Bioavailability of intranasal formulations of dihydroergotamine.
OBJECTIVE: A comparison of the pharmacokinetic properties of two novel intranasal preparations of dihydroergotamine mesilate (DHEM) with a commercially available intranasal preparation. METHODS: Two intranasal formulations of DHEM in combination with randomly methylated beta-cyclodextrin (RAMEB) were prepared. Subsequently, in an open, randomised, crossover study in nine healthy volunteers, the following medication was administered: 2 mg DHEM/2% RAMEB nasal spray (= two puffs of 100 microliters); 2 mg DHEM/4 mg RAMEB nasal powder; 2 mg Diergo nasal spray (= four puffs of 125 microliters); 0.5 mg DHEM i.m., and 2 mg DHEM solution p.o. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), time to reach Cmax (tmax), area under plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-8 h), Frel(t = 8 h) and Cmax/AUC(t = 8 h) for the three intranasal preparations. The relative bioavailabilities of the DHEM/RAMEB nasal spray, the DHEM/RAMEB nasal powder and the commercially available DHEM nasal spray were 25%, 19% and 21%, respectively, in comparison with i.m. administration. The relative bioavailability after oral administration was 8%. CONCLUSION: The pharmacokinetic properties of the novel intranasal preparations are not significantly different from the commercially available nasal spray. Advantages of the DHEM/RAMEB nasal spray are (1) less complicated handling, (2) reduction of the number of puffs and (3) a preference by the volunteers.