The effect of the REG2 Anticoagulation System on thrombin generation kinetics: a pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic first-in-human study.

The REG2 Anticoagulation System consists of pegnivacogin, a subcutaneously administered aptamer factor IXa inhibitor, and its intravenous active control agent, anivamersen. Its effect on thrombin generation is unknown. A prospectively designed thrombin generation study was conducted within the phase 1 ascending dose study of REG2 to assess the effect of REG2 on thrombin generation kinetics. A total of 32 healthy volunteers were recruited into four cohorts of ascending dose pegnivacogin for the phase 1 study. In this pre-specified substudy, blood samples were drawn in the presence or absence of corn trypsin inhibitor at specified times within each dosing cohort. Thrombin generation was initiated with tissue factor and thrombin generation kinetics were measured using the Calibrated Automated Thrombogram (CAT). REG2 attenuated thrombin generation in a dose-dependent manner. All parameters of the CAT assay, except for lag time, showed a dose and concentration-dependent response to pegnivacogin [time to peak thrombin generation (PTm), endogenous thrombin potential, peak thrombin generation, and velocity index (VIx)]. Reversal of the effect of pegnivacogin with anivamersen demonstrated restoration of thrombin generation without rebound effect. This first-in-human study of the effect of the REG2 Anticoagulation System on thrombin generation demonstrates concentration-dependent suppression of thrombin generation that is reversible without rebound effect, as measured by the CAT assay.

A phase 1 ascending dose study of a subcutaneously administered factor IXa inhibitor and its active control agent.

BACKGROUND: The REG2 anticoagulation system consists of pegnivacogin, a subcutaneously administered aptamer factor IXa inhibitor, and its intravenous control agent, anivamersen. OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic responses of REG2. PATIENTS/METHODS: In this phase 1a study, 36 healthy volunteers were enrolled into five cohorts and given one dose of pegnivacogin. Cohorts 1 (n = 6) and 1A (n = 4) received 0.5 mg kg(-1); cohort 2 (n = 6) received 1.0 mg kg(-1); cohort 3 (n = 6) received 3.0 mg kg(-1); and cohort 4 (n = 8) received 2.0 mg kg(-1) . In cohorts 1-3, two subjects were randomized to placebo. Cohort 4 subjects were subsequently randomized to single-dose (n = 4) or multidose (n = 4) anivamersen. RESULTS: The mean maximum observed concentrations of pegnivacogin in cohorts 1, 1A, 2 and 3 at median time were 5.16 µg mL(-1) at 84 h, 5.19 µg mL(-1) at 72 h, 9.32 µg mL(-1) at 90 h, and 32.5 µg mL(-1) at 84 h, respectively. The maximum relative activated partial thromboplastin time and time needed to achieve this were 1.18 at 2 days, 1.16 at 2 days, 1.27 at 3 days, and 1.85 at 2 days, respectively. The calculated mean half-life and mean residence times of pegnivacogin were 6.12 days and 9.6 days, respectively. There was rapid reversal with intravenous anivamersen, although subsequent reaccumulation of pegnivacogin was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In our first-in-human study, REG2 was well tolerated and provided dose-proportional anticoagulation for several days after a single subcutaneous dose, with complete, although transient, reversal by its control agent. This study demonstrates the first application of a subcutaneously administered aptamer, and represents a potential advance in aptamer therapeutics.

Dose selection for a direct and selective factor IXa inhibitor and its complementary reversal agent: translating pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the REG1 system to clinical trial design.

We performed detailed pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling of REG1, an anticoagulation system composed of the direct factor IXa (FIXa) inhibitor pegnivacogin (RB006) and its matched active control agent anivamersen (RB007), with a focus on level of target inhibition to translate phase 1 results to phase 2 dose selection. We modeled early-phase clinical data relating weight-adjusted pegnivacogin dose and plasma concentration to prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Using an in vitro calibration curve, percent FIXa inhibition was determined and related to aPTT prolongation and pegnivacogin dose and concentration. Similar methods were applied to relate anivamersen dose and level of reversal of pegnivacogin anticoagulation. Combined early-phase data suggested that ≥0.75 mg/kg pegnivacogin was associated with >99% inhibition of FIX activity and prolongation of plasma aPTT values ≈2.5 times above baseline, leading to selection of a 1 mg/kg dose for a phase 2a elective percutaneous coronary intervention study to achieve a high intensity of anticoagulation and minimize intersubject variability. Phase 2 validated our predictions, demonstrating 1 mg/kg pegnivacogin yielded plasma concentrations ≈25 µg/ml and >99% inhibition of FIX activity. The relationship between the anivamersen to pegnivacogin dose ratio and degree of pegnivacogin reversal was also validated. Our approach decreased the need for extensive dose-response studies, reducing the duration, complexity and cost of clinical development. The 1 mg/kg pegnivacogin dose and a range of anivamersen dose ratios are being tested in the phase 2b RADAR study (NCT00932100).

Pharmacokinetics of RheothRx injection in healthy male volunteers.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the safety and tolerability of RheothRx (poloxamer 188) injection administered as an intravenous (i.v.) infusion to healthy male volunteers and to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of poloxamer 188. Thirty-six healthy male volunteers were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation trial for RheothRx injection. The volunteers were randomized to three treatment groups (12 per treatment group, with eight receiving active therapy and four receiving placebo). In each treatment group, volunteers received RheothRx injection or placebo as an i.v. infusion on two occasions at least 3 weeks apart to make a total of six doses being studied (10, 30, and 45 mg/kg/h for 72 h, 60 mg/kg/h for 43.3 to 72 h, 60 and 90 mg/kg/h for 24 h). Serial plasma samples were collected during and up to 36 h after the end of the infusions; urine was collected over intervals from the start of the infusion until 36 h after the infusions were terminated. Plasma and urine samples were assayed for poloxamer 188 by gel-permeation chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameter values were calculated by noncompartmental and compartmental methods. Poloxamer 188 was eliminated primarily by renal excretion. Estimates of clearance, elimination rate constant, and apparent volume of distribution at steady state values were independent of infusion rate. Poloxamer 188 displayed no apparent infusion rate dependence in its pharmacokinetics.

The pharmacokinetics of 1954U89, 1,3-diamino-7-(1-ethylpropyl)-8-methyl-7H-pyrrolo-(3,2-f)quinazoline, in dogs and rats after intravenous and oral administration.

1954U89, 1,3-diamino-7-(1-ethylpropyl)-8-methyl-7H-pyrrolo-(3, 2-f)quinazoline, is a potent, lipid-soluble inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase. The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of 1954U89 were examined in male beagle dogs and male CD rats. Dogs received single intravenous (2.5 mg kg-1) and oral (5.0 mg kg-1) doses of 1954U89 with and without successive administration of calcium leucovorin. Single intravenous (5.0 mg kg-1) and oral (10 mg kg-1) doses of [1,3-14C2]1954U89 were administered to rats. Plasma concentrations of total radiocarbon were determined by scintillation counting, and intact 1954U89 was measured by HPLC. The mean plasma half-life was 3.2 +/- 0.62 and 4.2 +/- 0.68 h after intravenous and oral administration, respectively, to dogs. The pooled plasma half-life after intravenous administration to rats averaged 1.2 h; a reliable plasma half-life value after oral administration could not be determined. Mean total-body clearance was 2.4 +/- 0.39 and 4.5 +/- 1.1 L h-1 kg-1 after intravenous and oral administration, respectively, to dogs, and averaged 12 and 77 L h-1 kg-1 after intravenous and oral administration, respectively, to rats. Neither clearance nor bioavailability of 1954U89 in dogs was affected significantly by administration of calcium leucovorin. Absolute bioavailability was 54 +/- 12% in dogs and 16% in rats.

Importance of the organ-independent elimination of cisatracurium.

Cisatracurium, one of 10 isomers of atracurium, undergoes pH and temperature-dependent Hofmann elimination in plasma and tissues. The clearance of cisatracurium due to Hofmann elimination and organ elimination was estimated by applying a nontraditional two-compartment pharmacokinetic model with elimination occurring from both compartments to plasma cisatracurium concentration-time data from 31 healthy adult surgical patients with normal renal and hepatic function. The elimination rate constant from the central compartment, intercompartmental rate constants, and the volume of the central compartment were obtained from the model fit. The elimination rate constant from the peripheral compartment could not be independently estimated in vivo and was therefore fixed to the rate of degradation of cisatracurium in human plasma (pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C) and held constant in the model. Total body clearance, Hofmann clearance, organ clearance, and the volume of distribution at steady-state were derived from the model parameter estimates. Renal clearance was calculated from cisatracurium urinary excretion data from 12 of the 31 patients. Clearance values (mean +/- SD) were 5.20 +/- 0.86, 4.00 +/- 1.04, 1.20 +/- 0.71, and 0.85 +/- 0.32 mL.min-1.kg-1 for total body clearance, Hofmann clearance, organ clearance, and renal clearance, respectively. Hofmann clearance accounted for 77% of total body clearance. Organ clearance was 23% of total body clearance. Renal clearance, a component of organ clearance, was 16% of total body clearance. The organ-independent nature of the elimination of cisatracurium was characterized by a relationship between steady-state volume of distribution and total body clearance. The half-life is an independent variable and is not dependent on the total body clearance nor the steady-state volume of distribution. Hofmann elimination is the predominant pathway for cisatracurium elimination in humans.

Bidirectional interaction of valproate and lamotrigine in healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the steady-state pharmacokinetics of lamotrigine and valproate at three dosing levels of lamotrigine in normal volunteers receiving steady-state therapeutic doses of valproate. METHODS: This was an open-label, randomized, three-way crossover study of 18 normal male volunteers. Subjects received oral valproate (500 mg Depakote twice a day) throughout the study. Each subject subsequently received three oral dosage regimens of lamotrigine (50, 100, or 150 mg/day) for 1 week each, with a 2-week washout period between lamotrigine treatment periods. Valproate and lamotrigine trough plasma samples were determined by a capillary gas chromatography method and immunofluorometric assay, respectively. Urine samples were assayed for 11 valproate metabolites by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. RESULTS: When compared to other studies in which lamotrigine was administered with no concurrent antiepileptic drug, concomitant valproate markedly increased the half-life of lamotrigine and decreased lamotrigine clearance, without substantial alteration in the linear kinetics of the drug. The addition of lamotrigine was associated with a small but significant 25% decrease in steady-state valproate plasma concentration. Oral clearance of valproate was increased (from 7.2 +/- 1.1 ml/hr/kg before lamotrigine treatment to 9.0 +/- 2.0 ml/hr/kg on day 28; p < 0.05). The formation clearance of the hepatotoxic valproate metabolites, 2-n-propyl-4-pentenoic acid (4-ene-valproate) and 2-propyl-2,4-pentadienoic acid [2(E),4-diene-valproate], was unaffected by lamotrigine administration. CONCLUSIONS: As a consequence of the interaction between lamotrigine and sodium valproate, a dosage reduction of lamotrigine should be considered in patients taking a combination of valproate and lamotrigine.

The effects of food and divided dosing on the bioavailability of oral vinorelbine.

The effects of food and divided dosing on the bioavailability of a liquid-filled gelatin capsule formulation of vinorelbine (Navelbine), a semisynthetic vinca alkaloid with broad clinical activity, was evaluated in patients with advanced solid tumors. A group of 13 patients were randomized to treatment with the oral formulation at the recommended phase II dose of 80 mg/m2 per week either in the fasting state or after ingestion of a standard meal. Patients were treated 1 week later in the alternate state relative to their first dose. The effects of divided dosing were assessed during the 3rd week, at which time vinorelbine was administered in two divided doses. After the completion of pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies, patients received the oral formulation at a dose of 80 mg/m2 per week in two divided doses to evaluate the feasibility of chronic oral drug administration. Both manipulations resulted in small, albeit statistically significant, reductions in the relative bioavailability of this oral formulation. The relative bioavailability decreased by 22 +/- 28% when treatment followed the ingestion of a standard meal, possibly due to a delay in gastrointestinal transit time. The mean time of maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) increased from 1.3 +/- 1.6 h in the fasting state to 2.5 +/- 1.6 h in the fed state, although this difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, the relative bioavailability declined by 16 +/- 51% when vinorelbine was administered in two divided doses. An analysis of dose proportionality revealed disproportionate increases in dose-normalized Cmax and AUC values with single oral doses above 120 mg, which may account for this phenomenon. The high clearance of vinorelbine, which approaches hepatic blood flow, and the lack of dose proportionality after oral administration, indicate that there is a large first-pass effect which may be saturable, or nonlinear, above single doses of 120 mg. In addition, the toxicological and pharmacological characteristics of oral vinorelbine indicate that treatment after a standard meal or on a divided dosing schedule is safe. Chronic oral administration of the agent in two divided doses was also well tolerated. However, the small reduction in the relative bioavailability following the ingestion of a standard meal and with divided dosing suggest the need for further pharmacodynamic studies to determine if reductions in drug exposure of this magnitude may portend diminished antitumor activity.

The clinical pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine (Navelbine).

Vinorelbine (Navelbine; Burroughs Wellcome Co, Research Triangle Park, NC; Pierre Fabre Médicament, Paris, France) is a semisynthetic vinca alkaloid agent that has been structurally modified on the catharanthine nucleus to impart increased lipophilicity. As a result, vinorelbine appears to possess a higher therapeutic index and different pharmacokinetic properties from other marketed vinca alkaloids. Vinorelbine has been quantified in biologic matrices by measurement of total radioactivity, radioimmunoassay, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Because it is specific for the parent drug, high-performance liquid chromatography has generated the most reliable pharmacokinetic data. Vinorelbine is highly bound to platelets and lymphocytes, and is also bound to alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, albumin, and lipoproteins. The drug undergoes significant metabolism and elimination via the liver and metabolites are excreted primarily in the bile. Two likely vinorelbine metabolites, vinorelbine N-oxide and deacetylvinorelbine, have been isolated and identified in human urine and very low concentrations appeared in plasma. Urinary excretion of unchanged drug accounts for less than 20% of an intravenous dose, with fecal elimination accounting for an additional 30% to 60%. The pharmacokinetic profile of vinorelbine after intravenous bolus or infusion is characterized by triexponential decay. Initial rapid decay is due primarily to distribution into tissues in the peripheral compartments. There is a prolonged terminal phase due to relatively slow efflux of the drug from peripheral compartments, which results in a long terminal phase half-life, with average values ranging from 27.7 to 43.6 hours. Plasma clearance of vinorelbine is high, approaching hepatic blood flow in humans, and its volume of distribution is large, indicating extensive extravascular distribution. In comparison to vinblastine or vincristine, vinorelbine has a higher clearance and a larger volume of distribution than either drug, and a half-life shorter than vinblastine but longer than vincristine. There is no relationship between the age of the patient and the pharmacokinetic parameters of vinorelbine, and coadministration of cisplatin does not appear to influence the pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine. Vinorelbine is the first vinca alkaloid to show promising efficacy following oral administration, and this has led to the development of a liquid-filled, soft-gelatin capsule dosage form. The absolute bioavailability of vinorelbine from this dosage form was 27% when intravenous doses of 30 mg/m2 were compared with oral doses of 100 mg/m2.

Pharmacokinetic, bioavailability, and feasibility study of oral vinorelbine in patients with solid tumors.

PURPOSE: The feasibility of administering vinorelbine (Navelbine, Burroughs Wellcome Co, Research Triangle Park, NC), a semisynthetic vinca alkaloid with broad activity, as a liquid-filled gelatin capsule was evaluated in a bioavailability (F) and pharmacokinetic study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Each of 17 cancer patients had pharmacokinetic studies performed after receiving vinorelbine 30 mg/m2 intravenously (IV), which is the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) for weekly IV administration, and twice after receiving the oral formulation at a nominal dose of 100 mg/m2. Subsequently, these patients and 10 other subjects received the oral formulation at a dose of 100 mg/m2/wk to evaluate the feasibility of chronic oral administration. RESULTS: Plasma drug disposition was well described by a triphasic model. Mean central volume of distribution and steady-state volume of distribution (Vss) were large (0.66 +/- 0.46 L/kg and 20.02 +/- 8.55 L/kg, respectively); the mean harmonic terminal half-life (t1/2) was long (18 hours); and the high mean clearance (CI) rate (0.80 +/- 0.68 L/h/kg) approached hepatic blood flow. F was low (0.27 +/- 12), and absorption was rapid (mean time of maximum plasma concentration [Tmax], 0.91 +/- 0.22 hours). Absorption parameters after the first and second oral doses were similar, with mean F values of 0.27 +/- 0.14 and 0.25 +/- 0.11, respectively. Coefficients of variability (CVs) for F, maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), and Tmax were 32%, 42%, and 78%, respectively, indicating moderate intraindividual variability. The pharmacologic profile of this oral formulation indicates that there is a large first-pass effect. Neutropenia was the principal toxicity of oral vinorelbine. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occurred in 63% of patients, but only 11% developed neutropenia and infection. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea were also common with oral administration, but these effects were rarely severe and could be ameliorated by using a divided-dose schedule and/or prophylactic antiemetic and antidiarrheal agents. The mean nominal oral dose was 82 mg/m2, and the mean percentage of intended dose that was received was 92%. Although dose escalations were permitted for negligible toxicity, doses were not escalated to greater than 100 mg/m2/wk in any patient. Vinorelbine given as a liquid-filled gelatin capsule at 100 mg/m2 provided equivalent pharmacologic exposure as 30 mg/m2 IV. CONCLUSION: The oral administration of vinorelbine, specifically as a liquid-filled, soft gelatin capsule, is a feasible route of administration. Weekly oral dosing at 100 mg/m2 induces a consistent degree of myelosuppression, but the high frequency of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, albeit brief and uncomplicated, warrants the recommendation of a slightly lower starting dose, ie, 80 mg/m2/d, for subsequent phase II evaluations, especially in heavily pretreated patients.

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the stereoisomers of mivacurium in patients receiving nitrous oxide/opioid/barbiturate anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Mivacurium consists of a mixture of three stereoisomers: cis-trans (34-40%), trans-trans (52-60%), and cis-cis (4-8%). These isomers differ in potency (the trans-trans and the cis-trans isomers are equipotent and the cis-cis isomer is 1/13th as potent a neuromuscular blocking agent) and in rates of in vitro hydrolysis (in vitro half-lives are less than 2 min for the cis-trans and trans-trans isomers and 276 min for the cis-cis isomer). The current study was undertaken to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of the individual stereoisomers of mivacurium, to evaluate the dose-proportionality of the more potent trans-trans and cis-trans isomers, and to evaluate the pharmacodynamics of mivacurium in healthy adult patients receiving a consecutive two-step infusion of mivacurium. METHODS: Eighteen ASA physical status 1 or 2 adult male patients undergoing elective surgery under nitrous oxide/oxygen/fentanyl anesthesia were studied. Neuromuscular function was monitored using a mechanomyograph at a frequency of 0.15 Hz. An infusion of mivacurium was begun at 5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1. Sixty minutes later, the infusion rate was doubled to 10 micrograms.kg-1.min-1, and, 60 min after that, the infusion was discontinued. All patients were allowed to recover spontaneously from mivacurium-induced neuromuscular block. Venous blood samples were drawn for the determination of the plasma concentrations of each isomer of mivacurium by a stereospecific high performance liquid chromatographic method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using noncompartmental analysis. RESULTS: During the 5-micrograms.kg-1.min-1 infusion, patients developed 83.2 +/- 13.6% neuromuscular block. Increasing the infusion to 10 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 increased the depth of block to 99.0 +/- 2.0%. After discontinuation of the infusion, patients returned to 25% of their baseline muscle strength in 9.3 +/- 3.7 min and had 25-75% and 5-95% recovery indexes of 7.2 +/- 1.8 and 16.8 +/- 3.7 min, respectively. The volumes of distribution (V beta) of the cis-trans, trans-trans, and cis-cis isomers were 0.29 +/- 0.24, 0.15 +/- 0.05, and 0.34 +/- 0.08 l/kg, respectively. During the 5-micrograms.kg-1.min-1 infusion, the steady-state clearances of the potent cis-trans and trans-trans isomers were 106 +/- 67 and 63 +/- 34 ml.min-1.kg-1, respectively; the clearance of the less potent cis-cis isomer was 4.6 +/- 1.1 ml.min-1.kg-1. The elimination half-lives of the cis-trans and trans-trans isomers were 1.8 +/- 1.1 and 1.9 +/- 0.7 min, respectively, and that of the cis-cis isomer was 52.9 +/- 19.8 min. Clearance of the cis-trans and trans-trans isomers did not vary with infusion rate. CONCLUSIONS: The short elimination half-lives and high metabolic clearances of the potent cis-trans and trans-trans isomers are consistent with the short duration of action of mivacurium. The cis-cis isomer does not appear to produce significant neuromuscular block as evident by the return of twitch height to baseline despite persistent cis-cis isomer concentrations.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of lamotrigine (Lamictal) in patients with epilepsy.

In a double-blind parallel study, patients with epilepsy on stable regimen of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were given lamotrigine (8 pts) or placebo (3 pts). Patients were sequentially dosed with 100, 200 and 300 mg/day given as a b.i.d. regimen. After steady state was achieved, timed plasma lamotrigine levels were obtained post dose. No medical, psychogenic, neurologic, or hematologic changes were observed and no subjective effects were detected as a result of treatment with lamotrigine. No changes in heart rhythm or blood pressure were observed related to lamotrigine. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using 1-compartment and non-compartment models. The results were similar using both models. Area under the plasma concentration vs. time curves increased linearly with dose. Mean half life (13.5 h), volume of distribution (1.36 l/kg) and clearance (1.27 ml/min/kg) were similar to previously reported results and did not change with increasing dose. These findings indicate that lamotrigine pharmacokinetics can be described by the 1-compartment model, has linear kinetics, and does not induce its own metabolism in patients on concomitant AEDs.

Crisnatol mesylate: phase I dose escalation by extending infusion duration.

Crisnatol mesylate is a rationally designed cytotoxic arylmethylamino-propanediol with broad spectrum cytotoxic activity. A phase I study with an unconventional escalation scheme was developed using a constant drug infusion rate (mg/m2/hr) and prolonging the infusion duration from 6 to 96 hours. Sixty-five patients received crisnatol at doses from 18 mg/m2 in 6 hrs to 3400 mg/m2 in 72 hours. The dose-limiting toxicity in two of five patients at 2700 mg/m2 and two of three patients at 3400 mg/m2 was neurologic and consisted of a syndrome of confusion, agitation, and disorientation. Phlebitis mandated the use of a central line. The mean terminal phase half-life (T1/2 beta) was 3.3 hours with a total body clearance (CL) of 22.8 L/hr/m2 and a volume of distribution (Vdss) of 53 L/m2. The median steady-state peak plasma concentration (Css) at 2700 mg/m2/72 hours was 2.7 micrograms/ml and at 3400 mg/m2/72 hours was 3.8 micrograms/ml. No responses were seen. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) on this schedule is 2700 mg/m2/72 hours in patients with no liver disease and good performance status.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of doxacurium in young and elderly patients during isoflurane anesthesia.

Preliminary disposition studies of the investigational, long-acting muscle relaxant doxacurium chloride (Nuromax) have demonstrated dual elimination by renal and hepatobiliary pathways, as well as slow hydrolysis by plasma cholinesterase. The present study compares the kinetics and dynamics of doxacurium in eight ASA physical status I or II elderly patients (67-72 yr of age) and eight ASA I or II young patients (22-49 yr of age). After institutionally approved written informed consent, kinetic and dynamic measurements were made after a 25-micrograms/kg bolus injection of doxacurium during 1.25 MAC nitrous oxide/oxygen/isoflurane anesthesia. Maximum twitch depression was similar in older patients (96.4% +/- 1.3%) to that in the young patients (96.6% +/- 1.8%). The time to achieve this level of block was significantly longer in the elderly than in the young (11.2 +/- 1.1 min versus 7.7 +/- 1.0 min, respectively). Recovery times to twitch heights of 5% and 25% of control tended to be prolonged and were more variable in the elderly (82.6 +/- 17.2 and 97.1 +/- 20.1 min, respectively) than in the young (54.8 +/- 9 and 67.5 +/- 8.2 min, respectively). Elimination half-life (96 +/- 20 min) and clearance (2.47 +/- 0.69 mL.kg-1.min-1) in the elderly patients were not statistically different from values found in the younger group. Volume of distribution at steady state in the elderly (220 +/- 80.2 mL/kg) was significantly larger than in the young (150 +/- 40.0 mL/kg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacokinetics of oral and transdermal triprolidine.

In this open, nonrandomized, three-way crossover study, six healthy male volunteers received single doses of triprolidine (TPL) hydrochloride syrup orally (2.5 mg) and wore transdermal TPL patches (5 mg and 10 mg doses) to compare the pharmacokinetic profiles and dose tolerance of the two formulations. A washout period of at least 1 week was scheduled between the three dosing periods. Blood samples were collected at defined times, and plasma concentrations were determined using a radioimmunoassay. Maximum plasma drug concentration (Cmax) decreased from 5.6 +/- 2.9 ng/mL (mean +/- SD) with oral dosing to 2.0 +/- 1.0 ng/mL and 4.2 +/- 2.0 ng/mL following 5 mg and 10 mg transdermal doses, respectively. Time to reach peak concentration (tmax) increased from 2.0 +/- 1.2 hours with oral dosing to 12.0 +/- 5.9 and 14.3 +/- 9.9 hours following 5 mg and 10 mg transdermal doses, respectively. The differences between AUC0-alpha values with the oral syrup and the 5 mg and 10 mg transdermal doses were not significant when normalized to 2.09 mg (TPL base). The bioavailabilities of the 5 mg and 10 mg transdermal doses relative to the oral 2.09 mg doses were 0.89 +/- 0.32 and 1.04 +/- 0.33, respectively. Mild erythema and pruritus were the most common adverse effects secondary to TPL transdermal application. Drowsiness observed following oral TPL, was not evident following either transdermal dose. The results of this study, therefore, indicate that TPL can be absorbed transdermally, providing consistent plasma concentrations.

Antipyrine kinetics following partial blood exchange with Fluosol-DA in the rat.

The effects of partial blood exchange with Fluosol-DA on hepatic microsomal oxidative metabolism have been studied in the rat. Antipyrine clearance (Cl) was used as an in-vivo measure of the activity of the mixed function oxidase system. Rats were partially exchanged with Fluosol-DA and dosed with antipyrine at selected time intervals following exchange. No change in antipyrine Cl was observed at 0.5 h, but there was a statistically significant decrease at 24 h and then an increase by more than 50% relative to control at 48 and 72 h. These data indicate that the effects of Fluosol-DA on hepatic function are time-dependent and that Fluosol-DA has the potential both to inhibit and to enhance hepatic metabolism. The possibility of altered hepatic metabolism should be considered when patients transfused with Fluosol-DA are given drugs primarily metabolized by the mixed function oxidase system.

Factors associated with nephrotoxicity and clinical outcome in patients receiving amikacin.

Data from 60 patients treated with amikacin were analyzed for factors associated with nephrotoxicity. In 42 of these patients, data were examined for factors associated with clinical outcome. Variables evaluated included patient weight, age, sex, serum creatinine level, creatinine clearance, duration of therapy, total dose, mean daily dose, organism minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), mean peak levels, mean trough levels, mean area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC), total AUC, mean AUC greater than MIC, total AUC greater than MIC, mean Schumacher's intensity factor (IF), total IF, In (mean maximum concentration [Cmax]/MIC). Model-dependent pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by computer based on a one-compartment model. When the parameters were examined individually, duration of therapy and total AUC correlated significantly (P less than .05) with nephrotoxicity. In contrast, a stepwise discriminant function analysis identified only duration of therapy (P less than .001) as an important factor. Based on this model and on Bayes' theorem, the predictive accuracy of identifying "nephrotoxic" patients increased from 0.17 to 0.39. When examined individually, mean IF, MIC, total dose, mean daily dose, and ln (mean Cmax/MIC) correlated significantly (P less than .05) with cure. In contrast, a simultaneous multivariable analysis identified IF, MIC, and total dose according to one model and ln (mean Cmax/MIC) according to a second statistical model of parameters selected to have the greatest prospective value. Based on Bayes' theorem and the first model, the predictive accuracy of identifying patients not cured increased from 0.19 to 0.83. For the second model, the predictive accuracy increased from 0.19 to 0.50.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of theophylline clearance by cimetidine but not ranitidine.

This study was designed to compare the effects of equivalent therapeutic doses of two H2 antagonists, cimetidine and ranitidine, on theophylline pharmacokinetics and to determine whether the previously described cimetidine-theophylline interaction is dose dependent. Twelve healthy adult men were given a 6-mg/kg intravenous aminophylline dose on four occasions. Subjects were randomly assigned four treatments: no treatment (control); cimetidine, 1,200 mg/day; cimetidine, 2,400 mg/day; and ranitidine, 300 mg/day. Cimetidine, 1,200 mg/day, significantly decreased theophylline clearance by 36% (range, 22% to 49%) and increased the mean elimination half-life from 5.7 hours (control) to 9.2 hours. A significant difference was not found between the two cimetidine dosages, indicating dose independence of the interaction over the dosage range studied. Ranitidine did not significantly alter theophylline pharmacokinetics. Theophylline plasma protein binding was not affected by any treatment. The relative effects of cimetidine and ranitidine on the elimination of cytochrome P-450 metabolized drugs such as theophylline indicate a useful property of ranitidine as compared with cimetidine.

Pharmacokinetics of intravenous chloramphenicol sodium succinate in adult patients with normal renal and hepatic function.

The pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol (CAP) and total chloramphenicol succinate (CAPS) were studied in eight hospitalized adult patients with normal renal and hepatic function receiving intravenous chloramphenicol sodium succinate therapy. The steady-state peak concentrations of CAP (8.4-26.0 micrograms/ml) occurred at an average of 18.0 min (range 5.4-40.2) after cessation of the chloramphenicol sodium succinate infusion. Unhydrolyzed CAPS prodrug, representing 26.0 +/- 7.0% of the dose, was recovered unchanged in the urine indicating that the bioavailability of CAP from a dose of intravenous chloramphenicol succinate is not complete. A pharmacokinetic model was developed for simultaneous fitting of CAP and CAPS plasma concentration data. Pharmacokinetic parameters determined by simultaneous fitting were: V, 0.81 +/- 0.18 liters/kg; t1/2, 3.20 +/- 1.02 hr; CLB, 3.21 +/- 1.27 ml/min/kg for chloramphenicol; and V, 0.38 +/- 0.13 liters/kg; t1/2, 0.57 +/- 0.12 hr; CLB, 7.72 +/- 1.87 ml/min/kg for total chloramphenicol succinate.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of carbaryl and 1-naphthol in biological fluids.

A simple and sensitive method for the simultaneous analysis of carbaryl and 1-naphthol in whole blood by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection is described. Spiked blood (heparinized) containing an internal standard was hemolyzed and extracted with ethyl acetate. After centrifugation the extractant was removed and taken to dryness. Reconstitution and subsequent high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence analysis yielded linear standard curves for carbaryl and 1-naphthol. Linear response vs. concentration profiles were obtained for carbaryl and 1-naphthol extracted from buffer solutions as well. A simple chemical hydrolysis study of carbaryl is included to illustrate the effectiveness of the extraction procedure and assay.