A Bioavailability Study With Alternate Methods of Administration of Naloxegol Tablets, and Solution

An Open-Label, Randomized, 4-Period, 4-Treatment, Crossover, Single-Center, Single-Dose Bioavailability Study With Alternate Methods of Administration of Crushed Naloxegol Tablets, 25 mg and of a Naloxegol Solution Formulation, 25 mg, Compared to Whole Naloxegol Tablets, 25 mg, in Healthy Subjects

This clinical study is an open-label, randomized, 4-period, 4-treatment, crossover, single-center, single-dose bioavailability study with alternate methods of administration of crushed naloxegol tablets, 25 mg and of a naloxegol solution formulation, 25 mg, compared to whole naloxegol tablets, 25 mg, in healthy subjects.

The main objective of this study is to determine the bioavailability of each of three alternative methods of naloxegol administration compared to whole naloxegol tablets given orally by assessment of the primary pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of naloxegol

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy Subjects; Bioavailability
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Naloxegol 25 mg tablet, crushed, suspended in water, given orally; Drug: Naloxegol 25mg tablet crushed, suspended in water, given via nasogastric tube; Drug: Naloxegol 25 mg (10 mL oral solution); Drug: Naloxegol 25 mg tablet, given orally

Detailed Description

This is an open-label, randomized, 4-period, 4-treatment, crossover, single-center, single-dose bioavailability study with alternate methods of administration of naloxegol: crushed and suspended in water and administered orally (Treatment A),crushed and suspended in water administered via nasogastric tube (Treatment B), solution administered orally (Treatment C) and tablet swallowed as a whole (Treatment D).

Alternative ways of administering a tablet may be useful to help patients who, for different reasons, have difficulties with swallowing a whole tablet. Administration of dispersed (crushed) tablets suspended in water is a common way of administering drugs to these patients. A useful method in patients whose condition prevents swallowing is administration of dispersed tablets through nasogastric tubes. Additionally a solution formulation may be an attractive option for some patients including the pediatric population. The main aim in this clinical study is to investigate whether the blood concentrations of naloxegol (pharmacokinetic) after each treatment A, B and C is comparable to that after treatment D. Additionally, the safety and tolerability shall be assessed.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 44
• Phase: Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Germany
  • Berlin, Germany
    • Research Site

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 55 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy male and female subjects aged 18 to 55 years with suitable veins for cannulation or repeated venipuncture.

• Females must have a negative pregnancy test at screening and on admission to the clinical unit, must not be lactating and must be of non childbearing potential, confirmed at screening by fulfilling one of the following criteria:

  • Post-menopausal defined as amenorrhea for at least 12 months or more following cessation of all exogenous hormonal treatments and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in the post-menopausal range.
  • Documentation of irreversible surgical sterilization by hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy or bilateral salpingectomy; but not tubal ligation.
• Have a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 29.9 kg/m2 inclusive and weigh at least 50 kg and no more than 100 kg inclusive.
• Able to understand, read and speak the German language.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of any clinically significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the potential subject at risk because of participation in the study, or influence the results or the potential subject's ability to participate in the study.
• Current smokers or those who have smoked or used nicotine products within the previous 3 months.
• Use of drugs with enzyme-inducing properties such as St John's Wort within 3 weeks prior to the first administration of IMP.

Drugs include known CYP3A4 and/or P-gp inhibitors and inducers, e.g., diltiazem, verapamil, and erythromycin

- Use of any prescribed or non-prescribed medication including antacids, analgesics (other than paracetamol/acetaminophen), herbal remedies, megadose vitamins (intake of 20 to 600 times the recommended daily dose) and minerals during 2 weeks prior to the first administration of IMP or longer if the medication has a long half-life.

For females, hormonal replacement therapy is not allowed.

• Subject with a relevant history of a suicide attempt or suicidal behavior. Any recent suicidal ideation within the last 6 months (a level of 4 or 5), or who are at significant risk to commit suicide, as judged by the investigator using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).
• Applicable to subjects willing to participate in genetic research: Non-leukocyte depleted whole blood transfusion within 120 days of the date of the genetic sample collection or previous bone marrow transplant.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

4

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Treatments A-D-B-C sequence; Treatment A in Period 1, Treatment D in Period 2, Treatment B in Period 3 and Treatment C in Period 4	Drug: Naloxegol 25 mg tablet, crushed, suspended in water, given orally; naloxegol 25 mg (1 tablet) crushed, suspended in water, given orally; Other Names: Treatment A; (Test product); Drug: Naloxegol 25mg tablet crushed, suspended in water, given via nasogastric tube; naloxegol 25 mg (1 tablet) crushed, suspended in water, given via nasogastric tube; Other Names: Treatment B; (Test product); Drug: Naloxegol 25 mg (10 mL oral solution); naloxegol 25 mg (10 mL oral solution); Other Names: (Test product); Treatment C; Drug: Naloxegol 25 mg tablet, given orally; naloxegol 25 mg (1 tablet) whole tablet, given orally; Other Names: Treatment D; (Reference product)
Experimental: Treatments B-A-C-D sequence; Treatment B in Period 1, Treatment A in Period 2, Treatment C in Period 3 and Treatment D in Period 4	Drug: Naloxegol 25 mg tablet, crushed, suspended in water, given orally; naloxegol 25 mg (1 tablet) crushed, suspended in water, given orally; Other Names: Treatment A; (Test product); Drug: Naloxegol 25mg tablet crushed, suspended in water, given via nasogastric tube; naloxegol 25 mg (1 tablet) crushed, suspended in water, given via nasogastric tube; Other Names: Treatment B; (Test product); Drug: Naloxegol 25 mg (10 mL oral solution); naloxegol 25 mg (10 mL oral solution); Other Names: (Test product); Treatment C; Drug: Naloxegol 25 mg tablet, given orally; naloxegol 25 mg (1 tablet) whole tablet, given orally; Other Names: Treatment D; (Reference product)
Experimental: Treatments C-B-D-A sequence; Treatment C in Period 1, Treatment B in Period 2, Treatment D in Period 3 and Treatment A in Period 4	Drug: Naloxegol 25 mg tablet, crushed, suspended in water, given orally; naloxegol 25 mg (1 tablet) crushed, suspended in water, given orally; Other Names: Treatment A; (Test product); Drug: Naloxegol 25mg tablet crushed, suspended in water, given via nasogastric tube; naloxegol 25 mg (1 tablet) crushed, suspended in water, given via nasogastric tube; Other Names: Treatment B; (Test product); Drug: Naloxegol 25 mg (10 mL oral solution); naloxegol 25 mg (10 mL oral solution); Other Names: (Test product); Treatment C; Drug: Naloxegol 25 mg tablet, given orally; naloxegol 25 mg (1 tablet) whole tablet, given orally; Other Names: Treatment D; (Reference product)
Experimental: Treatments D-C-A-B sequence; Treatment D in Period 1, Treatment C in Period 2, Treatment A in Period 3 and Treatment B in Period 4	Drug: Naloxegol 25 mg tablet, crushed, suspended in water, given orally; naloxegol 25 mg (1 tablet) crushed, suspended in water, given orally; Other Names: Treatment A; (Test product); Drug: Naloxegol 25mg tablet crushed, suspended in water, given via nasogastric tube; naloxegol 25 mg (1 tablet) crushed, suspended in water, given via nasogastric tube; Other Names: Treatment B; (Test product); Drug: Naloxegol 25 mg (10 mL oral solution); naloxegol 25 mg (10 mL oral solution); Other Names: (Test product); Treatment C; Drug: Naloxegol 25 mg tablet, given orally; naloxegol 25 mg (1 tablet) whole tablet, given orally; Other Names: Treatment D; (Reference product)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Area Under Plasma Concentration-time Curve From Time Zero Extrapolated to Infinity (AUC0-infinity).	Area under plasma concentration-time curve from time zero extrapolated to infinity (AUC) is presented below. Blood was collected pre-dose and 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours post-dose to determine naloxegol plasma concentrations.	Pre-dose (0 hours [within 30 minutes prior to administration of the investigational medicinal product (IMP)]) and post-dose at 0.25 (15 minutes), 0.5 (30 minutes), 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours in each treatment period.
Area Under the Plasma Concentration-time Curve From Time Zero to Time of Last Quantifiable Concentration (AUC 0-t).	Area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time of last quantifiable concentration is presented below. Blood was collected pre-dose and 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours post-dose to determine naloxegol plasma concentrations.	Pre-dose (0 hours [within 30 minutes prior to IMP administration]) and post-dose at 0.25 (15 minutes), 0.5 (30 minutes), 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours in each treatment period.
Observed Maximum Plasma Concentration (Cmax).	Observed maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) is presented below. Blood was collected pre-dose and 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours post-dose to determine naloxegol plasma concentrations.	Pre-dose (0 hours [within 30 minutes prior to IMP administration]) and post-dose at 0.25 (15 minutes), 0.5 (30 minutes), 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours in each treatment period.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Time to Reach Maximum Plasma Concentration (Tmax).	This was one of the PK parameters to determine the time to reach maximum plasma concentration (tmax). Blood was collected pre-dose and 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours post-dose to determine naloxegol plasma concentrations.	Pre-dose (0 hours [within 30 minutes prior to IMP administration]) and post-dose at 0.25 (15 minutes), 0.5 (30 minutes), 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours in each treatment period.
Half-life Associated With Terminal Slope (λz) of a Semi-logarithmic Concentration-time Curve (t½λz).	This was one of the PK parameters to determine λz of a t½λz. Blood was collected pre-dose and 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours post-dose to determine naloxegol plasma concentrations.	Pre-dose (0 hours [within 30 minutes prior to IMP administration]) and post-dose at 0.25 (15 minutes), 0.5 (30 minutes), 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours in each treatment period.
Mean Dissolution Time (MDT).	This was one of the PK parameters to determine MDT (whole tablet only) (calculated as MRT Treatment D [Reference] - MRT Treatment C [Test]). Blood was collected pre-dose and 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours post-dose to determine naloxegol plasma concentrations.	Pre-dose (0 hours [within 30 minutes prior to IMP administration]) and post-dose at 0.25 (15 minutes), 0.5 (30 minutes), 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours in each treatment period.
Mean Residence Time (MRT).	This was one of the PK parameters to determine MRT. Blood was collected pre-dose and 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours post-dose to determine naloxegol plasma concentrations.	Pre-dose (0 hours [within 30 minutes prior to IMP administration]) and post-dose at 0.25 (15 minutes), 0.5 (30 minutes), 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours in each treatment period.
Apparent Total Body Clearance After Extravascular Administration Estimated as Dose Divided by AUC (CL/F).	This was one of the PK parameters to determine the apparent total body clearance after extravascular administration estimated as dose divided by AUC. Blood was collected pre-dose and 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours post-dose to determine naloxegol plasma concentrations.	Pre-dose (0 hours [within 30 minutes prior to IMP administration]) and post-dose at 0.25 (15 minutes), 0.5 (30 minutes), 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours in each treatment period.
Apparent Volume of Distribution During the Terminal Phase After Extravascular Administration (Vz/F).	This was one of the PK parameters to determine the apparent volume of distribution during the terminal phase after extravascular administration.	Pre-dose (0 hours [within 30 minutes prior to IMP administration]) and post-dose at 0.25 (15 minutes), 0.5 (30 minutes), 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours in each treatment period.
Percentage of Participants With Adverse Events (AE).	An AE is the development of an undesirable medical condition or the deterioration of a pre-existing medical condition following or during exposure to a pharmaceutical product, whether or not considered causally related to the product.The term AE is used generally to include any AE whether serious or non-serious. An serious AE (SAE) is an AE that fulfills one or more of the following criteria: results in death, is immediately life-threatening; requires in-patient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization; results in persistent or significant disability or incapacity or substantial disruption of the ability to conduct normal life functions; is a congenital abnormality or birth defect; is an important medical event that may jeopardize the participant or may require medical intervention to prevent one of the outcomes listed above.	For up to 9 weeks (starting with screening).
Mean Change From Baseline for Vital Signs of Supine Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure.	The following variables were collected after the participants had rested in the supine position for at least 5 minutes: Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic BP. The measurement of vital signs for SBP and DBP are presented in the below outcome table.	Day 2 (24h post-dose), Day 3 (48h post-dose) and Day 4 (72h post-dose).
Mean Change From Baseline for Vital Signs in Supine Pulse Rate.	Pulse rate: the measurement of vital signs for pulse rate is presented in the below outcome table.	Day 2 (24h post-dose), Day 3 (48h post-dose) and Day 4 (72h post-dose).
Participants With Significant Findings in Physical Examination.	A complete physical examination included an assessment of the general appearance, respiratory, cardiovascular, abdomen, skin, head, and neck (including ears, eyes, nose, mouth and throat), lymph nodes, thyroid, musculoskeletal and neurological systems. Physical examination was performed to check for any significant abnormality in participants.	A full physical examination at screening and the final follow-up visit (maximum 9 weeks apart). Abbreviated physical examination on admission (on Day -1 of each treatment period) and at 48-hours post-dose to each treatment period (for up to 4 weeks).
Participants With Significant Findings in Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).	The C-SSRS is a unique, simple and short method of assessing both behavior and ideation that tracks all suicidal events, and provided a summary of suicidality. It assesses the lethality of attempts and other features of ideation (frequency, duration, controllability, reasons for ideation and deterrents), all of which are significantly predictive of completed suicide. The C-SSRS was performed to determine the presence of suicidality.	At Baseline and Days 1-4 of each treatment period.
Participants With Significant Findings in 12-Lead Electrocardiography (ECG).	A 12-lead ECG was obtained after the participant rested in supine position for at least 10 minutes. The study physician was to judge the overall interpretation as normal or abnormal. If abnormal, it was decided as to whether or not the abnormality was clinically significant and the reason for the abnormality was recorded.	At screening, first admission to the clinical unit (Visit 2, Day -1), 1.25 hours after each dose (Visits 2-5, Day 1), as well as at the final follow-up visit (up to 9 weeks).
Participants With Significant Findings in Hematology, Clinical Chemistry and Urinalysis.	Participants were assessed through each laboratory variables for any significant abnormalities. Hematology assessments included white blood cell count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and others. Clinical chemistry assessment included testing levels of sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine, albumin, calcium, glucose (fasting) and others. Urinalysis assessment included glucose, protein, blood and microscopy (if positive for blood or protein).	At screening and at the final follow-up visit (maximum 9 weeks apart); in addition, for the first and third treatment period at pre-dose.
Taste Test Assessment.	A standardized questionnaire was provided to participants and were asked to complete the questionnaire for the liquid formulations tested, i.e., Naloxegol crushed tablet, oral (Treatment A) and Naloxegol oral solution (Treatment C), without assistance or influence from site personnel. For each formulation, the questionnaire was identical and required the participant's opinion. Sweet, salty, sour, bitter, metallic, hot/spicy were rated on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 means not at all and 10 means extreme. The overall rating of the taste was rated on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 means "I dislike it extremely much" and 10 means "I like it extremely much". The smell of the medicine was based on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 means extremely bad and 10 means extremely nice. The question on whether the participants would consider ever taking the medicine again was based on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 means "Never - under no circumstances" and 10 means "Yes, definitely".	Within 1 hour after dosing (Treatments A and C only).

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: AstraZeneca
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Rainard Fuhr, Dr. med., PAREXEL International GmbH, Berlin

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Bui K, Birmingham B, Diva U, Berger B. An Open-Label, Randomized Bioavailability Study of Alternative Methods of Oral Administration of Naloxegol in Healthy Subjects. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. 2017 Jul;6(4):420-427. doi: 10.1002/cpdd.335. Epub 2017 Jan 27.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: May 1, 2015
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 1, 2015
• Study Completion (Actual): July 1, 2015

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 29, 2015
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 15, 2015
• First Posted (Estimate): May 18, 2015

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 10, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 30, 2017
• Last Verified: January 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Phase I; healthy subjects; naloxegol tablet crushed; naloxegol oral solution; naloxegol whole tablet; relative bioavailability
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Physiological Effects of Drugs; Peripheral Nervous System Agents; Sensory System Agents; Narcotic Antagonists; Naloxegol
• Other Study ID Numbers: D3820C00035

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No