Pharmacokinetics of Sublingual Versus Oral Tacrolimus in Patients Awaiting Kidney Transplantation

Summary

Tacrolimus (Prograf) belongs to a class of medications known as the calcineurin inhibitors. It is a maintenance drug that is used to prevent rejection in kidney, liver, and heart transplant recipients. Calcineurin inhibitors display high pharmacokinetic (the body's effects on a drug) variability and necessitate use of blood tests to ensure that adequate drug levels are present to maintain effectiveness and safety. Early after transplant or at times when tacrolimus cannot be taken by mouth, alternative routes of administration are sought. Although an intravenous (through the vein) product is available, it can be toxic to the kidneys and has been associated with allergic reactions. Drug delivery via the oral mucosa is an alternative method of systemic drug administration which offers an alternative when oral administration is impractical (gastrointestinal dysmotility, reduced drug absorption, intestinal failure, difficulty in swallowing, or in those with nausea or vomiting). Administration of tacrolimus by the sublingual route may allow for direct entry into the systemic circulation and bypasses problems associated with drug absorption and breakdown that take place in the small intestine.

Conditions

• Kidney Failure, Chronic

Interventions

DRUG

Tacrolimus (Arm B)

Study day 1 (9a): Initiate sublingual (SL) tacrolimus and clotrimazole troche x 5 doses; Study day 3 (9a): Collection of pharmacokinetic parameters around the 5th SL tacrolimus dose; Study day 3 (9p): Start washout period, no drug administration (tacrolimus, clotrimazole); Study day 5 (9p): End washout period; Study day 6 (9a): Initiate oral tacrolimus and clotrimazole troche x 5 doses; Study day 8 (9a): Collection of pharmacokinetic parameters around the 5th oral tacrolimus dose; Study day 15: Contact subject by telephone to assess for any adverse effects. To ensure that dietary intake does not affect the absorption profile of tacrolimus we will ensure that breakfast is given 15 minutes prior to drug administration on the days of pharmacokinetic assessment (study day 3 and 8).

DRUG

Clotrimazole Troche

Study day 1 (9a): Initiate sublingual (SL) tacrolimus and clotrimazole troche x 5 doses; Study day 3 (9a): Collection of pharmacokinetic parameters around the 5th SL tacrolimus dose; Study day 3 (9p): Start washout period, no drug administration (tacrolimus, clotrimazole); Study day 5 (9p): End washout period; Study day 6 (9a): Initiate oral tacrolimus and clotrimazole troche x 5 doses; Study day 8 (9a): Collection of pharmacokinetic parameters around the 5th oral tacrolimus dose; Study day 15: Contact subject by telephone to assess for any adverse effects. To ensure that dietary intake does not affect the absorption profile of tacrolimus we will ensure that breakfast is given 15 minutes prior to drug administration on the days of pharmacokinetic assessment (study day 3 and 8).

DRUG

Tacrolimus (Arm A)

Study day 1 (9a): Initiate sublingual (SL) tacrolimus and nystatin suspension x 5 doses; Study day 3 (9a): Collection of pharmacokinetic parameters around the 5th SL tacrolimus dose; Study day 3 (9p): Start washout period, no drug administration (tacrolimus, nystatin); Study day 5 (9p): End washout period; Study day 6 (9a): Initiate oral tacrolimus and nystatin suspension x 5 doses; Study day 8 (9a): Collection of pharmacokinetic parameters around the 5th oral tacrolimus dose; Study day 15: Contact subjects by telephone to assess for any adverse effects. To ensure that dietary intake does not affect the absorption profile of tacrolimus we will ensure that breakfast is given 15 minutes prior to drug administration on the days of pharmacokinetic assessment (study day 3 and 8).

DRUG

Nystatin Suspension

Study day 1 (9a): Initiate sublingual (SL) tacrolimus and nystatin suspension x 5 doses; Study day 3 (9a): Collection of pharmacokinetic parameters around the 5th SL tacrolimus dose; Study day 3 (9p): Start washout period, no drug administration (tacrolimus, nystatin); Study day 5 (9p): End washout period; Study day 6 (9a): Initiate oral tacrolimus and nystatin suspension x 5 doses; Study day 8 (9a): Collection of pharmacokinetic parameters around the 5th oral tacrolimus dose; Study day 15: Contact subjects by telephone to assess for any adverse effects. To ensure that dietary intake does not affect the absorption profile of tacrolimus we will ensure that breakfast is given 15 minutes prior to drug administration on the days of pharmacokinetic assessment (study day 3 and 8).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Weill Medical College of Cornell University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Meredith J Aull, Pharm.D. · Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2008-02-29

Primary Completion

2009-12-31

Completion

2009-12-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations