Comparative pharmacokinetic analysis of USL255, a new once-daily extended-release formulation of topiramate

Lawrence J. Lambrecht, Tawfeeq Shekh-Ahmad, Wesley M. Todd, Mark B. Halvorsen, Meir Bialer*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the pharmacokinetics of USL255, a once-daily extended-release (ER) formulation of topiramate (TPM), with Topamax (immediate-release TPM) in healthy subjects after oral dosing and evaluate the effect of food on USL255 bioavailability and pharmacokinetics. Methods: This randomized, single-center, open-label, cross-over design study had three dosing periods separated by 21 days of washout between treatments. Thirty-six volunteers received single doses of USL255 (200 mg) in fasted and fed conditions and two doses of Topamax (100 mg) administered 12 h apart. TPM plasma samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by noncompartmental methods. Key Findings: USL255 fasted pharmacokinetic parameters [point estimate (90% confidence interval, CI) compared to Topamax] were: relative bioavailability (Fć) 91.2% (84-99%), peak plasma concentration (C max) USL255/Topamax-ratio 59% (53-65%), time to reach C max (t max) 19.5 ± 7.2 h, accumulation ratio (R ac) 3.9 ± 1.2, effective half-life (t 1/2,eff) 55.7 ± 19.9 h, terminal half-life (t 1/2,z) 80.2 ± 14.2 h, and peak-occupancy-time (POT) 12.1 ± 4.0 h. Although the Fć and C max were unaffected by food, R ac and t 1/2,eff increased to 4.9 ± 0.9, and 72.5 ± 15.4 h, respectively. In contrast to t 1/2,z, t 1/2,eff reflects absorption rate; therefore, USL255's t 1/2,eff was significantly longer than Topamax's t 1/2,eff (37.1 ± 6.5 h). Significance: Although bioequivalent to Topamax in extent of absorption, USL255 had a slower absorption rate as reflected in its lower C max and longer t max, larger POT and longer t 1/2,eff, and similar R ac values to that of Topamax (q12 h). This relative flat plasma profile allows for once-daily dosing with diminished fluctuations in TPM plasma levels. In addition, neither USL255's peak nor extent of plasma exposure of TPM was affected by food.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1877-1883
Number of pages7
JournalEpilepsia
Volume52
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2011

Keywords

  • Food effect
  • Healthy subjects
  • New topiramate extended-release formulation
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • USL255

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