Pharmacokinetic interactions between sirolimus and microemulsion cyclosporine when orally administered jointly and 4 hours apart in healthy volunteers.

Sirolimus (RAPA) and cyclosporine (CsA) are immunosuppressive compounds that are being used concomitantly in renal transplant patients. Both drugs are dosed orally, have common intestinal and hepatic metabolism and intestinal transport mechanisms, and thus offer potential for pharmacokinetic drug interactions. A single-dose, open-label, four-period, four-treatment, randomized crossover study was completed in 15 male and 6 female volunteers. Each subject received a 10-mg oral dose of RAPA alone (Rapamune Oral Solution), a 300-mg oral dose of CsA alone (3 x 100-mg Neoral Soft Gelatin Capsules), RAPA and CsA jointly, and CsA followed by RAPA delayed by 4 hours. Blood samples were collected for either 144 hours (RAPA) or 48 hours (CsA) and analyzed by either liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (RAPA) or radioimmunoassay (CsA). RAPA bioavailability was markedly increased by CsA when given jointly, with Cmax,tmax, and AUC being increased 116%, 92%, and 230%, respectively. However, when RAPA was administered 4 hours after CsA, increases in RAPA Cmax, tmax, and AUC were only 37%, 58%, and 80%, respectively. CsA did not affect t1/2 or mean residence time (MRT) by either mode of combined administration. RAPA did not significantly affect CsA bioavailability after either joint or delayed combined administrations. It was concluded that CsA markedly increases the bioavailability of RAPA, which may be attributed to a large intestinal and hepatic first-pass effect, rather than altered elimination. RAPA did not affect the bioavailability of CsA.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes