Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of a liquid formulation of hydroxyurea in children with sickle cell anemia
07/2015
Journal Article
Authors:
Estepp, J. H.;
Melloni, C.;
Thornburg, C. D.;
Wiczling, P.;
Rogers, Z.;
Rothman, J. A.;
Green, N. S.;
Liem, R.;
Brandow, A. M.;
Crary, S. E.;
Howard, T. H.;
Morris, M. H.;
Lewandowski, A. ;
Garg, U.;
Jusko, W. J.;
Neville, K. A.
Volume:
56
Pagination:
298-306
Issue:
3
Journal:
J Clin Pharmacol
PMID:
26201504
URL:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26201504
DOI:
10.1002/jcph.598
Keywords:
Adolescent Anemia, Sickle Cell/*blood Antisickling Agents/blood/pharmacokinetics Capsules Child Child, Preschool Female Humans Hydroxyurea/blood/*chemistry/*pharmacokinetics Male Prospective Studies Solutions Therapeutic Equivalency
bioequivalent hydroxyurea. children sickle cell anemia
Abstract:
Hydroxyurea (HU) is a crucial therapy for children with sickle cell anemia, but its off-label use is a barrier to widespread acceptance. We found HU exposure is not significantly altered by liquid vs capsule formulation, and weight-based dosing schemes provide consistent exposure. HU is recommended for all children starting as young as 9 months of age with sickle cell anemia (SCA; HbSS and HbSbetaspan(0) thalassemia); however; a paucity of pediatric data exists regarding the pharmacokinetics (PK) or the exposure-response relationship of HU. This trial aimed to characterize the PK of HU in children and to evaluate and compare the bioavailability of a liquid vs capsule formulation. This multicenter; prospective; open-label trial enrolled 39 children with SCA who provided 682 plasma samples for PK analysis following administration of HU. Noncompartmental and population PK models are described. We report that liquid and capsule formulations of HU are bioequivalent; weight-based dosing schemes provide consistent drug exposure; and age-based dosing schemes are unnecessary. These data support the use of liquid HU in children unable to swallow capsules and in those whose weight precludes the use of fixed capsule formulations. Taken with existing safety and efficacy literature; these findings should encourage the use of HU across the spectrum of age and weight in children with SCA; and they should facilitate the expanded use of HU as recommended in the National Heart; Lung; and Blood Institute guidelines for individuals with SCA.
