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Biomedical subjects

J Säwe

Publications and source records attributed to J Säwe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Incorrect use and limited weight reduction of orlistat (Xenical) in clinical practice. A cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prescribing of the antiobesity drug orlistat in relation to the approved indication and its weight-reducing effect in clinical practice during the first 3 months of treatment. METHODS: Anonymous postal questionnaire survey to prescribers of orlistat concerning a random sample of 1000 of 20,000 prescriptions. PARTICIPANTS: Useful information was obtained for 789 patients. SETTING: Primary and secondary care in Sweden. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Beginning and continued treatment according to the approved indication. Dropout from treatment. Weight loss during treatment. RESULTS: Four percent of the patients were prescribed orlistat despite having a body mass index (BMI) less than 28 kg/m2. Only 24% of the patients had a diet period with a weight loss of 2.5 kg or greater before the start of therapy. Half of the patients with a weight loss of less than 5% after 3 months continued the treatment. Ten percent gained weight or had no weight loss at all while 43% lost less than 5% in weight. At least one-quarter of the patients stopped the treatment within the observation period. CONCLUSION: Orlistat was not prescribed according to the approved indication in the majority of cases. The dropout rate was high and most patients had minor gain from the treatment.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetic interaction between single oral doses of diltiazem and sirolimus in healthy volunteers.

AIM AND BACKGROUND: The pharmacokinetic interaction between sirolimus, a macrolide immunosuppressant metabolized by CYP3A4, and the calcium channel blocker diltiazem was studied in 18 healthy subjects. Several clinically important interactions have previously been reported for other immunosuppressive drugs that are metabolized by the same enzyme and for calcium antagonists. METHODS: Healthy subjects who were 20 to 43 years old participated in an open, three-period, randomized, crossover study of the pharmacokinetics of a single 10-mg oral dose of sirolimus, a single oral 120-mg dose of diltiazem, and the two drugs given together. The three study periods were separated by a 21-day washout phase. RESULTS: The geometric mean (90% confidence interval) whole blood sirolimus area under the plasma concentration time-curve increased 60% (35%-90%), from 736 to 1178 ng x h/mL, and maximum concentration increased 43% (14%-81%), from 67 to 96 ng/mL, with diltiazem coadministration, whereas the mean elimination half-life of sirolimus decreased slightly, from 79 to 67 hours. Apparent oral clearance and volume of distribution of sirolimus decreased with 38% and 45%, respectively, when sirolimus was given with diltiazem. The plasma maximum concentration and area under the plasma concentration-time curve of diltiazem, desacetyldiltiazem, and desmethyldiltiazem were unchanged after coadministration of sirolimus, and no potentiation of the effects of diltiazem on diastolic or systolic blood pressure or on the electrocardiographic parameters was seen. CONCLUSIONS: Single-dose diltiazem coadministration leads to higher sirolimus exposure, presumably by inhibition of the first-pass metabolism of sirolimus. Because of the pronounced intersubject variability in the extent of the sirolimus-diltiazem interaction, whole blood sirolimus concentrations should be monitored closely in patients treated with the two drugs.

Administration, Oral↗

Determination of ketobemidone and its metabolites in plasma and urine using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The authors developed a sensitive, specific, and rapid liquid chromatography--mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method for determining ketobemidone and its major metabolites in plasma and urine. The method involves a solid-phase extraction, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and electrospray mass spectrometry. The limit of quantification for ketobemidone and norketobemidone was 3 nmol/L. Recovery rates for ketobemidone and norketobemidone were 84.8% and 81.1%, respectively. Coefficients of variation (CV) ranged from 2.8 % to 9.5%. The method was used to determine ketobemidone and its major metabolites in clinical samples from relevant patient groups.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 2D6 modifies codeine abuse liability.

Oral codeine preparations, widely used for analgesia and cough suppression, are abused by some individuals for their mood-altering properties. The enzymatic O-demethylation of codeine is catalyzed by cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6), leading to the production of metabolites (morphine, morphine-6-glucuronide) that are pharmacologically more potent than codeine. A placebo-controlled, single-blind study was conducted to characterize the subjective effects of codeine associated with abuse liability and to determine the importance of metabolic O-demethylation to codeine abuse liability. Twelve non-drug-dependent subjects received oral administration of placebo and codeine 60, 120, and 180 mg, and a favorite dose (FD) was determined for each subject. The FD was readministered after pretreatment with placebo, 50 mg of quinidine (a specific, selective CYP2D6 inhibitor) once, or 50 mg of quinidine given four times a day for 4 days. Single-dose quinidine pretreatment significantly decreased the recovery of O-demethylated metabolites in plasma (p < 0.01) and resulted in a decrease in the positive (e.g., "high," p < 0.05) and negative (e.g., nausea, p < 0.05) subjective effects of codeine in both the FD120 and FD180 groups. Short-term quinidine pretreatment inhibited codeine O-demethylation more than did single-dose quinidine pretreatment (p < 0.01), and it decreased positive codeine effects in the FD120 group (N = 7), but unexpectedly not in the FD180 group (N = 5). These results suggest that the O-demethylated metabolites contribute substantially to the subjective effects and abuse liability of codeine.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetics and safety of single oral doses of sirolimus (rapamycin) in healthy male volunteers.

A phase I study was conducted to determine the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of sirolimus, a new immunosuppressive drug, in 45 healthy men between 19 and 36 years of age. Nine subjects in each group were randomly assigned to receive single oral doses of either sirolimus (n = 6) or placebo (n = 3) in group I (0.3 mg/m2), group II (1 mg/m2), group III (3 mg/m2), group IV (5 mg/m2) and group V (8 mg/m2). No serious adverse events occurred during the study. Twenty-eight of the 45 volunteers (62%) reported an adverse event; 19 of 30 (63%) were in the sirolimus group and 9 of 15 (60%) were in the placebo group (ns). Asthenia was the most common adverse event, occurring in 7 of 30 (23%) in the sirolimus group compared with 6 of 15 (40%) in the placebo group (ns). Absorption occurred within 1 hour in all volunteers. Whole blood peak concentration and area under the concentration-time curve increased proportionally with dose. Mean (+/- SD) whole blood terminal disposition half-life (t1/2), apparent oral dose clearance (Cl/F), and volume of distribution (Vss/F) were 82 +/- 12 hours, 278 +/- 117 mL/h x kg and 23 +/- 10 L/kg, respectively. Distribution of sirolimus into formed blood elements was extensive, with a mean whole blood-to-plasma ratio of 36. Single oral doses of sirolimus (0.3 to 8 mg/m2) solution were well tolerated in healthy male volunteers.

Administration, Oral↗

Effect of codeine on oro-cecal transit time in Chinese healthy volunteers in comparison with Caucasian subjects.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of codeine on oro-cecal transit time (OCTT) in Chinese subjects. METHODS: OCTT was measured with the hydrogen breath test in 12 Chinese healthy volunteers on two occasions: after placebo and after a single oral dose of codeine 50 mg. Codeine and its metabolites in urine were measured by HPLC. The Results of this study were compared with those previously obtained from Caucasian subjects. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The mean OCTT increased significantly after a single oral dose of codeine 50 mg [2.6 (1.2) h] compared with placebo [1.9 (0.6) h] in the Chinese subjects (P = 0.05). The increase in OCTT after codeine was similar in the Caucasian [0.9 (0.8) h] and in the Chinese subjects [0.7 (0.9) h]. However, the Chinese subjects had a significantly longer OCTT after placebo [1.9 (0.6) h] compared with the Caucasian subjects [1.3 (0.6) h, P < 0.05], possibly due to different environmental factors.

Adult↗

Tacrolimus whole blood concentrations correlate closely to side-effects in renal transplant recipients.

AIMS: To evaluate the relationship between tacrolimus whole blood concentrations and side-effects and rejections in 14 renal transplant recipients. METHODS: Tacrolimus was measured by MEIA in whole blood in samples collected repeatedly during the first year after transplantation. Retrospectively, tacrolimus trough concentrations on the days with adverse events (n=172) or rejection (n=28) were related to the total distribution of the concentration values (n=656). RESULTS: Side-effects (one or more) were noted in connection with 76% of tacrolimus concentrations above 30 ng ml-1, with 41% of concentrations within the interval of 20-30 ng ml-1, with 26% of the concentrations within the interval of 10-20 ng ml-1 and with only 5.3% on the concentrations lower than 10 ng ml-1. No relation to the tacrolimus concentration was seen for rejection episodes. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that therapeutic drug monitoring may be helpful in the management of tacrolimus therapy and that tacrolimus whole blood trough concentrations (MEIA) should preferably be kept below 20 ng ml-1 to avoid side-effects, such as nephro-and neurotoxicity and infections. The lower limit of the therapeutic range has yet to be defined.

Adult↗

A simple HPLC method for simultaneous determination of mycophenolic acid and mycophenolic acid glucuronide in plasma.

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of mycophenolic acid and its metabolite, mycophenolic acid glucuronide, is presented herein. Sample purification is limited to protein precipitation with acetonitrile. The analytes were separated on a C18 column with a mobile phase containing 30% acetonitrile and a 40 mm phosphoric acid buffer at pH 2.1 and measured with UV-detection at 215 nm.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Hyperlipidemia in renal transplant recipients treated with sirolimus (rapamycin).

BACKGROUND: Sirolimus is an interesting immunosuppressive drug that does not seem to cause nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, or diabetogenicity, as commonly seen in patients treated with cyclosporine or tacrolimus. In this report, we describe a possible association between sirolimus and observed hyperlipidemia. METHODS: Serum levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were analyzed in 11 patients who participated in a pilot study evaluating the effect of oral sirolimus or placebo combined with cyclosporine and corticosteroids on the occurrence of acute renal transplant rejection. RESULTS: In four of nine patients given sirolimus, significantly increased serum triglyceride levels were seen, with peak levels occurring 2-4 months after transplantation and ranging between 11.7 and 42.0 mmol/L (reference value <2.2 mmol/L). In two patients given placebo, the serum triglyceride levels remained below 5.0 mmol/L. After reduction or discontinuation of sirolimus, the serum triglyceride levels decreased within 1-2 months and after 1-8 months levels had returned to their pretransplant values. A significant increase in serum cholesterol levels was seen in one of nine patients given sirolimus. CONCLUSION: It seems that long-term treatment with sirolimus in combination with cyclosporine and corticosteroids may increase the risk of hypertriglyceridemia.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Near fatal intoxication with controlled-release morphine tablets in a depressed woman.

BACKGROUND: A 46-year-old woman suffering from a reactive depression was admitted to the emergency room in coma and with severe respiratory failure. She later developed cardiovascular instability and general convulsions. Two days following admission the patient had no respiratory effort but was able to communicate in writing that she had ingested a large amount of controlled-release morphine tablets. Following treatment with naloxone she was successfully weaned from the respirator the next day. METHODS: Sampling for determination of plasma and urine concentrations of morphine and its metabolites morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) and morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) was started 60 h after the presumed time of intake and continued up to 8 days after admission. RESULTS: The initial plasma concentrations of morphine, M3G and M6G were 2160, 13100 and 2330 nM, respectively, compatible with a lethal dose in an opioid-naive patient. The urinary recovery of morphine, M3G and M6G corresponded to 6.8 mmol, equivalent to an oral intake of at least 2500 mg. CONCLUSION: The plasma concentrations of morphine and morphine metabolites documented in this case, indicative of considerable absorption of drug, demonstrate that prolonged observation is necessary following intoxications with controlled-release morphine tablets. This case also highlights the importance of continuous follow-up of oral morphine therapy, so that unused drug is not left unaccounted for in the patient's home.

Absorption↗

Determination of acyclovir and its metabolite 9-carboxymethoxymethylguanine in serum and urine using solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography.

A reversed-phase ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of acyclovir and its metabolite 9-carboxymethoxymethylguanine is described. The sample are purified by reversed-phase solid-phase extraction. The components are separated on a C18 column with a mobile phase containing 18% acetonitrile, 5 mM dodecyl sulphate and 30 mM phosphate buffer, pH 2.1, and measured by fluorescence detection using an excitation wavelength of 285 nm and an emission wavelength of 380 nm. Detection limits are 0.12 microM (plasma) and 0.60 microM (urine) for acyclovir, and 0.26 microM (plasma) and 1.3 microM (urine) for metabolite. Correlation coefficients that were better than 0.998 were obtained normally. This analytical method, which enables simultaneous measurement of parent compound and metabolite, has been used in kinetics studies and for therapeutic drug monitoring in different patient groups with variable degrees of renal dysfunction.

Acyclovir↗

Different effects of inhibitors on the O- and N-demethylation of codeine in human liver microsomes.

OBJECTIVE: The O- and N-demethylation of codeine is catalysed by CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 respectively. The formation rates of morphine by O-demethylation and norcodeine by N-demethylation were studied in two sets of human liver microsomes. RESULTS: Relatively high K(m) values were found for both O- and N-demethylations, suggesting a low affinity to the corresponding enzymes. The inhibitory effects of various drugs were found to be different for O- and N-demethylations. The substrates of CYP2D6 such as thioridazine, amitriptyline and metoprolol inhibited the O-demethylation of codeine preferentially, while the substrates of CYP3A4 such as cyclosporine A, midazolam and erythromycin were all strong inhibitors of the N-demethylation of codeine. Quinidine and lignocaine, although they are substrates of CYP3A, showed preferential inhibition over the O-demethylation of codeine, suggesting a low affinity to the CYP3A. Methadone and dextropropoxyphene showed a preferential inhibition of CYP2D6 over CYP3A, while theophylline did not inhibit the O- or N-demethylation to a greater extent. CONCLUSION: It seems that there was a good correspondence between the capacity of drugs to inhibit the O- and N-demethylation of codeine in human liver microsomes and their apparent metabolism by CYP2D6 or CYP3A4, respectively in vivo in man, suggesting that this in vitro inhibition test may be a useful screen for drugs which interact with these two important drug-metabolising enzymes.

Codeine↗

The effect of codeine on gastrointestinal transit in extensive and poor metabolisers of debrisoquine.

METHODS: Codeine (50 mg) was administered to 12 extensive metabolisers (EM) and 12 poor metabolisers (PM) of debrisoquine. The oro-caecal transit time was estimated by the hydrogen breath test. The urinary excretion of codeine and metabolites during a 6-h interval was estimated after simultaneous analysis of codeine, morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G), morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G), morphine (M), normorphine (NM), norcodeine, norcodeine glucuronide and codeine-6-glucuronide using HPLC. RESULTS: The mean transit times after placebo were 1.3 h in the EM and 1.4 h in the PM. The corresponding figures after ingestion of codeine were 2.2 h and 2.1 h. The differences between the groups were statistically and clinically insignificant. The effect of codeine compared with placebo was significantly different in both groups. As expected, the metabolites of the O-demethylation pathway, M, M6G, M3G and NM were significantly lower in the PM. Interestingly, the recovery of the dose in the form of codeine (> 1.7 times) and norcodeine (> 2.5 times) was significantly higher in the PM, indicating compensatory metabolism via N-demethylation. CONCLUSION: In contrast to the analgesic effect, the prolongation of gastrointestinal transit caused by the drug does not depend on the formation of O-demethylated active metabolites M, M6G or NM.

Adult↗

Indices and graphical approaches for the detection of interindividual and interethnic variations in codeine metabolism.

AIMS: To evaluate the use of different graphical methods and statistical tests in the detection of interindividual and interethnic variations in codeine metabolism. Various urinary metabolic ratios (MR) for codeine O-demethylation were also compared for their ability to determine phenotype. METHODS: Frequency histograms, normal test variable (NTV) plots and admixture analysis were used to examine the distributions of the urinary MRs for codeine O-demethylation, N-demethylation and glucuronidation in 132 Caucasian and 222 Chinese subjects. RESULTS: In the Caucasian population, apparent bimodality was shown in both a frequency histogram and NTV plot of the log MR of codeine O-demethylation (codeine/(morphine (M) + M-3 and M-6-glucuronide (M3G and M6G) + normorphine (NM)). Admixture analysis confirmed the co-segregation of codeine O-demethylation and debrisoquine hydroxylation. The antimode for the codeine O-demethylation MR between extensive and poor metabolisers was located between 5.5 and 8.3. A simplified MR for codeine O-demethylation (codeine/M3G) demonstrated a similar correlation with the debrisoquine MR to the more complex MR, allowing a simplification of the analytical method for phenotyping. The Chinese population had significantly higher median MRs for codeine N-demethylation, O-demethylation and glucuronidation, which was shown clearly in the frequency histograms, but not in the NTV plots. CONCLUSION: A histogram seems preferable over a NTV plot for assigning phenotype using the codeine O-demethylation MR, because it is clear and simple. Interethnic difference in the metabolism of codeine are also better visualised from the histograms.

Adult↗

Determination of rapamycin in whole blood by HPLC.

Sirolimus (rapamycin, RAPA) is a natural fermentation product (macrolide antibiotic) that has demonstrated potent immunosuppressive activity. A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is described for analysis of the drug in whole blood. The samples are purified by using liquid-liquid extraction with butyl chloride/diethyl ether combined with reversed-phase solid-phase extraction. RAPA and internal standard were traced by UV-detection at 278 nm. Linear calibration curves with correlation coefficients > 0.999 were obtained (range, 1-50 ng/ml). Minimum detectable concentration was approximately 0.4 ng/ml and recovery approximately 45% for both RAPA and internal standard. Coefficient of variation (day to day) was 9.8% at 5 ng/ml (n = 6) and 5.6% at 40 ng/ml (n = 6). The chromatography requires < 10 min per sample. The assay has proved to be free of interference peaks from cyclosporine or tacrolimus. The method has been used to determine the whole blood concentrations in samples from healthy volunteers and renal transplant recipients receiving single and multiple doses of oral rapamycin.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗