Comparison of Pharmacokinetics and Safety of a Fixed-dose Combination of Rosuvastatin and Ezetimibe Versus Separate Tablets in Healthy Subjects

Clin Ther. 2017 Sep;39(9):1799-1810. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.07.038. Epub 2017 Aug 10.

Abstract

Purpose: Rosuvastatin and ezetimibe are concomitantly used for dyslipidemia treatment. Compared with separate tablets, fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablets of rosuvastatin/ezetimibe could increase patient compliance. The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of an FDC tablet of rosuvastatin/ezetimibe and co-administration of rosuvastatin and ezetimibe as separate tablets in healthy Korean volunteers.

Methods: This trial was a randomized, open-label, single-dose, 2-way crossover study. The healthy subjects received an FDC tablet of rosuvastatin 20 mg/ezetimibe 10 mg (test) or co-administration of rosuvastatin 20 mg and ezetimibe 10 mg (reference) in each period (periods 1 and 2), with a 14-day washout period. The blood samples for PK analysis were collected predose and up to 96 hours after administration, and safety was assessed throughout the study.

Findings: Sixty-four healthy Korean subjects were enrolled, and 57 subjects completed the study. All subjects were men and mean age was 28.52 ± 5.93. The geometric least squares mean ratios (test/reference) and 90% CIs of Cmax and AUC0-last were 101.54% (94.03-109.65) and 97.71% (91.86-103.93) for rosuvastatin, 108.93% (98.55-120.40) and 102.90% (96.72-109.47) for free ezetimibe, and 106.74% (98.18-116.05) and 104.24 % (99.53-109.17) for total ezetimibe. Twenty-four adverse events (AEs) were reported in 22 subjects. Three cases were related to the study drugs; 2 cases were mild, and 1 case was severe. However, all AEs were resolved without any sequelae. In addition, there were no serious AEs throughout the study.

Implications: The FDC tablet of rosuvastatin/ezetimibe was well tolerated and resulted in comparable systemic exposure with co-administration of rosuvastatin and ezetimibe. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02941848.

Keywords: ezetimibe; fixed-dose combination; pharmacokinetics; rosuvastatin.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Area Under Curve
  • Asian People
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Drug Combinations
  • Ezetimibe / administration & dosage
  • Ezetimibe / adverse effects*
  • Ezetimibe / pharmacokinetics*
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rosuvastatin Calcium / administration & dosage
  • Rosuvastatin Calcium / adverse effects*
  • Rosuvastatin Calcium / pharmacokinetics*
  • Tablets
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • Tablets
  • Rosuvastatin Calcium
  • Ezetimibe

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02941848