Drug Design, Development and Therapy (Jun 2024)
Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Semaglutide: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Xi-Ding Yang,1,2 Yong-Yu Yang1,3 1Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China; 2Phase I Clinical Trial Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China; 3Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Central of Translational Medical and Innovative Drug, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yong-Yu Yang, Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: The aim of this review was to provide all the pharmacokinetic data for semaglutide in humans concerning its pharmacokinetics after subcutaneously and oral applications in healthy and diseased populations, to provide recommendations for clinical use.Methodology: The PubMed and Embase databases were searched to screen studies associated with the pharmacokinetics of semaglutide. The pharmacokinetic parameters included area under the curve plasma concentrations (AUC), maximal plasma concentration (Cmax), time to Cmax, half-life (t1/2), and clearance. The systematic literature search retrieved 17 articles including data on pharmacokinetic profiles after subcutaneously and oral applications of semaglutide, and at least one of the above pharmacokinetic parameter was reported in all included studies.Results: Semaglutide has a predictable pharmacokinetic profile with a long t1/2 that allows for once-weekly subcutaneous administration. The AUC and Cmax of both oral and subcutaneous semaglutide increased with dose. Food and various dosing conditions including water volume and dosing schedules can affect the oral semaglutide exposure. There are limited drug–drug interactions and no dosing adjustments in patients with upper gastrointestinal disease, renal impairment or hepatic impairment. Body weight may affect semaglutide exposure, but further studies are needed to confirm this.Conclusion: This review encompasses all the pharmacokinetic data for subcutaneous and oral semaglutide in both healthy and diseased participants. The existing pharmacokinetic data can assist in developing and evaluating pharmacokinetic models of semaglutide and will help clinicians predict semaglutide dosages. In addition, it can also help optimize future clinical trials.Keywords: Pharmacokinetics, semaglutide, curve plasma concentrations, type 2 diabetes, obesity, glucagon-like peptide-1, drug–drug interaction
