Drug Design, Development and Therapy (Feb 2024)

Pharmacokinetic Comparison Between a Fixed-Dose Combination of Atorvastatin/Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters and the Corresponding Loose Combination in Healthy Korean Male Subjects

  • Khwarg J,
  • Lee S,
  • Jang IJ,
  • Kang WH,
  • Lee HJ,
  • Kim KY,
  • Jeong KS,
  • Won C,
  • Choi YW,
  • Ha DC,
  • Jung R,
  • Han MG,
  • Jung WT,
  • Nam KY,
  • Kim YS,
  • Yu KS,
  • Oh J

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 18
pp. 395 – 406

Abstract

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Juyoung Khwarg,1 Soyoung Lee,1,2 In-Jin Jang,1 Won-Ho Kang,3 Hye Jung Lee,4 Kyu Yeon Kim,4 Ki-Sun Jeong,4 Chongho Won,4 Youn Woong Choi,5 Dae Chul Ha,5 RaeHoon Jung,5 Min-Gu Han,5 Won Tae Jung,6 Kyu-Yeol Nam,6 YeSeul Kim,6 Kyung-Sang Yu,1 Jaeseong Oh1,7 1Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 2Integrated Major in Innovative Medical Science, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 3R&D Center, Korea United Pharm. Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea; 4Caleb Multilab, Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea; 5R&D Center, Korea United Pharm.Inc., Sejong, Republic of Korea; 6Global R&D, Korea United Pharm. Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea; 7Department of Pharmacology, Jeju National University College of Medicine, Jeju, Republic of KoreaCorrespondence: Jaeseong Oh, Department of Pharmacology, Jeju National University College of Medicine, 15, Aran 13-gil, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, 63241, Republic of Korea, Email [email protected]: Statins are widely used in combination with omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of patients with dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of atorvastatin and omega-3-acid ethyl esters between fixed-dose combination (FDC) and loose combination in healthy subjects.Methods: A randomized, open-label, single-dose, 2-sequence, 2-treatment, 4-period replicated crossover study was performed. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the 2 sequences and alternately received four FDC soft capsules of atorvastatin/omega-3-acid ethyl esters (10/1000 mg) or a loose combination of atorvastatin tablets (10 mg × 4) and omega-3-acid ethyl ester soft capsules (1000 mg× 4) for four periods, each period accompanied by a high-fat meal. Serial blood samples were collected for PK analysis of atorvastatin, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). PK parameters were calculated by a non-compartmental analysis. The geometric mean ratio (GMR) and its 90% confidence interval (CI) of the FDC to the loose combination were calculated to compare PK parameters.Results: A total of 43 subjects completed the study as planned. The GMR (90% CI) of FDC to loose combination for maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the time-concentration curve from zero to the last measurable point (AUClast) were 1.0931 (1.0054– 1.1883) and 0.9885 (0.9588– 1.0192) for atorvastatin, 0.9607 (0.9068– 1.0178) and 0.9770 (0.9239– 1.0331) for EPA, and 0.9961 (0.9127– 1.0871) and 0.9634 (0.8830– 1.0512) for DHA, respectively. The intra-subject variability for Cmax and AUClast of DHA was 30.8% and 37.5%, respectively, showing high variability. Both the FDC and the loose combination were safe and well tolerated.Conclusion: The FDC of atorvastatin and omega-3-acid ethyl esters showed comparable PK characteristics to the corresponding loose combination, offering a convenient therapeutic option for the treatment of dyslipidemia. Keywords: pharmacokinetics, cardiovascular disease

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