Pharmacokinetics of Sublingual Versus Oral Tacrolimus in Patients Awaiting Kidney Transplantation

Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Sublingual Versus Oral Tacrolimus Administration in Patients Awaiting Kidney Transplantation

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Kidney Failure, Chronic
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Tacrolimus (Arm A); Drug: Nystatin Suspension; Drug: Tacrolimus (Arm B); Drug: Clotrimazole Troche

Detailed Description

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. The amount of oral tacrolimus that is absorbed varies in all patient populations studied. Tacrolimus is metabolized or broken down for elimination by the liver and small intestine via cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4, CYP 3A5, and p-glycoprotein enzyme systems. Enzyme activity is affected by several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in an individuals genetic make-up and differences in expression may contribute to variations in tacrolimus pharmacokinetics. There are number of drug-drug interactions where concomitantly administered medications can increase or decrease this break down of tacrolimus. 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. Studies in lung transplant recipients have utilized sublingual (under the tongue) tacrolimus administration with successful outcomes. 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 allows for direct entry into the systemic circulation and bypasses problems associated with drug absorption and breakdown that take place in the small intestine. In order to learn more about the possible role of sublingual tacrolimus among transplant recipients we will administer tacrolimus sublingually. In addition, we will evaluate differences in expression and bioactivity of SNP polymorphisms and their effects in tacrolimus pharmacokinetics. Patients awaiting kidney transplantation who are listed on the kidney transplant waiting list or those with upcoming living donor transplants at our center will be administered five doses of sublingual tacrolimus followed by five doses of oral tacrolimus. We will evaluate and then compare the pharmacokinetic characteristics of sublingual and oral tacrolimus administration among the study participants. The purpose of this study is to assess the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of tacrolimus after sublingual and oral administration. A secondary objective is to assess the drug-drug interaction between concomitant therapy with clotrimazole.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 5
• Phase: Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • New York
    • New York, New York, United States, 10065
      • NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 16 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients awaiting kidney transplantation aged ≥ 18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients concurrently treated with medications that interact with tacrolimus (other than clotrimazole)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: A: Tacrolimus and Nystatin Suspension; Administer sublingual tacrolimus 2 mg every 12 hours (subject weight < 90 kg) or 3 mg every 12 hours (subject weight > 90kg) (study day 1 - 3). Tacrolimus capsules will be opened and the contents placed under the participants tongue. Oral tacrolimus at same dose every 12 hours (study day 6 - 8). Tacrolimus capsules will be administered by mouth. Nystatin suspension 5 mL every 12 hours (study days 1 - 3 and 6 - 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).; Other Names: Prograf; 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).; Other Names: Nystatin Swish and Swallow
Experimental: B: Tacrolimus and Clotrimazole Troche; Administer sublingual tacrolimus 1 mg every 12 hours (subject weight < 90 kg) or 2 mg every 12 hours (subject weight > 90 kg) (study day 1 - 3). Tacrolimus capsules will be opened and the contents placed under the participants tongue. Oral tacrolimus at same dose every 12 hours (study day 6 - 8). Tacrolimus capsules will be administered by mouth. Clotrimazole troche 10 mg every 12 hours (study day 1 - 3 and 6 - 8).	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).; Other Names: Prograf; 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).; Other Names: Mycelex

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
C0 (ng/mL)	Trough concentration	Day 3 and Day 8, time 0 (before tacrolimus dose)
Cmax	Maximum concentration (ng/mL)	Day 3 and Day 8, at time of maximum concentration
Tmax	Time to Maximum concentration (hours)	Day 3 and Day 8, time of maximum concentration
Estimated AUC 0-6	Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve from 0-6 hours (mg-hr/L)	Day 3 and Day 8, calculated based on concentrations measured between hours 0 and 6
Tacrolimus Powder Dissolution Time	Tacrolimus Powder Dissolution Time during Sublingual Administration (minutes)	Day 3, minutes to powder dissolution

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Drug Interactions and Genotypes	Impact of drug interaction between tacrolimus and clotrimazole troche vs. nystatin suspension. Evaluate genotype polymorphisms that influence CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and p-glycoprotein expression to determine impact on sublingual and oral tacrolimus delivery.	2 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Weill Medical College of Cornell University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Meredith J Aull, Pharm.D., Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: February 1, 2008
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2009
• Study Completion (Actual): December 1, 2009

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 12, 2008
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 25, 2008
• First Posted (Estimate): March 5, 2008

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 12, 2019
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 30, 2019
• Last Verified: May 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Pharmacokinetics; Kidney Transplantation; Tacrolimus (Prograf); Sublingual administration; Drug interactions (Cytochrome P450 and p-glycoprotein)
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Kidney Diseases; Urologic Diseases; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Renal Insufficiency; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Anti-Infective Agents; Enzyme Inhibitors; Immunosuppressive Agents; Immunologic Factors; Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Membrane Transport Modulators; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors; Hormone Antagonists; Antifungal Agents; Steroid Synthesis Inhibitors; 14-alpha Demethylase Inhibitors; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inhibitors; Calcineurin Inhibitors; Ionophores; Clotrimazole; Miconazole; Tacrolimus; Nystatin
• Other Study ID Numbers: 0710009492