Development of an on-site therapeutic drug monitoring method using a portable spectrometer.

We report on the development of an on-site therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) method for vancomycin (VCM) utilizing a portable spectrometer and commercially available immunoturbidimetric assay reagents designed for automated clinical chemistry analyzers. The method enables the quantification of VCM in plasma samples within 10 min, with a good correlation between the measured values and the theoretical values (r2 = 0.995). The intra and inter-day precisions were found to be below 12.5% and 17.7%, respectively. Moreover, we established a correlation between the quantitative values using this method and those measured through HPLC-UV and automated clinical chemistry analyzers, showing good reliability (R2 = 0.970 and 0.951, respectively). This method allows anyone to rapidly perform TDM at the bedside and is expected to be used to evaluate appropriate drug therapy.

Palatability of Aripiprazole Gummies Prepared from Commercially Available Products: Pharmaceutical Formulation for Improving Patient Adherence.

Good adherence to medication is critical for successfully treating psychiatric disorders. Tailor-made pharmaceutical formulations can provide a suitable dosage form to meet the specific needs of individual patients who exhibit poor adherence to industrially manufactured products. Herein, we prepared aripiprazole (ARP) gummies (ARP-Gs) using a commercially available ARP formulation. We aimed to clarify the palatability of ARP-Gs by performing a gustatory sensation test in healthy volunteers. We performed two types of organoleptic masking of ARP-Gs, cocoa- and fruit-flavoured gummies (6.0 mg of ARP/3.5 g of gummy), and conducted two different gustatory sensation tests for each ARP-G. Ten young, healthy volunteers (mean ± standard deviation, 23.7 ± 1.2 years) were enrolled in each trial. The overall palatability of ARP-Gs was evaluated using the 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed between VAS scores of total ARP-G palatability and acceptability assessed using a 5-point rating scale. Among cocoa-flavoured ARP-Gs, those combining aspartame, cocoa powder, and banana flavour (ABC-ARP-G) exhibited the highest VAS scores for total palatability. Similarly, the VAS scores of grapefruit-flavoured ARP-Gs (GF-ARP-G) showed the highest values considering all fruit-flavoured ARP-Gs. The VAS scores for ABC-ARP-G and GF-ARP-G greatly exceeded the cut-off values of acceptability calculated using the ROC curve. We developed two types of ARP-Gs with organoleptic masking as tailor-made pharmaceutical formulations. ABC-ARP-Gs and GF-ARP-Gs could be acceptable in patients. ARP-Gs could be an alternative to currently available pharmaceutical formulations to enhance their adherence and meet the specific needs of individual patients.

Tablet characteristics and pharmacokinetics of orally disintegrating tablets containing coenzyme Q10 granules prepared by different methods.

This study aimed to elucidate the characteristics and pharmacokinetics of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) containing coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) granules prepared by spray drying, hot-melting, and wet granulation. The hardness and disintegration times of CoQ10-ODTs containing 5 % crospovidone were 61.6-81.8 N and < 30 s, respectively; these values indicate that the as-prepared ODTs were adequate for clinical use. The hardness and disintegration times of all ODTs did not change significantly after a 28-day storage period at 30 °C/10 % relative humidity (RH), but storage under high temperature and humidity affected their characteristics. The dissolution and pharmacokinetics of CoQ10-ODTs showed that ODTs prepared using the spray-drying method had the highest dissolution and absorbability among the CoQ10-ODTs tested. These results provide useful information for the preparation of ODTs using CoQ10.

Topical Formulations of Propranolol for Infantile Hemangiomas: Characteristics of Formulations and Three Cases of Infants Administered Topical Propranolol Cream.

Propranolol is used as the first-line treatment for infantile hemangiomas (IHs). As oral formulations can cause systemic adverse drug reactions (ADRs), we prepared topical propranolol formulations and evaluated their pharmaceutical profiles. We also present three cases of pediatric patients with IHs who were treated with the propranolol formulations. Propranolol cream (hydrophilic cream, 1, 3, and 5%) and gels (carboxyvinyl polymer, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, gellan gum, 1%) were prepared. The in vitro skin permeability of these formulations was assessed using Franz-type diffusion cells. The pharmaceutical profiles, including propranolol content, pH, and ductility, of the propranolol creams were evaluated. For the stability test, similar pharmaceutical evaluations were performed after the creams were stored at 25 °C and 56% relative humidity for 3 months. We examined three patients treated with propranolol cream to investigate the clinical course of IH and adverse events after the propranolol cream was applied for 5-12 months. In the in vitro skin permeability assay, topical propranolol formulations made of hydrophilic cream and gellan gum permeated the most. The amount of propranolol that permeated increased with propranolol concentration. After storage for 3 months, no substantial changes were observed in any pharmaceutical profile. The IHs were discolored in all patients. Tumor size also decreased in some patients. Furthermore, no adverse events caused by propranolol cream were observed during application. In conclusion, propranolol cream can be prepared as a hospital formulation with adequate quality. Topical propranolol therapy is effective in reducing the incidence of systemic ADRs.

[Formulation Development for the Purpose of Improving Medication Adherence].

Medication adherence is an important factor in the success or failure of drug treatment. No matter how good a drug is, if a patient cannot or does not want to take it, the therapeutic effect of the drug will not be sufficient and as expected. Therefore, we have been developing formulations with "clinical functionality", namely, formulation characteristics that enhance the likelihood of obtaining the expected therapeutic effect. We researched formulations that are easy to take and deliver expected results; these formulations include gummy drugs as confectionery-like formulations and orally disintegrating (OD) tablets that can be easily swallowed. In particular, OD tablets have been jointly developed with pharmaceutical companies and have been commercialized. Clinical trials with gummy drugs and OD tablets have been conducted to verify the impact of these formulations with clinical functionality on improving medication adherence.

Gummi Formulations Comprising Amenamevir Solid Dispersions with Polyvinyl Alcohol.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether solid dispersions (SDs) are applicable to gummi formulations. Amenamevir was selected as a model of a poorly water-soluble drug, and polyvinyl alcohols (PVAs) with various degrees of hydrolysis (PVA 66, PVA 80, PVA 88, and PVA 66/88) were used as SD carriers. Design of experiments (DOE) was used to develop a gummi formulation that was suitable for an amenamevir SD using SD with PVA 66. Dissolution studies and clinical sensory tests on 11 formulations calculated by DOE revealed that a gummi formulation comprising 10.5% gelatin and 22.8% water was suitable for SD of the drug. Gummi formulations comprising amenamevir SDs with various PVAs were prepared using the determined gummi formulation, and their ability to dissolve amenamevir, their stability, and their oral absorption in dogs were evaluated. The results suggested that PVA 66, PVA 66/88, and PVA 80 were appropriate in terms of dissolution, stability, and in vivo absorption, respectively. Considering these results comprehensively, it was concluded that PVA 80, which enabled the highest degree of absorption, was the most suitable SD carrier for gummi formulations. Thus, it was possible to apply a PVA SD of amenamevir to gummi formulations.

Prediction of the Area under the Curve Using Limited-Point Blood Sampling in a Cocktail Study to Assess Multiple CYP Activities.

A cocktail study is an in vivo evaluation method to assess multiple CYP activities via a single trial and single administration of a cocktail drug that is a combination of multiple CYP substrates. However, multiple blood samples are required to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of a CYP probe drug. A limited-point sampling method is generally beneficial in clinical studies because of the simplified protocol and reduced participant burden. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a limited-point plasma concentration analysis of CYP substrates in a cocktail drug could predict their area under the curve (AUC). We created prediction models of five CYP substrates (caffeine, losartan, omeprazole, dextromethorphan, and midazolam) using multiple linear regressions from the data of two cocktail studies, and then performed predictability analysis of these models using data derived from data in the co-administration with inducer (rifampicin) and inhibitors (fluvoxamine and cimetidine). For the administration of inhibitors, the AUC prediction accuracy (mean absolute error (MAE)) were <39.5% in Model 1 and <26.2% in Model 2 which were created using 1- and 4-point sampling data. MAE shows larger values in the administration of inducer in compared with the administration of inhibitors. The accuracy of the prediction in Model 2 could be acceptable for screening of inhibitions. MAE for caffeine, dextromethorphan, and midazolam were acceptable in the model that used 4 sampling points from all data. The use of this method could reduce the burden on the subject and make it possible to evaluate each AUC in a minimally invasive manner.

Evaluation of Disappearance Time and Palatability of Foams in the Oral Cavities of Healthy Volunteers, and Preparation of Drug-Containing Foam Formulations for Use in the Treatment of Oral Mucositis.

Oral mucositis is one of the most common adverse effects of radiation and chemotherapy in treatments of cancers. Some clinical guidelines have focused on the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis, and thus, a mouthwash containing drugs is often recommended. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the disappearance time and palatability in the oral cavities of healthy volunteers in foams prepared from different concentrations of the three viscosity grades of methylcellulose (SM-4, -100, -400). In addition, we prepared foam formulations of drugs (benzydamine, dexamethasone, allopurinol and rebamipide) for use as a prevention and treatment of oral mucositis. There was a significant relationship between the foam drainage ratios at 5-15 min and the disappearance time in the oral cavities. The significant relationship of foam densities to the foam disappearance time and overall palatability in a clinical study were observed. Thus, the foam density is considered an important parameter and reflects these clinically important properties. The foam from SM-4 has the longest disappearance time and the best palatability followed by foams from the 4 and 1% SM-4. Drug contents in drug-containing foam formulations which were prepared with 1-4% SM-4 represented 101-112% of the loaded drug contents, and the relative standard deviations of drug contents were <2.2%, which suggests that these formulations had pharmaceutically acceptable properties. This is the first report in regard to foam formulations containing drugs for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis, and these formulations could be potentially useful for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis.

Verification of a cocktail approach for quantitative drug-drug interaction assessment: a comparative analysis between the results of a single drug and a cocktail drug.

A cocktail approach is a method to comprehensively evaluate the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) by co-administering multiple CYP substrates. This is the first report that compares the results from a cocktail study to a single substrate separate administration study (single study) with concomitant administration of CYP inducers/inhibitors. The validity of a cocktail study for use as a quantitative drug-drug interactions (DDIs) assessment was evaluated.We administered a cocktail drug (caffeine, losartan, omeprazole, dextromethorphan, midazolam) with rifampicin, cimetidine or fluvoxamine. A comparative analysis was performed between the results of a cocktail study and single studies. The results of single studies were obtained from a literature review and the trials of single substrate separate administration.A strong positive correlation of the AUC ratio of all drugs between single studies and the cocktail study was obtained. The ratio of AUC change of 12 combinations converged to 0.82-1.09, and 2 combinations ranged between 0.74-1.32.The differences in the degree of interaction between the single studies and cocktail study are acceptable to evaluate DDIs for almost all combinations. Our results indicate that a cocktail study is an adequate and quantitative evaluation method for DDIs.

Impact of community pharmacist-led intensive education on the control of serum phosphate levels in haemodialysis patients.

Background Administration of phosphate binders can decrease serum phosphate levels and improve the prognosis of patients on dialysis. However, patients are often non-adherent to phosphate binder medication. Although community pharmacist-led education could be effective in the maintenance of adherence to phosphate binder medication, its impact has not been evaluated. Objective We aimed to evaluate the impact of community pharmacist-led intensive education focusing on phosphate binders for patients receiving haemodialysis. Setting The study comprising three phases (baseline phase, intervention phase, and follow-up phase) was conducted at the Yamauchi Pharmacy, Japan. Method Six pharmacists provided intensive education focusing on phosphate binders to patients receiving haemodialysis. As intensive education, a sheet containing checks for the remaining phosphate binders and information advising the patients on the use of the drugs was issued. Using the check sheet filled in by the patient, the pharmacists repeatedly provided education appropriate to the individual patient's medication status and level of understanding to encourage the correct use of phosphate binders for 8 weeks (intervention phase). We investigated their serum phosphate levels from their medical records from 2 months before the start of intensive education (baseline phase) to 8 months after the end of the education (follow-up phase). Main outcome measure Serum phosphate levels in patients receiving haemodialysis after intensive education by community pharmacists. Results Fifty patients were enrolled in this study. During the intervention phase, serum phosphate levels in the patients with high and the highest serum phosphate level (6-7 mg/dL and ≥ 7 mg/dL, respectively) significantly decreased by 6.9% (P = 0.007) and 10.9% (P = 0.034), respectively. The levels remained below the baseline value throughout the follow-up phase in patients with the highest serum phosphate level. Conclusion Community pharmacist-led education focusing on phosphate binders affects short- and long-term management of serum phosphate levels in patients receiving haemodialysis, especially the patients whose levels were initially high.

Clinical evaluation of drug-drug interactions between the cytochrome P450 substrates selexipag and clopidogrel in Japanese volunteers.

AIMS: The strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 inhibitor gemfibrozil has been demonstrated to increase the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to infinity (AUC0-∞ ) of ACT-333679, an active metabolite of selexipag, by 11-fold. Similarly to gemfibrozil, the CYP2C8 inhibitor clopidogrel increased ACT-333679 concentration by 1.9-fold after a single loading dose (300 mg once daily) and 2.7-fold after repeated treatment with the maintenance dose (75 mg once daily) in Europeans. However, the effects of clopidogrel on the pharmacokinetics of selexipag and ACT-333679 have not been fully elucidated in the Japanese population. METHODS: We investigated the effect of clopidogrel on the pharmacokinetics of selexipag and ACT-333679 in 14 healthy Japanese volunteers. RESULTS: The concomitant administration of clopidogrel with selexipag did not influence the maximum concentration and AUC0-∞ of selexipag, whereas it significantly increased AUC0-∞ of ACT-333679 by approximately 1.90-fold (90% confidence interval 1.69-2.14) without changing the maximum concentration. When selexipag was administered 1 day after clopidogrel was discontinued, the increase in AUC0-∞ of ACT-333679 was 1.37-fold (90% confidence interval 0.93-2.02), suggesting that, although the inhibitory effect of clopidogrel on CYP2C8 was reduced, it persisted for at least 1 day after withdrawal. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated the impact of clopidogrel on the pharmacokinetics of selexipag and its active metabolite and suggested that selexipag should be carefully prescribed with clopidogrel with dose adjustment or reducing the dosing frequency in Japanese clinical settings.

Combining Powder Formulations of Drugs with Food and Beverages to Improve Palatability.

The taste of medicines can significantly affect patient adherence. Pediatric patients often cannot take powder medicines because of their unpleasant taste. Therefore, patients' parents and health care professionals, including pharmacists, often combine medicines with food or beverages to make them easier for pediatric patients to consume because this can reduce their unpleasant taste. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the palatability of powder formulations of azithromycin and carbocysteine and explore their combination with food or beverages to improve palatability for pediatric patients. We quantitatively evaluated the palatability of powder formulations by performing the gustatory sensation test using the visual analog scale score. The gustatory sensation tests were performed on 16 healthy adult volunteers (age 23.0 ± 2.6 years) and indicated that some food and beverages improved the palatability of the powder formulations of azithromycin and carbocysteine. The results of this study indicate that ice cream improves the palatability of azithromycin, while yogurt improves the palatability of carbocysteine. Moreover, the subjects recommended these same combinations for pediatric patients. This study suggests that some foods and beverages improve the palatability of powder formulations, thereby decreasing the possibility that pediatric patients will refuse medications because of their unpleasant taste.

Evaluation of Weight Variation in Mini-Tablets Manufactured by a Multiple-Tip Tool.

Recently, owing to their pharmaceutical and clinical utility, mini-tablets have been well studied by researchers. Mini-tablets are usually manufactured by compression molding using a multiple-tip tool in a rotary tableting machine. Owing to their special structure, ensuring uniformity is a very important challenge in the manufacturability of mini-tablets using the multiple-tip tool. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the weight variation in mini-tablets produced by a multiple-tip tool, which is considered to be the root cause affecting the uniformity, and to investigate the physical properties of drug granules and tableting conditions in a rotary tableting machine that could reduce this weight variation. In addition, the relationship between these factors and response was visualized using response surface analysis. It was shown that the weight variation in mini-tablets produced by a multiple-tip tool was reduced when using a forced feeder compared with an open feeder. Furthermore, in the case of an open feeder, the optimal range of the average particle size diameter of drug granules and the rotational speed of the rotating disc in the rotary tableting machine were determined from response surface analysis. It was suggested that it is possible to reduce the weight variation in the mini-tablets by selecting drug granules with an average particle size diameter of 100-150 µm and using tableting conditions with a rotational speed of 40-60 rpm. This study elucidated the factors that affect uniformity and determined their optimal range for the manufacture of mini-tablets.

Morphological evaluation of low-dose midazolam granules by laser Raman microscopy.

Raman analysis has higher sensitivity for the detection of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) than additives; thus, it is expected to be used for the evaluation of low-content preparations. The purpose of this study was to clarify the usefulness of granule morphology assessment using Raman analysis in the development of low-content formulations. In this study, midazolam was used as a model drug to prepare granules as a low-content formulation. Raman images were used to visualize the distribution of ingredients on the surface of the granules, determine the particle size of midazolam bound to the granules, and investigate the types of excipient components to which midazolam is bound. It was suggested that midazolam particles of a certain size were difficult to bind to excipients and had particularly low adhesion to mannitol. It was revealed that this phenomenon caused the segregation of the content of midazolam particles in the granules. Therefore, to obtain granules with good content uniformity, it was considered necessary to control the particle size of the API and select an additive that does not differ in adhesiveness to the main drug. Additionally, the findings obtained by morphological observation could be clarified by the quantitative evaluation of additives using Raman.

The µ-opioid receptor gene polymorphism 118A>G weakens the pharmacological action of buprenorphine.

AIMS: Opioids are commonly used analgesics for moderate to severe pain, but levels of drug effect vary among individuals. As for the mechanisms underlying these individual differences, there have been reports suggesting effects of polymorphisms in the gene encoding µ-opioid receptor (OPRM1). However, whether these polymorphisms affect the actions of µ-opioid receptor partial agonists has yet to be determined. This study aimed to assess differences in the pharmacological actions of buprenorphine, a µ-opioid receptor partial agonist, due to a polymorphism (A118G, rs1799971) in the OPRM1 gene in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy adult men (5 with OPRM1 c.118AA and 5 with OPRM1 c.118GG) received a single intravenous dose of buprenorphine hydrochloride at 0.001 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected up to 360 minutes after drug administration to assess the pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine. Nociceptive thresholds (temperature), digital symbol substitution test (DSST), and visual analog self-rating scale (VAS) for subjective symptoms were also evaluated over time to assess the pharmacodynamics. RESULTS: Nociceptive thresholds were significantly increased in the AA as compared to the GG group after buprenorphine administration (p = 0.025), while the DSST scores were significantly lower in the AA group (p < 0.001). The VAS scores for drowsiness (p < 0.001), malaise (p < 0.001), nausea (p < 0.001), and euphoria (p = 0.004) were higher in the AA than in the GG group. CONCLUSION: Levels of pharmacological actions of a µ-opioid receptor partial agonist vary in accordance with a polymorphism in the OPRM1 gene (A118G).

Highly porous nature of a primitive asteroid revealed by thermal imaging.

Carbonaceous (C-type) asteroids1 are relics of the early Solar System that have preserved primitive materials since their formation approximately 4.6 billion years ago. They are probably analogues of carbonaceous chondrites2,3 and are essential for understanding planetary formation processes. However, their physical properties remain poorly known because carbonaceous chondrite meteoroids tend not to survive entry to Earth's atmosphere. Here we report on global one-rotation thermographic images of the C-type asteroid 162173 Ryugu, taken by the thermal infrared imager (TIR)4 onboard the spacecraft Hayabusa25, indicating that the asteroid's boulders and their surroundings have similar temperatures, with a derived thermal inertia of about 300 J m-2 s-0.5 K-1 (300 tiu). Contrary to predictions that the surface consists of regolith and dense boulders, this low thermal inertia suggests that the boulders are more porous than typical carbonaceous chondrites6 and that their surroundings are covered with porous fragments more than 10 centimetres in diameter. Close-up thermal images confirm the presence of such porous fragments and the flat diurnal temperature profiles suggest a strong surface roughness effect7,8. We also observed in the close-up thermal images boulders that are colder during the day, with thermal inertia exceeding 600 tiu, corresponding to dense boulders similar to typical carbonaceous chondrites6. These results constrain the formation history of Ryugu: the asteroid must be a rubble pile formed from impact fragments of a parent body with microporosity9 of approximately 30 to 50 per cent that experienced a low degree of consolidation. The dense boulders might have originated from the consolidated innermost region or they may have an exogenic origin. This high-porosity asteroid may link cosmic fluffy dust to dense celestial bodies10.

Evaluation of in Vitro and in Vivo Transdermal Absorption of Solifenacin Succinate.

Solifenacin (Sol), an antimuscarinic agent has been widely used for the treatment of overactive bladder. Transdermal formulations can be administered without water as well as absorbed slowly into the blood over a long period of time. The aim of this study was to develop cream and tape formulations of Sol, and evaluate the transdermal permeation and absorption of the drug from the two formulations in vitro and in vivo, respectively. In the preparation of cream formulation, Sol succinate was dissolved in purified water, and the mixture was added to the hydrophilic cream. Then, aqueous sodium hydroxide was added to the cream. In the tape formulation, Sol succinate was dissolved in a solvent with propylene glycol, diisopropanolamine, triethyl citrate, and EUDRAGIT E100. The dissolved solvent was poured onto a polyethylene film. Cream (5%) and tape (15%) formulations demonstrated high skin permeability. Addition of an adsorption enhancer (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) did not further increase the level of skin permeability. In subsequent in vivo experiments in rats, both the cream and tape formulations led to slow absorption of Sol into plasma, with increased t1/2 compared with oral administration. Plasma Sol concentrations peaked 24 h after transdermal application and the drug was still detectable in plasma 72 h after application. Additionally, the cream (5%) and tape (15%) formulations resulted in a higher area under the plasma concentration vs. time curve from 0 to 72 h (AUC0-72) compared with oral formulation (30 mg/kg). In conclusion, significant in vitro permeability and in vivo absorption of Sol from the transdermal formulations were observed.

Effect of rifampicin and clarithromycin on the CYP3A activity in patients with Mycobacterium avium complex.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of pulmonary infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is increasing worldwide. Furthermore, the treatment of infections caused by the Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) remains challenging. The cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme inducer, rifampicin, and the CYP inhibitor, clarithromycin, have clinical activity against MAC and key drugs in the treatment of MAC infection. The interaction of rifampicin and clarithromycin may influence the therapeutic process. METHODS: Thirty-one Japanese chemo-naïve patients with pulmonary MAC infection were included in the study. Before and after 7-day administration of rifampicin and clarithromycin, the pharmacokinetics of midazolam, a CYP3A-specific probe, were analyzed. The concentrations of midazolam were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. None of the patients were receiving any other medications that might affect CYP3A activity. RESULTS: Of the patients, 24 (77.4%) were infected with Mycobacterium avium (M. avium) and 7 (22.6%) were infected with Mycobacterium intracellulare (M. intracellulare). The concentrations of midazolam were significantly reduced with administration of rifampicin and clarithromycin [the median (range) was 1.75 (0.70-8.22) to 1.04 (0.30-2.63) ng/mL, P<0.0001]. The differences in midazolam levels were not correlated with clinical characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Coadministration of rifampicin and clarithromycin may increase CYP3A enzymatic activity.

The Prediction of the Area under the Curve and Clearance of Midazolam from Single-Point Plasma Concentration and Urinary Excretion in Healthy Volunteers.

There are large inter- and intra-individual variations in CYP3A4 activity. Midazolam, which is predominantly metabolized to 1'-hydroxymidazolam and 4-hydroxymidazolam by CYP3A4, is considered an effective probe for CYP3A4. To determine the area under the curve (AUC) of midazolam or midazolam clearance for CYP3A4 activity, multiple plasma samples of midazolam are required. This study aimed to evaluate whether measurement of a single plasma concentration or urinary excretion of midazolam could be used to predict the AUC of midazolam in healthy volunteers. We conducted a retrospective analysis of two pharmacokinetic studies. Nineteen volunteers received intravenous (5, 15, and 30 µg/kg) and oral (15, 50, and 100 µg/kg) administration of midazolam on sequential days. The midazolam concentration in plasma and urine was determined by LC-MS/MS. Plasma midazolam concentrations showed a good correlation with the AUC at all blood sampling points after the administrations. The coefficient of determination was highest at 1-2 and 2-4 h after intravenous (>0.96) and oral administration (>0.94), respectively, among all the sampling times. The errors for bias and accuracy of prediction were the lowest at 1.5 and 4 h after intravenous and oral administration, respectively. In case of urinary excretion, a significant positive correlation between midazolam and the AUC was observed only after oral administration. Thus, the AUC of midazolam can be evaluated by blood sampling at 1.5 h after intravenous administration and at 4 h after oral administration.

Ease of Taking and Palatability of Fixed-Dose Orally Disintegrating Mitiglinide/Voglibose Tablets.

Fixed-dose combination (FDC) medicines containing two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in a single dosage form have been reported to improve patient adherence to a greater extent than single dosages of individual components (ICs). Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) are easier to swallow than conventional tablets. The aim of this study was to elucidate the clinical pharmaceutical characteristics of taking a FDC-ODT and two IC-ODTs. We prepared three ODTs containing mitiglinide, voglibose, and mitiglinide/voglibose and three corresponding placebo ODTs and performed 2 independent clinical trials with 13 healthy subjects (mean age, 23.4 ± 1.6 years). One trial evaluated the ease of taking tablets and the amount of water required for taking the tablets; placebo ODTs were used in order to avoid administering APIs. The other trial evaluated the bitterness, sweetness and overall palatability of ODTs containing APIs during disintegration and after spitting out. Ease and taste were evaluated using both a visual analog scale (VAS) and a verbal rating scale (VRS). The results of the VAS and VRS evaluation indicated that FDC-ODT could ease tablet intake unlike IC-ODTs. In addition, FDC-ODT reduced the amount of water required for tablet intake in contrast to IC-ODTs. Taste evaluation results did not reveal any difference between FDC-ODT and IC-ODTs, except for the sweetness score after spitting out. In conclusion, FDC-ODT is easy to take and can help improve patient adherence.