusively eliminated in conjugate form. This metabolite could be detected in urine sample for up to 12 h after T administration. The third metabolite has a suspected molecular ion of m/z 285, was eliminated exclusively in conjugate form and could be detected for up to 24 h following T administration. T itself could be detected for up to 27 h after i.v. administration, with about 90% of eliminated T being in the conjugated form.

Enantioselective determination of cetirizine in human urine by HPLC.

In order to study the simultaneous determination of (+)- and (-)-cetirizine in human urine we have developed a chiral separation method by HPLC. A chiral stationary phase of alpha1-acidglycoprotein, the AGP-CSP, was used to separate the enantiomers. The pH of the phosphate buffer, as well as the content of the organic modifier in the mobile phase, markedly affected the chromatographic separation of (+)- and (-)-cetirizine. A mobile phase of 10 mmol/l phosphate buffer (pH 7.0)-acetonitrile (95: 5, v/v) was used for the urine assays. Ultraviolet absorption was monitored at 230 nm and roxatidine was employed as the internal standard for quantification. (+)-Cetirizine, (-)-cetirizine and the internal standard were eluted at retention times of 12, 16, and 32 mins, respectively. The detection limit for cetirizine enantiomers was 400 ng/ml of urine. A pharmacokinetic study was conducted with the help of 5 healthy female volunteers who were administered with a single oral dose of racemic cetirizine (20 mg). The peak area ratios provided by the cetirizine enantiomers were linear (r>0.997) over a concentration range of 2.5-200 microg/ml. The peak of the excreted cetirizine enantiomers appeared in the urine sample during the period of 1-2 hrs following the administration of the oral dose. The excreted level of (+)-cetirizine was slightly higher than (-)-cetirizine but the difference was not statistically significant. However, this method appears to have applications for enantioselective pharmacokinetic studies of racemic drugs.

Determination of famotidine in human plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography.

An improved, rapid and specific high-performance liquid chromatographic assay was developed for the determination of famotidine in human plasma and urine. Plasma samples were alkalinized and the analyte and internal standard (cimetidine) extracted with water-saturated ethyl acetate. The extracts were reconstituted in mobile phase, and injected onto a C18 reversed-phase column; UV detection was set at 267 nm. Urine samples were diluted with nine volumes of a mobile phase-internal standard mixture prior to injection. The lower limits of quantification in plasma and urine were 75 ng/ml and 1.0 microg/ml, respectively; intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation were < or =10.5%. This method is currently being used to support renal function studies assessing the use of intravenously administered famotidine to characterize cationic tubular secretion in man.

Quantitation of efletirizine in human plasma and urine using automated solid-phase extraction and column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography.

A heart-cut column-switching, ion-pair, reversed-phase HPLC system was used for the quantitation of efletirizine (EFZ) in biological fluids. The analyte and an internal standard (I.S.) were extracted from human EDTA plasma by C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE) using a RapidTrace workstation. The eluent from the SPE was evaporated, reconstituted and injected onto the HPLC column. Urine samples were diluted and injected directly without the need of extraction. The compounds of interest were separated from most of the extraneous matrix materials by the first C18 column, and switched onto a second C18 column for further separation using a mobile phase of stronger eluting capability. Linearity range was 10-2000 ng ml(-1) for plasma and 0.05-10 microg ml(-1) for urine. The lower limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 10 ng from 1 ml of plasma, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 15:1. Inter-day precision and bias of quality control samples (QCs) were <5% for plasma and <7% for urine. Selectivity was established against six other antihistamines, three analogs of efletirizine, and on 12 control plasma lots and nine control urine lots. Recovery was 90.0% for EFZ and 89.5% for I.S. from plasma. One hundred samples can be processed in every 2.75 h on a 10-module RapidTrace workstation with minimal human attention. Method ruggedness were tested on three brands of SPE and six different lots of one SPE brand. Performance ruggedness was demonstrated by different analysts on multiple HPLC systems. Analyte stability through sample storage, extraction process (benchtop, freeze-thaw, refrigeration after extraction) and chromatography (on-system, reinjection) was established.