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Model‐based approach to dose optimization of lopinavir/ritonavir when co‐administered with rifampicin
Author(s) -
Zhang Chao,
Denti Paolo,
Decloedt Eric,
Maartens Gary,
Karlsson Mats O.,
Simonsson Ulrika S. H.,
McIlleron Helen
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2011.04154.x
Subject(s) - lopinavir , ritonavir , lopinavir/ritonavir , pharmacology , pharmacokinetics , rifampicin , medicine , population , bioavailability , virology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , viral load , tuberculosis , environmental health , pathology , antiretroviral therapy
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Doubling the dose of lopinavir/ritonavir overcomes the effect of rifampicin on lopinavir concentrations. However, lopinavir concentrations are highly variable and side effects occur commonly. Hence optimized dosing could limit the number of patients exposed to high lopinavir concentrations while maintaining adequate lopinavir concentrations. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • We built an integrated population pharmacokinetic model of lopinavir and ritonavir, describing the drug–drug interactions between lopinavir, ritonavir and rifampicin. Based on this model, we have predicted that lower doses of lopinavir/ritonavir can be used in patients weighing less than 50 kg. Also, diurnal variations on lopinavir and ritonavir were investigated for both bioavailability and clearance. AIMS Rifampicin, a key component of antitubercular treatment, profoundly reduces lopinavir concentrations. The aim of this study was to develop an integrated population pharmacokinetic model accounting for the drug–drug interactions between lopinavir, ritonavir and rifampicin, and to evaluate optimal doses of lopinavir/ritonavir when co‐administered with rifampicin. METHODS Steady‐state pharmacokinetics of lopinavir and ritonavir were sequentially evaluated after the introduction of rifampicin and gradually escalating the dose in a cohort of 21 HIV‐infected adults. Intensive pharmacokinetic sampling was performed after each dose adjustment following a morning dose administered after fasting overnight. A population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted using NONMEM 7. RESULTS A simultaneous integrated model was built. Rifampicin reduced the oral bioavailability of lopinavir and ritonavir by 20% and 45% respectively, and it increased their clearance by 71% and 36% respectively. With increasing concentrations of ritonavir, clearance of lopinavir decreased in an E max relationship. Bioavailability was 42% and 45% higher for evening doses compared with morning doses for lopinavir and ritonavir, respectively, while oral clearance of both drugs was 33% lower overnight. Simulations predicted that 99.5% of our patients receiving doubled doses of lopinavir/ritonavir achieve morning trough concentrations of lopinavir > 1 mg l −1 during rifampicin co‐administration, and 95% of those weighing less than 50 kg achieve this target already with 600/150 mg doses of lopinavir/ritonavir. CONCLUSIONS The model describes the drug–drug interactions between lopinavir, ritonavir and rifampicin in adults. The higher trough concentrations observed in the morning were explained by both higher bioavailability with the evening meal and lower clearance overnight.