Gender and pramipexole effects on levodopa pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

The authors studied the pharmacokinetics of levodopa (LD) with and without pramipexole (PPX) in men and postmenopausal women with PD. Patients on stable dose of carbidopa/LD were randomized to receive escalating doses of placebo or PPX over 7 weeks. LD and PPX pharmacokinetics were performed after a single test dose 25/100 of carbidopa/LD, before initiation of PPX or placebo, at 1.5 mg/d and 4.5 mg/d of PPX or placebo. Compared to men, women had greater LD bioavailability. PPX did not alter LD bioavailability, and PPX pharmacokinetics were equivalent in men and women.

Pharmacokinetics of minoxidil in patients with cirrhosis and healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of reduced hepatic function on the pharmacokinetics of minoxidil. The pharmacokinetics of antipyrine, lorazepam, and indocyanine green were included as indicators of hepatic function. METHODS: Eight mild cirrhotics and eight healthy subjects received antipyrine (po), lorazepam (IV), indocyanine green (IV) and minoxidil 5 mg (po). Blood and urine were sampled for up to 72 h after each drug, and drug concentrations were measured by validated HPLC methods. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured for safety. RESULTS: For unchanged minoxidil, the serum elimination rate constant was significantly smaller and mean residence time was significantly longer in cirrhotic patients. Urinary elimination rate constant for minoxidil glucuronide was significantly smaller and fraction of dose excreted in urine was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients. Antipyrine elimination was significantly slower for cirrhotic patients. No differences were observed in lorazepam pharmacokinetic parameters. CONCLUSION: Pharmacokinetic analysis suggests a longer dosage interval may be appropriate in patients with hepatic impairment. In the absence of multiple-dose minoxidil pharmacodynamic studies in this population, minoxidil should be used as in other populations: begin with a modest dose, and adjust the dose based on clinical response.

Pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction study of delavirdine and indinavir in healthy volunteers.

The potential pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction between delavirdine, a nonnucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor, and indinavir, an inhibitor of HIV protease, was evaluated in healthy volunteers. Subjects received a single 800-mg dose of indinavir sulfate on day 1 (baseline). Delavirdine mesylate 400 mg was administered three times daily on days 2 through 10. On day 9, a single 400-mg dose and on day 10 a single 600-mg dose of indinavir were given along with morning doses of delavirdine. Pharmacokinetic evaluations of indinavir were made on days 1, 9, and 10, and of delavirdine on days 8, 9, and 10. Fourteen healthy male volunteers completed the study. Single doses of indinavir had no clinically important effects on the pharmacokinetics of delavirdine. Mean indinavir Cmax values for the 400-mg and 600-mg doses administered concomitantly with delavirdine were dose proportionally lower than that observed following the 800-mg dose administered alone. Mean Tmax values were similar and ranged from 1.0 +/- 0.3/hour for indinavir 800 mg administered alone to 1.3 +/- 0.4/hour for indinavir 600 mg administered with delavirdine. These results indicate that delavirdine had no clinically important effect on the rate of indinavir absorption. In contrast, the mean indinavir AUC0-infinity, value following the 400-mg dose administered with delavirdine was only 14% lower than the baseline value determined for the 800-mg indinavir dose (25,400 +/- 6960 nM hour versus 29,600 +/- 7920 nM hour), and the mean indinavir AUC0-infinity value for the 600-mg indinavir dose administered with delavirdine (42,700 +/- 9800 nM hour) was 44% greater than the baseline value. All differences among mean AUC0-infinity values were statistically significant. Mean indinavir half-life values were slightly longer when indinavir was given in a dose with delavirdine than when indinavir was administered alone. These results suggest that delavirdine inhibits metabolism of indinavir and support the possibility of a reduction in the magnitude or frequency of indinavir dosage when given in combination with delavirdine.

Oral contraceptive effects on methylprednisolone pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

OBJECTIVE: Oral contraceptive (OC) steroids alter the disposition of numerous drugs, including corticosteroids. We investigated the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of methylprednisolone. METHODS: Twelve women (six women used OC steroids and six women did not) received intravenous methylprednisolone (0.6 mg/kg ideal body weight). Methylprednisolone disposition was assessed from plasma concentrations. Pharmacodynamic parameters measured were plasma cortisol, whole blood histamine (reflecting basophils), and blood helper T lymphocytes. RESULTS: Methylprednisolone clearance was significantly decreased in the women who used OC steroids (0.298 versus 0.447 L/hr/kg), resulting in a longer elimination half-life (2.20 versus 1.72 hours). With use of indirect response models, significant differences were observed with the cortisol and basophil responses. A larger value for the concentration that inhibits the zero-order production rate by 50% (0.37 versus 0.11 ng/ml) was observed in the women who used OC steroids for suppression of cortisol secretion, indicating less sensitivity to the suppressive effects of methylprednisolone. Greater net suppression of basophils was observed in the users of OC steroids (area under the response curve, 694 versus 401 ng x hr/ml). No differences were observed for helper T-cell responses. CONCLUSION: OC steroids appear to inhibit methylprednisolone metabolism. However, mixed changes in several responses occur, indicating that women can probably receive similar doses of methylprednisolone irrespective of OC steroid use.

PIP: At the Buffalo General Hospital in New York, researchers randomly assigned 6 healthy, nonobese women, 30-36 years old and using a triphasic oral contraceptive (OC) (Triphasil 28, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories), to either the baseline phase group or the group receiving an intravenous bolus of methylprednisolone sodium succinate at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg ideal body weight during the 2-week period after ovulation (i.e., luteal phase). These women were compared with 6 other women who did not use OCs but did receive the same dose of methylprednisolone. The purpose was to determine whether the adrenosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressive effects of methylprednisolone differ in OC users. OC users experienced slower clearance of methylprednisolone (33% slower) than controls. This slower clearance rate contributed to a longer elimination half-life for methylprednisolone (2.2 vs. 1.72 hours; p 0.05). OC users also had a rate of slower elimination of cortisol than controls (0.180 vs. 0.276 hr-1; p 0.05). They had higher mean cortisol levels than controls (136 vs. 65 ng/ml). Women who used OCs for suppression of cortisol secretion had a larger value for the concentration of cortisol that suppresses the zero-order production rate by 50% (0.37 vs. 0.11 ng/ml; p 0.05), suggesting a decreased sensitivity to the effects of methylprednisolone on cortisol suppression. OC users experienced a greater net suppression of basophils at drug effect than at baseline. Methylprednisolone appeared to have no effect on helper T-cell responses. These findings suggest that OCs inhibit methylprednisolone metabolism. Since there were inconsistent changes in several responses, women can likely receive similar doses of methylprednisolone irrespective of OC use.

Pilot study of the pharmacokinetics of methylprednisolone after single and multiple intravenous doses of methylprednisolone sodium succinate and methylprednisolone suleptanate to healthy volunteers.

The pharmacokinetics of methylprednisolone were evaluated in 29 healthy volunteers after multiple intravenous doses of methylprednisolone sodium succinate or the novel prodrug, methylprednisolone suleptanate. Subjects were assigned randomly to one of four treatment groups (40, 100, 250, or 500 mg) and then randomly assigned to receive either the sodium succinate or suleptanate prodrugs. Doses were administered every 6 hours for 48 hours. Plasma and urine were assayed for methylprednisolone and unchanged prodrug using HPLC methods. Methylprednisolone pharmacokinetics exhibited both a dose and time dependency, which was similar for administration of both prodrugs. After first-dose administration, mean clearance increased from 19.5 L/hr for 40-mg doses to 27.7 L/hr after 500-mg doses of the sodium succinate ester, and from 20.1 to 31.7 L/hr after the suleptanate ester. After multiple dosing, mean clearance values increased from 31.1 to 44.7 L/hr for sodium succinate dosing, and from 31.5 to 46.0 L/hr for suleptanate dosing. Apparent systemic clearance values determined after multiple dosing were 1.5- to 1.8-fold greater than corresponding first-dose values. No dependence on time was apparent for any prodrug pharmacokinetic parameter. These data suggest that the dose dependency of methylprednisolone pharmacokinetics is related to dose-dependent prodrug hydrolysis, whereas the time dependence possibly reflects auto-induction of methylprednisolone metabolism. Based on comparison of methylprednisolone pharmacokinetic parameters derived for each prodrug, methylprednisolone suleptanate resulted in a faster and slightly more efficient conversion to methylprednisolone than methylprednisolone sodium succinate.

Pharmacokinetics of cefpodoxime proxetil in healthy young and elderly volunteers.

The influence of age on the pharmacokinetics of cefpodoxime was evaluated in 12 elderly (ages 65-85 years) and 12 weight- and sex-matched young (ages 20-33 years) subjects, each of whom received two cefpodoxime proxetil 200-mg tablets every 12 hours for 14.5 days. Serial blood samples and urine were collected after the first dose on day 1, after the morning dose on day 8, and after the last (morning) dose on day 15. Plasma and urine samples were assayed for cefpodoxime concentrations using HPLC methods. Within each age group, mean pharmacokinetic parameters determined on day 1 were similar to corresponding values on days 8 and 15, indicating that cefpodoxime does not accumulate after twice-daily dosing of cefpodoxime proxetil. Based on this result, parameters were pooled across days in each age group. No significant differences were observed between healthy and elderly volunteers in area under the plasma concentration-time curve for the 12-hour dosing interval, peak plasma concentration, or time to peak concentration. Mean urinary excretion and renal clearance of cefpodoxime were significantly lower in elderly subjects. Differences in renal clearance were attributed to the corresponding age-related reduction that was noted in creatinine clearance values, whereas the lower urinary excretion of cefpodoxime probably reflected slightly reduced systemic drug absorption in the elderly. Differences in these parameters between groups were less than 30%, and were unlikely to be of clinical importance. The data indicate that dose adjustment of cefpodoxime in elderly subjects having normal (age-adjusted) creatinine clearance values is not required.

Drug and vehicle deposition from topical applications: localization of minoxidil within skin strata of the hairless mouse.

The cutaneous bioavailability of topical 2% minoxidil solution was verified in live hairless mice. Minoxidil and propylene glycol deposition on the skin surface, epidermis and dermis from the single-dose in vivo study were compared with the results from previous in vitro studies. A distinct difference is apparent in the epidermis where the in vitro values are 11-22 times higher than the in vivo values for minoxidil and 8-16 times higher for propylene glycol. The differences were not as great in the dermis. Percutaneous absorption of the drug appeared to be a very small fraction of the applied dose. Similarly shaped stratum corneum and plasma concentration profiles and the relatively constant dermal profiles of minoxidil and propylene glycol open the possibility of transappendageal routes being involved in percutaneous absorption. The greater amount of drug and vehicle found in the dermis from in vitro studies can be explained by the absence of dermal clearance. The overestimation in the amount of drug found in the epidermis in vitro may also be attributable to poor dermal clearance. On the whole, the study raises questions about the use of in vitro tissue dispositions for bioavailability assessment and bioequivalence demonstration.

Influence of application time and formulation reapplication on the delivery of minoxidil through hairless mouse skin as measured in Franz diffusion cells.

Relationships are drawn between the extent of topical delivery of test compounds in solution and the period of residence of their formulation on the skin. The studies were performed using in vitro diffusion cell techniques and a test formulation containing 2% 3H-minoxidil dissolved in 60% ethanol, 20% water and 20% 14C-propylene glycol. The permeation of propylene glycol was effectively halted upon cleansing the skin surface; the skin had very little reservoir capacity for this substance. However, the rate of delivery of minoxidil was only slowed but not stopped upon cleansing. The suggestion here is that a reservoir of minoxidil is formed in the skin which is capable of sustaining an appreciable input of drug even after the skin's surface is scrupulously cleaned. Assay of epidermal concentrations of these species not only confirms the existence of the minoxidil reservoir but also shows that the degree of its tissue concentration is proportional to the time of residence of the formulation on the skin surface. Reapplication of blank vehicle to the cleansed surface had little to no effect on the permeation of the minoxidil and was similarly without effect on that of propylene glycol. While it comes as no surprise that formulation residence time is an important variable in topical delivery, this study demonstrates the complexities of quantitative dependencies of delivery on residence time.

Gender-based effects on methylprednisolone pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

The pharmacokinetics and selected pharmacodynamic responses to methylprednisolone were investigated in six men and six premenopausal women after a dose of 0.6 mg/kg ideal body weight. Women (luteal phase) exhibited a greater methylprednisolone clearance (0.45 versus 0.29 L/hr/kg) and shorter elimination half-life (1.7 versus 2.6 hours) than men. The volume of distribution of methylprednisolone was similar when normalized for ideal body weight. Pharmacodynamic models were used to examine the methylprednisolone suppressive effects on cortisol secretion and basophil and helper T lymphocyte trafficking. A significantly smaller 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value (0.1 versus 1.7 ng/ml) was seen in the women for suppression of cortisol secretion, indicating increased sensitivity. However, the area under the concentration-time curve of effect was similar for both groups. The IC50 values for effects of methylprednisolone on basophil trafficking related to estradiol concentrations in a log-linear fashion in women, with increased sensitivity found at higher estradiol concentrations. Men displayed a greater 24-hour net suppression in blood basophil numbers, but no difference was observed in net cortisol and helper T lymphocyte suppression between the sexes. These findings suggest that methylprednisolone dosages should be based on ideal body weight. Although women are more sensitive to methylprednisolone as measured by cortisol suppression, they eliminate the drug more quickly, generally producing a similar net response.

The pharmacokinetics and haemodynamic effects of continuous nicorandil infusion in healthy volunteers.

We have studied the pharmacokinetics and haemodynamic effects of nicorandil after a 12-h infusion. Nicorandil is a mixed vasodilator combining the actions of a nitrate and a potassium channel opener. Nicorandil was infused for 12 h in 21 healthy volunteers at rates of 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20 microgram.kg-1.min-1 using a placebo controlled, crossover design. Systemic blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiographic (ECG) intervals, and cardiac output (impedance cardiography) were measured supine and standing. Dose-related, steady-state plasma nicorandil concentrations occurred within 3 to 4 h. Nicorandil's pharmacokinetics were linear with dose. Four 0.20 microgram.kg-1.min-1 nicorandil infusions were terminated early primarily because of moderate or severe headaches. There were no safety concerns (ECG intervals, laboratory assays). Blood pressure fell versus placebo only in the standing position and heart rate increased slightly (not significant). That is, standing blood pressure in the 6 to 12 h interval fell from baseline 8.0*/6.8, 1.6/5.1, and 9.8*/7.9* mmHg (systolic/diastolic, * = P < 0.05 versus placebo) at 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 respectively. Cardiac output increased slightly above placebo at lower doses. Haemodynamic changes correlated poorly with plasma nicorandil concentrations. Similar total doses were less well-tolerated when extended over 12 h. We saw no evidence of pharmacodynamic tolerance to nicorandil within 12 h.

The haemodynamic effects and pharmacokinetics of intravenous nicorandil in healthy volunteers.

We have studied the effects of intravenous nicorandil, a mixed arterial and venous vasodilator, in 48 healthy volunteers. Nicorandil (20, 28, 39, 54, 74, 103, 144, or 200 micrograms.kg-1) or placebo were given over 5 min to subjects supine (16 subjects, 2 doses) or sitting (32 subjects, 1 dose) in a single-blind crossover design. Electrocardiographic intervals, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured before and for 8 h after dosing. Blood and urine safety laboratory studies were also performed before and after dosing. All intravenous infusions of nicorandil and placebo were well tolerated and there were no clinically important safety concerns. The most frequent adverse event after nicorandil was headache (24 events by 19 subjects), although its occurrence was not strictly dose related. One subject experienced transient symptomatic hypotension (144 micrograms.kg-1). Mean plasma nicorandil concentrations were dose-related and fell with a half-life of 0.7 to 1.2 h. Systemic clearance and volume of distribution tended to decrease as dose increased. Sitting subjects showed marginally lower (< 20%) systemic clearances and larger values of Cmax and AUC. Nicorandil produced dose-related reductions in blood pressure, with consistent statistically significant differences from placebo after the 144 and 200 micrograms.kg-1 doses. The falls in blood pressure were greater for diastolic pressure and in this supine position. At 200 micrograms.kg-1, the mean falls in systolic/diastolic pressures (mm Hg) during the first hour were 10.9/14.7 supine and 6.1/9.1 sitting; systolic pressure returned to baseline after 8 h and diastolic pressure after 4 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Drug and vehicle deposition from topical applications: use of in vitro mass balance technique with minoxidil solutions.

The disposition of minoxidil and propylene glycol from topical solutions was measured by using an in vitro mass balance technique. The experimental approach included assessment of the following compartments of the skin and the diffusion cell as a function of time: (1) donor compartment; (2) hairless mouse skin surface, epidermis, and dermis; and (3) receiver compartment. Excellent mass balance was achieved for minoxidil at three doses. However, the recovery of propylene glycol depended on both application volume and time. The experiment involving the evaporation of propylene glycol and water from the propylene glycol:ethanol:water (20:60:20, v/v) mixture, which was placed in the well of a tissue culture plate at room temperature and 37 degrees C, substantiated the loss of vehicles to the air. When a thin application of 20 microL/cm2 was used, 60% of the propylene glycol was unaccounted for after 16 h. The evaporation of propylene glycol concentrated the solution to supersaturation, precipitated out the drug, and then stabilized the thermodynamic activity of the drug in the vehicle. The amount of formulation applied influences the rate of concentration and, thus, the time at which minoxidil precipitates. The precipitation limits the amount of minoxidil that can be absorbed and leads to poor percutaneous absorption of drug from the formulation.

Absorption of flurbiprofen through human buccal mucosa.

The absorption of flurbiprofen through human buccal mucosa was studied after 25 mL of a 2.5-mg/mL solution (pH 4) of the drug in a cosolvent mixture (ethanol 95%:glycerin:propylene glycol:0.3 M sodium acetate buffer, 10:40:30:20) was held and circulated in the mouth for 5 min in a "buccal absorption test." The results were compared with those obtained after oral administration of 25 mL of a solution (pH 7) of sodium flurbiprofen having the same concentration. Twelve subjects participated in the crossover study. After the buccal treatment, mean Cmax and Tmax values were 0.751 micrograms/mL and 41 min, respectively. Average Cmax and Tmax values after the oral treatment were 10.8 micrograms/mL and 32 min, respectively. Mean dose-corrected AUCs were 0.0854 and 0.811 (micrograms.h/mL)/mg for the buccal and the oral treatments, respectively. The absorption kinetics after the buccal treatment were evaluated using the Exact Loo-Riegelman Method (ELRM). Buccal plasma flurbiprofen concentration-time data for 11 subjects were very well fitted by reconstructed curves using ka and the lag-time obtained from ELRM analysis of the buccal data and the disposition parameters obtained from the oral data. These results strongly support the concept of intrasubject constancy of flurbiprofen disposition parameters. Analysis, by ELRM, of the plasma concentration-time data obtained after the buccal treatment indicated first-order absorption, with a mean ka value of 3.9 +/- 2.2 h-1. This value was significantly different (0.05 greater than p greater than 0.02) from the ka after oral treatment (7.89 +/- 5.2 h-1), obtained from the triexponential fitting of the oral plasma data.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Relationship between contact time of applied dose and percutaneous absorption of minoxidil from a topical solution.

Twenty-two healthy male volunteers completed a four-way, multiple-dose, randomized crossover study to determine the relationship between contact time of applied drug on the scalp and minoxidil absorption from a 2% topical solution. One milliliter of solution was applied twice daily over 150 cm2 of bald scalp to each subject for 6 days. Unabsorbed drug was washed off the scalp after 1, 2, 4, and 11.5 h of contact time in each of four treatments. Cumulative urinary excretion profiles within steady-state, 12-h dosing intervals were well described by straight lines for all treatments, indicating that systemic minoxidil elimination was rate controlled by constant, zero-order percutaneous drug absorption. The extent of minoxidil absorption, expressed as steady-state urinary excretion of unchanged minoxidil, minoxidil glucuronide, or the sum of these, increased in a disproportionate manner with increase in contact time of drug on the scalp. Relative to the amount absorbed after a contact time of 11.5 h, absorption was approximately 50% complete by 1 h and greater than 75% complete by 4 h. This suggests that minoxidil absorption from the vehicle into skin occurs rapidly relative to diffusion through skin. The rate of minoxidil absorption from vehicle into skin was characterized as nonlinear, whereas minoxidil excretion into urine was rate controlled by diffusion from one or more components of the skin which apparently serve as a reservoir, or depot, for minoxidil.

Multiple-dose propranolol administration does not influence the single dose pharmacokinetics of quinapril and its active metabolite (quinaprilat).

To evaluate the influence of multiple dose propranolol administration on the single dose pharmacokinetics of quinapril and its active metabolite, quinaprilat, a drug-drug interaction study was performed in ten healthy volunteers. Each subject received a single 20 mg quinapril oral dose on Days 1 and 16 of the study. Oral propranolol doses of 40 mg BID were initiated on Day 3, titrated gradually to 80 mg TID by Day 10, and continued at 80 mg TID through Day 17. Comparable mean quinapril pharmacokinetic parameter values as well as comparable mean quinaprilat pharmacokinetic parameter values determined following quinapril administered alone and following quinapril administered with propranolol, indicate that propranolol does not alter the single dose pharmacokinetics of quinapril or quinaprilat.

Influence of tretinoin on the percutaneous absorption of minoxidil from an aqueous topical solution.

Nineteen healthy male volunteers completed a three-way, randomized, crossover study to determine the effect of the synthetic retinoid, tretinoin, on percutaneous absorption of minoxidil. Subjects received, for 20 days, twice-daily administrations of 1 ml of an aqueous 2% topical minoxidil solution either alone, with once-daily applications of a 0.05% tretinoin cream, or with once-daily applications of a vehicle control cream. When minoxidil was coadministered with tretinoin cream, minoxidil absorption was increased nearly threefold, compared with a 1.3-fold increase in absorption observed with coadministration of vehicle control cream. Transepidermal water loss measurements, which are sensitive to changes in stratum corneum function, were also significantly increased with tretinoin. No treatment-related changes in stratum corneum thickness were observed on the basis of skin biopsy analysis. The findings indicate that percutaneous minoxidil absorption is enhanced by tretinoin as a result of increased stratum corneum permeability.

Co-infection with Legionella pneumophila and Pneumocystis carinii in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

A patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia was found to have pneumonitis caused by a simultaneous Pneumocystis carinii and Legionella pneumophila infection. Although both microorganisms frequently cause pulmonary infections in immunocompromised patients, co-infection has not been reported. This patient responded to antimicrobial therapy, but superinfection with Candida albicans led to his death. As there are numerous infective and noninfective causes of pneumonia in such patients, this case illustrates that the identification of a single etiologic agent does not obviate the search for other potential causes.

The non-linear pharmacokinetics of prednisone and prednisolone. III. Experiments using the rabbit as an animal model.

Intravenous zero order infusions were administered to New Zealand white rabbits. In a pilot study using one rabbit, prednisone and prednisolone clearance values increased with increase in either prednisone or prednisolone infusion rates. In the second study, prednisone was infused until both prednisone and prednisolone achieved steady-state concentrations. In the third study, prednisone was infused until only prednisone achieved steady-state concentrations. The results of the three experiments support the use of a non-linear reversible metabolism model to describe the pharmacokinetic relationship between prednisone and prednisolone.