Quality assurance of rifampicin-containing fixed-drug combinations in South Africa: dosing implications
OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN: We performed an open-label, three-way cross-over study of three licensed RMP-containing formulations widely used in South Africa to evaluate the bioavailability of RMP in a two-drug fixed-dose combination tablet (2FDC) and a four-drug FDC (4FDC) against a single-drug reference. RMP dosed at 600 mg was administered 2 weeks apart in random sequence. Plasma RMP concentrations were measured pre-dose and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h post-dose. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0–12) of the FDCs was compared to the single drug reference. Simulations were used to predict the impact of our findings.
RESULTS: Twenty healthy volunteers (median age 22.8 years, body mass index 24.2 kg/m2) completed the study. The AUC0–12 of the 4FDC/reference (geometric mean ratio [GMR] 78%, 90%CI 69–89) indicated an average 20% reduction in RMP bioavailability in the 4FDC. The 2FDC/reference (GMR 104%, 90%CI 97–111) was bioequivalent. Simulations suggested dose adjustments to compensate for the poor bioavailability of RMP with the 4FDC, and revised weight-band doses to prevent systematic underdosing of low-weight patients.
CONCLUSION: Post-marketing surveillance of in vivo bioavailability of RMP and improved weight band-based dosing are recommended.
Keywords: bioavailability; bioequivalence; dose; pharmacokinetic; tuberculosis
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: 1: Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 2: Clinical Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Publication date: 01 May 2018
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