Source: Health Products Regulatory Authority (ZA) Revision Year: 2022 Publisher: Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd, 14 Lautre Road, Stormill, Ext.1, Roodepoort, 1724, South Africa
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Category A, 20.2.8 Antiviral Agents
ATC Code: JO5AR02
Lamivudine, a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), is a selective inhibitor of HIV-1 and HIV-2 replication in vitro.
Lamivudine is metabolised intracellularly to the 5'-triphosphate which has an intracellular half-life of 16–19 hours. Lamivudine 5'-triphosphate is a weak inhibitor of the RNA and DNA dependent activities of HIV reverse transcriptase, its mode of action is a chain terminator of HIV reverse transcription.
Reduced in vitro sensitivity to lamivudine has been reported for HIV isolates from patients who have received lamivudine therapy.
Lamivudine-resistant HIV-1 mutants are cross-resistant to didanosine and zalcitabine. In some patients treated with zidovudine plus didanosine or zalcitabine, isolates resistant to multiple reverse transcriptase inhibitors, including lamivudine, have emerged.
Lamivudine does not interfere with cellular deoxynucleotide metabolism and has little effect on mammalian cell and mitochondrial DNA content.
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is an acyclic nucleoside phosphonate diester analogue of adenosine monophosphate and is converted in vivo to tenofovir. It is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Tenofovir is phosphorylated by cellular enzymes to form tenofovir diphosphate. Tenofovir diphosphate inhibits the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, by competing with the natural substrate deoxyadenosine 5'-triphosphate and, after incorporation in DNA, by chain termination. Tenofovir diphosphate is a weak inhibitor of mammalian DNA polymerases α, β, and mitochondrial DNA polymerase γ.
HIV-1 isolates with reduced susceptibility to tenofovir have been selected in vitro and a K65R mutation in reverse transcriptase have been selected in vitro and in some patients treated with tenofovir in combination with certain antiretroviral medicines. In treatment-naïve patients treated with tenofovir + lamivudine + efavirenz, viral isolates from 17% patients with virologic failure showed reduced susceptibility to tenofovir.
In treatment-experienced patients, some of the tenofovir-treated patients with virologic failure through week 96 showed reduced susceptibility to tenofovir. Genotypic analysis of the resistant isolates showed a mutation in the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase gene resulting in the K65R amino acid substitution.
Cross-resistance among certain reverse transcriptase inhibitors has been recognised. The K65R mutation can also be selected by abacavir, didanosine or zalcitabine and results in reduced susceptibility to these medicines plus lamivudine, emtricitabine and tenofovir. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate should be avoided in antiretroviral experienced patients with strains harbouring the K65R mutation. Patients with HIV-1 expressing three or more thymidine analogue associated mutations (TAMs) that included either the M41L or L210W reverse transcriptase mutation showed reduced susceptibility to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.
The in vitro antiviral activity of tenofovir against laboratory and clinical isolates of HIV-1 has been assessed in lymphoblastoid cell lines, primary monocyte/macrophage cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes. The IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) values for tenofovir were in the range of 0,04 µM to 8,5 µM. In medicine combination studies of tenofovir with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (abacavir, didanosine, lamivudine, stavudine, zalcitabine, zidovudine), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (delavirdine, efavirenz, nevirapine), and protease inhibitors (amprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir), additive to synergistic effects were observed. Tenofovir displayed antiviral activity in vitro against HIV-1 clades A, B, C, D, E, F, G and O (IC50 values ranged from 0,5 µM to 2,2 µM). The IC50 values of tenofovir against HIV-2 ranged from 1,6 µM to 4,9 µM.
Dolutegravir inhibits HIV integrase by binding to the integrase active site and blocking the strand transfer step of retroviral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integration which is essential for the HIV replication cycle. In vitro, dolutegravir dissociates slowly from the active site of the wild-type integraseDNA complex (t½ 71 hours).
Isolation from the wild-type HIV-1: Viruses highly resistant to dolutegravir have not been observed during HIV-1 passage. During wild-type HIV-1 passage in the presence of dolutegravir integrase substitutions observed were S153Y and S153F with FCs ≤ 4,1 for strain IIIB, or E92Q with FC = 3,1 and G193E with FC = 3,2 for strain NL432. Additional passage of wild-type subtype B, C, and A/G viruses in the presence of dolutegravir selected for R263K, G118R and S153T.
Anti-HIV activity Against Resistant Strains: Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor-and Protease Inhibitor-Resistant Strains: Dolutegravir demonstrated equivalent potency against 2 non-nucleoside (NN)-RTIresistant, 3 nucleoside (N)-RTI-resistant and 2 PI-resistant HIV-1 mutant clones (1 triple and 1 sextuple) compared to the wild-type strain.
Integrase Inhibitor-Resistant HIV-1 Strains: Dolutegravir showed anti-HIV activity (susceptibility) with FC < 5 against 27 of 28 integrase inhibitor – resistant mutant viruses with single substitutions including T66A/I/K, E92Q/V, Y143C/H/R, Q148H/K/R, and N155H.
Integrase Inhibitor-Resistant HIV-2 Strains: Site directed mutant HIV-2 viruses were constructed based on patients infected with HIV-2 and treated with raltegravir who showed virologic failure. Overall the HIV-2 FCs observed were similar to HIV-1 FCs observed for similar pathway mutations.
Integrase inhibitor naïve patients: No integrase inhibitor (INI) resistant mutations or treatment emergent resistance to the NRTI backbone therapy were isolated with dolutegravir 50 mg once daily in treatment – naïve studies.
A Fixed Dose Combination of Dolutegravir, Lamivudine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Tablets (50mg/300mg/300 mg) is bioequivalent to Tivicay (dolutegravir) Tablets 50 mg, Epivir Tablets (lamivudine) 300 mg and Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) Tablets 300 mg when these medicines are administered under fasting condition.
The pharmacokinetics of fixed dose combination following oral administration of Dolutegravir, Lamivudine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Tablets (50mg/300mg/300 mg) was investigated in 62 healthy adult subjects under fasting condition. Pharmacokinetic parameters for Dolutegravir, Lamivudine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Tablets (50mg/300mg/300 mg) following single oral doses in healthy subjects are presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Pharmacokinetic Parameters for Fixed Dose Combination of Dolutegravir, Lamivudine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Tablets (50mg/300mg/300 mg) after single dose administration:
| Analyte | Cmax (ng/mL) Mean (±SD) | Tmax (hr)# Median (Range) | AUC0-t (ng•hr/mL) Mean (±SD) | t1/2 (hr) Mean (±SD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolutegravir (N=62) | 2636.58 (588.506) | 2.333 (0.833-6.000) | 46324.2763 (12529.26580) | 15.4347 (3.07856)* |
| Lamivudine (N=62) | 2270.47 (656.441) | 2.000 (0.833-4.000) | 12182.8019 (3360.73505) | 7.5067 (4.83422) |
| Tenofovir (N=62) | 467.896 (112.8949) | 0.833 (0.500-1.667) | 3064.2371 (800.70445) | 18.0185 (2.975)* |
# Median (Range); *N = 59 for t1/2
Lamivudine is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and the reported bioavailability of oral lamivudine in adults is normally between 80% and 85%. Following oral administration, the reported mean time (Tmax) to maximum serum concentration (Cmax) is about an hour. At therapeutic dose levels i.e. 4 mg/kg/day (as two 12-hourly doses), Cmax is reported to be in the order of 1-1,5 µg/ml. From intravenous studies, the reported mean volume of distribution is 1,3 L/kg and reported mean terminal half-life of elimination is 5 to 7 hours. The reported mean systemic clearance of lamivudine is approximately 0,32 L/kg/h, with predominantly renal clearance (>70%) via active tubular secretion, but little (<10%) hepatic metabolism. No dose adjustment is reported to be needed when co-administered with food as lamivudine bioavailability is not altered, although a delay in Tmax and reduction in Cmax have been reported.
Lamivudine has been reported to exhibits linear pharmacokinetics over the therapeutic dose range and displays limited binding to the major plasma protein albumin. Lamivudine elimination will be affected by renal impairment, whether it is disease- or age-related.
It was reported that co-administration of zidovudine results in a 13% increase in zidovudine exposure and a 28% increase in peak plasma levels. This is not considered to be of significance to patient safety and therefore no dosage adjustments are necessary. The likelihood of adverse medicine interactions with lamivudine is low due to the limited metabolism and plasma protein binding and almost complete renal clearance.
A reported interaction with trimethoprim, a constituent of co-trimoxazole, causes a 40% increase in lamivudine exposure at therapeutic doses. This does not require dose adjustment unless the patient also has renal impairment. Administration of co-trimoxazole with the 3TC/zidovudine combination in patients with renal impairment should be carefully assessed. It was reported from limited data that lamivudine penetrates the central nervous system and reaches the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The reported mean ratio CSF/serum lamivudine concentration 2-4 hours after oral administration was approximately 0,12.
The pharmacokinetics of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate have been reported in healthy volunteers and HIV-1 infected individuals. Tenofovir pharmacokinetics are reported to be similar between these populations.
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is a water soluble diester prodrug of the active ingredient tenofovir. The reported oral bioavailability of tenofovir from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in fasted patients is approximately 25%. Following oral administration of a single dose of tenofovir 300 mg to HIV-1 infected patients in the fasted state, maximum serum concentrations (Cmax) was reported to be achieved in 1,0 ± 0,4 hrs. Reported Cmax and AUC values were 296 ± 90 ng/ml and 2287 ± 685 ng*h/ml, respectively.
The pharmacokinetics of tenofovir are dose proportional over a dose range of 75 to 600 mg and are not affected by repeated dosing.
Administration of tenofovir following a high-fat meal (~700 to 1000 kcal containing 40 to 50% fat) reportedly increases the oral bioavailability, with an increase in tenofovir AUC0-∞ of approximately 40% and an increase in Cmax of approximately 14%. However, administration of tenofovir with a light meal did not have been reported for a significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of tenofovir when compared to fasted administration of the medicine. Food delays the time to tenofovir Cmax by approximately 1 hour. Cmax and AUC of tenofovir are 326 ± 119 ng/ml and 3324 ± 1370 ng*h/ml following multiple doses of tenofovir 300 mg once daily in the fed state, when meal content was not controlled.
In vitro binding of tenofovir to human plasma or serum proteins is reported to be less than 0,7% and 7,2%, respectively, over the tenofovir concentration range 0,01 to 25 µg/ml. The volume of distribution at steady-state is reported to be 1,3 ± 0,6 L/kg and 1,2 ± 0,4 L/kg, following intravenous administration of tenofovir 1,0 mg/kg and 3,0 mg/kg.
In vitro studies reported that neither tenofovir disoproxil nor tenofovir are substrates of CYP450 enzymes.
Following single dose, oral administration of tenofovir, the reported terminal elimination half-life of tenofovir is approximately 17 hours. After multiple oral doses of tenofovir 300 mg once daily (under fed conditions), 32 ± 10% of the administered dose is reported to be recovered in urine over 24 hours.
Tenofovir is reported to be eliminated by a combination of glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion. There may be competition for elimination with other compounds that are also renally eliminated.
Pharmacokinetic studies have not been performed in children (<18 years) or in the elderly (>65 years).
The pharmacokinetics of tenofovir following a 300 mg single dose have been studied in non-HIV infected patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment. There were no substantial alterations in tenofovir pharmacokinetics in patients with hepatic impairment compared with unimpaired patients. No change in tenofovir dosing is required in patients with hepatic impairment.
The pharmacokinetics of tenofovir are altered in patients with renal impairment. In patients with creatinine clearance <50 mL/min or with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis, Cmax, and AUC0-∞ of tenofovir were increased. It is recommended that the dosing interval for tenofovir be modified in patients with creatinine clearance <50 mL/min or in patients with ESRD who require dialysis (see section 4.2). Tenofovir is efficiently removed by hemodialysis with an extraction coefficient of approximately 54%. Following a single 300 mg dose of tenofovir, a four-hour hemodialysis session removed approximately 10% of the administered tenofovir dose.
Dolutegravir pharmacokinetics are reported to be similar between healthy subjects and HIV-infected patients. The reported PK variability of dolutegravir is between low to moderate. ln Phase 1 reported studies in healthy subjects, between-subject CVb% for AUC and Cmax ranged from ~20 to 40% and Ct from 30 to 65% across studies. The between-subject PK variability of dolutegravir was reported to be higher in HIV-infected patients than healthy subjects. Within-subject variability (CVw%) is reported to be lower than between-subject variability.
Dolutegravir is reported to be absorbed following oral administration, with median Tmax at 2 to 3 hours post dose for the tablet formulation. The linearity of dolutegravir pharmacokinetics is reported to be dependent on dose and formulation. Following oral administration of tablet formulations, dolutegravir was reported to exhibit non-linear pharmacokinetics with less than dose-proportional increases in plasma exposure from 2 to 100 mg; however increase in dolutegravir exposure appears dose proportional from 25 mg to 50 mg.
Dolutegravir may be administered with or without food. Food reportedly increased the extent and slowed the rate of absorption of dolutegravir. Bioavailability of dolutegravir depends on meal content: low, moderate and high fat meals increased dolutegravir AUC0-∞ by 34%, 41%, and 66%, increased Cmax by 46%, 52%, and 67%, prolonged Tmax to 3, 4, and 5 hours from 2 hours under fasted conditions, respectively. These increases are not reported to be clinically significant. The absolute bioavailability of dolutegravir has not been reported to be established.
Dolutegravir is highly bound (approximately 99,3%) to human plasma proteins based on reported in vitro data. The reported apparent volume of distribution (following oral administration of suspension formulation, Vd/F) is estimated at 12,5 L. Binding of dolutegravir to plasma proteins was reported to be independent of concentration. Total blood and plasma medicine-related radioactivity concentration ratios averaged between 0,441 to 0,535 indicating minimal association of radioactivity with blood cellular components. Free fraction of dolutegravir in plasma is reportedly estimated at approximately 0,2 to 1,1% in healthy subjects, approximately 0,4 to 0,5% in patients with moderate hepatic impairment, and 0,8 to 1,0% in patients with severe renal impairment and 0,5% in HIV-1 infected patients.
Dolutegravir is reported to be present in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In treatment-naïve patients on a stable dolutegravir plus abacavir/lamivudine regimen, dolutegravir concentration in CSF averaged 18 ng/ml (comparable to unbound plasma concentration, and above the IC50); CSF: plasma concentration ratio of dolutegravir ranged from 0,11 to 0,66%. Dolutegravir concentrations in CSF reportedly exceeded the IC50, supporting the median reduction from baseline in CSF HIV-1 RNA of 2,1 log after 2 weeks of therapy.
Dolutegravir is reported to be primarily metabolised via UGT1A1 with a minor CYP3A component (9,7% of total dose administered in a reported human mass balance study). Dolutegravir is the predominant circulating compound in plasma; renal elimination of unchanged medicine is low (<1% of the dose). Fifty-three percent of total oral dose is reported to be excreted unchanged in the faeces. It is unknown if all or part of this is due to unabsorbed medicine or biliary excretion of the glucuronidate conjugate, which can be further degraded to form the parent compound in the gut lumen. Thirty-one percent of the total oral dose is reported to be excreted in the urine, represented by ether glucuronide of dolutegravir (18,9% of total dose), N-dealkylation metabolite (3,6% of total dose) and a metabolite formed by oxidation at the benzylic carbon (3,0% of total dose).
Dolutegravir has a terminal half-life of ~14 hours and an apparent clearance (CL/F) of 0,56 l/hr.
Population pharmacokinetic analysis of dolutegravir using data in HIV-1 infected adults showed that there was no clinically relevant effect of age on dolutegravir exposure. Pharmacokinetic data for dolutegravir in patients of > 65 years old are limited.
Renal clearance of unchanged medicine is a minor pathway of elimination for dolutegravir. A study of the pharmacokinetics of dolutegravir was performed in patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr <30 ml/min). No clinically important pharmacokinetic differences between patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr < 30 ml/min) and matching healthy subjects were observed, AUC, Cmax, and C24 of dolutegravir were decreased by 40%, 23%, and 43%, respectively, compared with those in matched healthy subjects. No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with renal impairment. Dolutegravir has not been studied in patients on dialysis, though differences in exposure are not expected. The effect of dolutegravir on serum creatinine clearance (CrCl), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using iohexol as the probe and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) using para-aminohippurate (PAH) as the probe was evaluated. A small decrease of 10-14% in mean serum creatinine clearance (CrCl) was observed with dolutegravir within the first week of treatment. Dolutegravir had no significant effect on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or the effective renal plasma flow (ERPF). In vitro studies suggest that the increases in creatinine observed in clinical studies are due to the non-pathologic inhibition of the organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) in the proximal renal tubules, which mediates the tubular secretion of creatinine.
Dolutegravir is primarily metabolised and eliminated by the liver. In a study comparing 8 patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Category B score 7 to 9) to 8 matched healthy adult controls, the single 50 mg dose exposure of dolutegravir was similar between the two groups. No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with mild hepatic impairment. The effect of severe hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of dolutegravir has not been studied.
There is no evidence that common polymorphisms in metabolising enzymes alter dolutegravir pharmacokinetics to a clinically meaningful extent. In a meta-analysis using pharmacogenomics samples collected in clinical studies in healthy subjects, subjects with UGT1A1 (n=7) genotypes conferring poor dolutegravir metabolism had a 32% lower clearance of dolutegravir and 46% higher AUC compared with subjects with genotypes associated with normal metabolism via UGT1A1 (n=41). Polymorphisms in CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and NR1l2 were not associated with the differences in the pharmacokinetics of dolutegravir.
Population pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that hepatitis C virus co-infection had no clinically relevant effect on the exposure to dolutegravir. There are limited data on patients with hepatitis B coinfection.
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