The Effect of Efavirenz and Nelfinavir on the Blood Levels of Certain Lipid-Lowering Drugs

The Effect of Efavirenz and Nelfinavir on the Pharmacokinetics of Hydroxymethylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Inhibitors

The purpose of this study is to find out whether certain anti-HIV drugs (efavirenz [EFV] and nelfinavir [NFV]) affect the amount of certain fat-lowering drugs (atorvastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin) in the blood.

Protease inhibitors (PIs), a type of anti-HIV drug, are known to cause increased lipids (fats) in the blood of HIV-infected patients. EFV also is known to increase blood fats. HIV-infected patients who take PIs and/or EFV may need to take fat-lowering drugs to correct this problem. So it is important to look at possible drug interactions when these drugs are taken together. This study will see if taking EFV or NFV, a protease inhibitor, affects the blood level of simvastatin, atorvastatin, or pravastatin (all fat-lowering drugs). To obtain results more quickly, the study population will be healthy HIV-negative volunteers.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Abnormalities in lipid metabolism are a recognized side effect of protease inhibitor (PI) therapy in HIV-infected patients. EFV also is known to increase plasma cholesterol. In an attempt to normalize serum lipids in HIV-infected patients on PIs and/or EFV, Hydroxymethylglutaryl Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (also known as statins) may be prescribed. Therefore, it is important to study how PIs and EFV affect the PK of concurrently-administered statins. Many of the statins utilize the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 enzyme for metabolism. In addition, atorvastatin and simvastatin have active metabolites, generated via CYP3A4, that contribute to the drugs' lipid-lowering activity and probably to their toxicity. Pravastatin is not metabolized by CYP3A4 but is inactivated by conjugation, non-CYP3A4-induced hydroxylation, and renal excretion. NFV, the most commonly used PI, is an inhibitor of CYP3A4 and an inducer of other CYPs and conjugative pathways. EFV is a mixed CYP3A4 inhibitor and inducer. This study examines the effect of NFV on the PK of pravastatin and the effect of EFV on the PK of simvastatin, atorvastatin, and pravastatin. As EFV with pravastatin is expected to be a common drug combination during the treatment of HIV infection, it should be explored further, even though drug interactions are not expected. To expedite this study, the study population is comprised of healthy control volunteers.

Volunteers are assigned to 1 of 4 groups. Volunteers in Groups A, B, and C take a statin (simvastatin, atorvastatin, or pravastatin, respectively) on Days 0 to 3. After Day 3, the statin is stopped and EFV is begun. Volunteers take EFV until Day 14 and the statin and EFV together from Days 15 to 18. Volunteers in Group D take pravastatin on Days 0 to 3, NFV on Days 4 to 12, and pravastatin and NFV together on Days 13 to 16. Fasting lipid profiles are performed on Days 0, 4, 15, and 19 for Groups A, B, and C, and on Days 0, 3, 13, and 16 for Group D. PK sampling is performed on Days 3, 14, and 18 for Groups A, B, and C (requiring an overnight stay), and on Days 3 and 16 for Group D. Volunteers receive monetary compensation for participation in this study.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment

56

Phase

  • Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • California
      • Stanford, California, United States, 943055107
        • Stanford Univ Med Ctr
    • Colorado
      • Denver, Colorado, United States, 80262
        • Univ of Colorado Health Sciences Ctr
    • Maryland
      • Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21287
        • Johns Hopkins Hosp
    • Minnesota
      • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55455
        • Univ of Minnesota
    • Missouri
      • Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63108
        • Washington Univ / St Louis Connect Care
      • St Louis, Missouri, United States, 63108
        • Washington Univ School of Medicine
    • New York
      • Rochester, New York, United States, 14642
        • Univ of Rochester Medical Center
    • Ohio
      • Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 452670405
        • Univ of Cincinnati
    • Pennsylvania
      • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213
        • Univ of Pittsburgh
    • Washington
      • Seattle, Washington, United States, 98104
        • Univ of Washington

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 60 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria

Volunteers may be eligible for this study if they:

  • Are HIV-negative.
  • Are 18 to 60 years old.
  • Weigh at least 50 kg (110 lbs) and are within 30 percent of their ideal body weight.
  • Cannot have children (have reached menopause [change of life] for at least 24 straight months or have had a hysterectomy), if female and enrolling to Group A, B, or C.
  • Have a negative pregnancy test within 14 days before study entry and within 24 hours before starting the study drugs, if female, able to have children, and enrolling to Group D.
  • Agree to avoid trying to become pregnant or causing someone to become pregnant. Agree not to donate sperm or participate in other fertilization procedures. If participating in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy, the study volunteer and/or partner must use 2 reliable methods of birth control at the same time, while taking study drugs, and for 6 weeks after stopping the drugs. Male volunteers are allowed to be sexually active without the use of birth control if they have had a successful vasectomy or are sterile.

Exclusion Criteria

Volunteers will not be eligible for this study if they:

  • Have or have had heart, kidney, blood, nerve, digestive, mental, hormonal, or immune system diseases. These include high blood pressure, blocked arteries, arthritis, diabetes, stomach or intestinal problems, depression, and past use of antidepressant drugs.
  • Are pregnant or breast-feeding.
  • Have used experimental, prescription, or over-the-counter drugs within 14 days before study entry, except for aspirin (ASA), acetaminophen (Tylenol), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), daily multivitamins, mineral supplements, birth control pills or implants, and hormone replacement therapy for women who have reached menopause.
  • Are allergic to study drugs or their ingredients.
  • Abuse drugs or alcohol.
  • Have a medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with their participation in the study.
  • Have participated in any experimental drug study within 30 days before study entry.
  • Are not able to keep their usual diet during the study or are unable to write down their food intake before the study visits.
  • Have an abnormal urine test result, e.g., urinary tract infection, kidney disease, or kidney stones.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Study Chair: John Gerber

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 11, 2001

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 30, 2001

First Posted (Estimate)

August 31, 2001

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

March 14, 2006

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 13, 2006

Last Verified

February 1, 2004

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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