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Apixaban is an oral, direct factor Xa inhibitor that inhibits both free and clot-bound factor Xa, and has been approved for clinical use in several thromboembolic disorders, including reduction of stroke risk in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, thromboprophylaxis following hip or knee replacement surgery, the treatment of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, and prevention of recurrent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The absolute oral bioavailability of apixaban is ~ 50%. Food does not have a clinically meaningful impact on the bioavailability. Apixaban exposure increases dose proportionally for oral doses up to 10 mg. Apixaban is rapidly absorbed, with maximum concentration occurring 3–4 h after oral administration, and has a half-life of approximately 12 h. Elimination occurs via multiple pathways including metabolism, biliary excretion, and direct intestinal excretion, with approximately 27% of total apixaban clearance occurring via renal excretion. The pharmacokinetics of apixaban are consistent across a broad range of patients, and apixaban has limited clinically relevant interactions with most commonly prescribed medications, allowing for fixed dosages without the need for therapeutic drug monitoring. The pharmacodynamic effect of apixaban is closely correlated with apixaban plasma concentration. This review provides a summary of the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, biopharmaceutical, and drug–drug interaction profiles of apixaban. Additionally, the population-pharmacokinetic analyses of apixaban in both healthy subjects and in the target patient populations are discussed.

The objective of this population pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis was to characterize the concentration–time profile of brepocitinib plasma concentration after single‐ and multiple‐oral administration in healthy volunteers (HVs) and patients with immuno‐inflammatory diseases. Blood samples from phase I HV and phase II clinical studies of patients with alopecia areata, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis (UC), vitiligo, and hidradenitis suppurativa were analyzed using a nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling approach. Effects of patients' characteristics on brepocitinib exposure were investigated. Overall, 8552 brepocitinib plasma concentrations from 775 individuals were included in the analysis. The PKs of brepocitinib were adequately described by a two‐compartment model with first‐order absorption and a lag time for tablet formulation, dose‐dependent bioavailability, and Box–Cox transformed interindividual variabilities on apparent clearance (CL/F) and apparent central volume of distribution (Vc/F). For a typical 70‐kg non‐Asian female patient with baseline aspartate aminotransferase of 22 unit/liter, CL/F and Vc/F estimates were 17.5 L/h and 88.5 L, respectively. Asians had a higher exposure (independent of body weight), caused by a 10% lower CL/F when compared to other individuals. Independent of baseline body weight, the male population showed 13% higher Vc/F compared to the female population. Patients with UC were predicted to have 46% slower absorption rate compared to other individuals. The PKs of brepocitinib were well‐characterized by a two‐compartment model with first‐order absorption and dose‐dependent bioavailability. Several covariates, such as race and sex, were identified to have statistically significant, but not clinically meaningful, effects on the estimated PK parameters.

Objective Apixaban is a substrate of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and P-glycoprotein. The effects of rifampin, a strong inducer of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, on the pharmacokinetics of oral and intravenous apixaban were evaluated in an open-label, randomized, sequential crossover study. Methods Twenty healthy participants received single doses of apixaban 5 mg intravenously on day 1 and 10 mg orally on day 3, followed by rifampin 600 mg once daily on days 5–15. Finally, participants received single doses of apixaban 5 mg intravenously and 10 mg orally separately on days 12 and 14 in one of two randomized sequences. Results Apixaban, given intravenously and orally, was safe and well tolerated when administered in the presence and absence of rifampin. Apixaban absolute oral bioavailability was 49 % when administered alone and 39 % following induction by rifampin. Rifampin reduced apixaban area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC ∞ ) by 39 % after intravenous administration and by 54 % after oral administration. Rifampin induction increased mean clearance by 1.6-fold for intravenous apixaban and mean apparent clearance by 2.1-fold for oral apixaban, indicating rifampin affected both pre-systemic and systemic apixaban elimination pathways. Conclusion Co-administration of apixaban with rifampin reduced apixaban exposure via both decreased bioavailability and increased systemic clearance.

Kappa opioid receptors (KOR) are implicated in several brain disorders. In this report, a first-in-human positron emission tomography (PET) study was conducted with the potent and selective KOR agonist tracer, [11C]GR103545, to determine an appropriate kinetic model for analysis of PET imaging data and assess the test–retest reproducibility of model-derived binding parameters. The non-displaceable distribution volume (VND) was estimated from a blocking study with naltrexone. In addition, KOR occupancy of PF-04455242, a selective KOR antagonist that is active in preclinical models of depression, was also investigated. For determination of a kinetic model and evaluation of test–retest reproducibility, 11 subjects were scanned twice with [11C]GR103545. Seven subjects were scanned before and 75min after oral administration of naltrexone (150mg). For the KOR occupancy study, six subjects were scanned at baseline and 1.5h and 8h after an oral dose of PF-04455242 (15mg, n=1 and 30mg, n=5). Metabolite-corrected arterial input functions were measured and all scans were 150min in duration. Regional time-activity curves (TACs) were analyzed with 1- and 2-tissue compartment models (1TC and 2TC) and the multilinear analysis (MA1) method to derive regional volume of distribution (VT). Relative test–retest variability (TRV), absolute test–retest variability (aTRV) and intra-class coefficient (ICC) were calculated to assess test–retest reproducibility of regional VT. Occupancy plots were computed for blocking studies to estimate occupancy and VND. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of PF-04455242 was determined from occupancies and drug concentrations in plasma. [11C]GR103545 in vivo KD was also estimated. Regional TACs were well described by the 2TC model and MA1. However, 2TC VT was sometimes estimated with high standard error. Thus MA1 was the model of choice. Test–retest variability was ~15%, depending on the outcome measure. The blocking studies with naltrexone and PF-04455242 showed that VT was reduced in all regions; thus no suitable reference region is available for the radiotracer. VND was estimated reliably from the occupancy plot of naltrexone blocking (VND=3.4±0.9mL/cm3). The IC50 of PF-04455242 was calculated as 55ng/mL. [11C]GR103545 in vivo KD value was estimated as 0.069nmol/L. [11C]GR103545 PET can be used to image and quantify KOR in humans, although it has slow kinetics and variability of model-derived kinetic parameters is higher than desirable. This tracer should be suitable for use in receptor occupancy studies, particularly those that target high occupancy. •[11C]GR103545 is a potent and selective kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonist tracer.•First human study of [11C]GR103545 was conducted to determine kinetic model.•Test–retest reliability was good in all regions.•VND of [11C]GR103545 was 3mL/cm3 from the occupancy plot with naltrexone blocking.•IC50 of the selective KOR antagonist PF-04455242 was estimated as 55ng/mL.

Apixaban is an oral small‐molecule, direct factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor approved in adults for treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and for reducing risk of venous thromboembolism recurrence after initial anticoagulant therapy. This phase I study (NCT01707394) evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PKs), pharmacodynamics (PDs), and safety of apixaban in pediatric subjects (<18 years), enrolled by age group, at risk of venous or arterial thrombotic disorder. A single apixaban dose, targeting adult steady‐state exposure with apixaban 2.5 mg, was administered using two pediatric formulations: 0.1 mg sprinkle capsule (age <28 days); 0.4 mg/ml solution (age 28 days to <18 years; dose range, 1.08–2.19 mg/m2). End points included safety, PKs, and anti‐FXa activity. For PKs/PDs, four to six blood samples were collected ≤26 h postdosing. A population PK model was developed with data from adults and pediatric subjects. Apparent oral clearance (CL/F) included fixed maturation function based on published data. From January 2013 to June 2019, 49 pediatric subjects received apixaban. Most adverse events were mild/moderate, and the most common was pyrexia (n = 4/15). Apixaban CL/F and apparent central volume of distribution increased less than proportionally with body weight. Apixaban CL/F increased with age, reaching adult values in subjects aged 12 to <18 years. Maturation affected CL/F most notably in subjects aged <9 months. Plasma anti‐FXa activity values were linearly related to apixaban concentrations, with no apparent age‐related differences. Pediatric subjects tolerated single apixaban doses well. Study data and population PK model supported phase II/III pediatric trial dose selection.

Varenicline is an approved smoking cessation aid in adults. Population pharmacokinetics (popPK) and exposure–response (ER) (continuous abstinence rates [CAR] weeks 9‒12 and nausea/vomiting incidence) for varenicline in adolescent smokers were characterized using data from two phase 1 and one phase 4 studies. A one‐compartment popPK model with first‐order absorption and elimination adequately fitted the observed data. The effect of female sex on apparent clearance was significant. Apparent volume of distribution increased with body weight and decreased by 24%, 15%, and 14% for black race, “other” race, and female sex, respectively. The observed range of exposure in the phase 4 study was consistent with that expected for each dose and body‐weight group from the results obtained in adolescent PK studies, supporting that varenicline dose and administration were appropriate in the study. The relationship between CAR9‒12 and varenicline area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) from 0 to 24 hours (AUC24) was nonsignificant (p = 0.303). Nausea/vomiting incidence increased with AUC24 (p < 0.001) and was higher in females. Varenicline PK and ER for tolerability in adolescent smokers were comparable with adults, while ER for efficacy confirmed the negative results reported in the phase 4 study.

It is not uncommon in pharmacokinetic (PK) studies that some concentrations are censored by the bioanalytical laboratory and reported qualitatively as below the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ). Censoring concentrations below the quantification limit (BQL) has been shown to adversely affect bias and precision of parameter estimates; however, its impact on structural model decision has not been studied. The current simulation study investigated the impact of the percentage of data censored as BQL on the PK structural model decision; evaluated the effect of different coefficient of variation (CV) values to define the LLOQ; and tested the maximum conditional likelihood estimation method in NONMEM VI (YLO). Using a one-compartment intravenous model, data were simulated with 10–50% BQL censoring, while maintaining a 20% CV at LLOQ. In another set of experiments, the LLOQ was chosen to attain CVs of 10, 20, 50 and 100%. Parameters were estimated with both one- and two-compartment models using NONMEM. A type I error was defined as a significantly lower objective function value for the two-compartment model compared to the one-compartment model using the standard likelihood ratio test at α  =  0.05 and α  =  0.01. The type I error rate substantially increased to as high as 96% as the median of percent censored data increased at both the 5% and 1% alpha levels. Restricting the CV to 10% caused a higher type I error rate compared to the 20% CV, while the error rate was reduced to the nominal value as the CV increased to 100%. The YLO option prevented the type I error rate from being elevated. This simulation study has shown that the practice of assigning a LLOQ during analytical methods development, although well intentioned, can lead to incorrect decisions regarding the structure of the pharmacokinetic model. The standard operating procedures in analytical laboratories should be adjusted to provide a quantitative value for all samples assayed in the drug development setting where sophisticated modeling may occur. However, the current level of precision may need to be maintained when laboratory results are to be used for direct patient care in a clinical setting. Finally, the YLO option should be considered when more than 10% of data are censored as BQL.

Apixaban is an oral, selective, direct factor Xa inhibitor approved for thromboprophylaxis after orthopedic surgery and stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation, and under development for treatment of venous thromboembolism. This study investigated the effect of a gastric acid suppressant, famotidine (a histamine H2-receptor antagonist), on the pharmacokinetics of apixaban in healthy subjects. This two-period, two-treatment crossover study randomized 18 healthy subjects to receive a single oral dose of apixaban 10 mg with and without a single oral dose of famotidine 40 mg administered 3 hours before dosing with apixaban. Plasma apixaban concentrations were measured up to 60 hours post-dose and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. Famotidine did not affect maximum apixaban plasma concentration (Cmax) or area under the plasma concentration-time curve from zero to infinite time (AUC∞). Point estimates for ratios of geometric means with and without famotidine were close to unity for Cmax (0.978) and AUC∞ (1.007), and 90% confidence intervals were entirely contained within the 80%-125% no-effect interval. Administration of apixaban alone and with famotidine was well tolerated. Famotidine does not affect the pharmacokinetics of apixaban, consistent with the physicochemical properties of apixaban (lack of an ionizable group and pH-independent solubility). Apixaban pharmacokinetics would not be affected by an increase in gastrointestinal pH due to underlying conditions (eg, achlorhydria), or by gastrointestinal pH-mediated effects of other histamine H2-receptor antagonists, antacids, or proton pump inhibitors. Given that famotidine is also an inhibitor of the human organic cation transporter (hOCT), these results indicate that apixaban pharmacokinetics are not influenced by hOCT uptake transporter inhibitors. Overall, these results support that apixaban can be administered without regard to coadministration of gastric acid modifiers.

This analysis describes the population pharmacokinetics (PPK) of apixaban in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) subjects, and quantifies the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on exposure. The PPK model was developed using data from phase I–III studies. Apixaban exposure was characterized by a two‐compartment PPK model with first‐order absorption and elimination. Predictive covariates on apparent clearance included age, sex, Asian race, renal function, and concomitant strong/moderate cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4/P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) inhibitors. Individual covariate effects generally resulted in < 25% change in apixaban exposure vs. the reference NVAF subject (non‐Asian, male, aged 65 years, weighing 70 kg without concomitant CYP3A4/P‐gp inhibitors), except for severe renal impairment, which resulted in 55% higher exposure than the reference subject. The dose‐reduction algorithm resulted in a ~27% lower median exposure, with a large overlap between the 2.5‐mg and 5‐mg groups. The impact of Asian race on apixaban exposure was < 15% and not considered clinically significant.

Background This was an open-label, phase I, nonrandomized, single-sequence, crossover study to evaluate the effect of concomitant administration of multiple doses of clarithromycin on the single-dose exposure, safety, and tolerability of apixaban in healthy subjects. Methods In total, 19 subjects received a single oral dose of apixaban 10 mg on day 1. On day 4, subjects began receiving oral clarithromycin immediate release (IR) 500 mg twice daily (bid) for 4 days. On day 8, subjects received oral apixaban 10 mg and oral clarithromycin IR 500 mg bid. Oral clarithromycin IR 500 mg bid was given alone on days 9 and 10. Results Compared with apixaban alone, coadministration of apixaban with clarithromycin resulted in increased apixaban exposure. The adjusted geometric mean ratio (GMR) was 1.299 (90% confidence interval [CI] 1.220–1.384) for peak plasma concentration ( C max ), whereas the adjusted GMR for the area under the concentration curve (AUC (INF) ) was 1.595 (90% CI 1.506–1.698). The mean half-life and median time to C max of apixaban were comparable with and without concomitant administration of clarithromycin. Administration of apixaban and clarithromycin concomitantly did not result in increased adverse events compared with administration of either agent alone. All adverse events were mild in intensity. Conclusions Apixaban C max and AUC (INF) increased 30% and 60%, respectively, when multiple doses of clarithromycin were coadministered with apixaban versus administration of apixaban alone. The increase in apixaban C max and AUC (INF) with concomitant clarithromycin was less than that which has been observed when apixaban was given with ketoconazole. Administration of apixaban alone and in combination with clarithromycin bid was safe and generally well-tolerated by the healthy adult subjects in this study. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier number NCT02912234.