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A population pharmacokinetic analysis of sildenafil citrate in patients with erectile dysfunction

Milligan PA, Marshall SF, Karlsson MO

British journal of clinical pharmacology, 2002

2,077 participants · 65 citations

Abstract

AIMS: To analyse the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil citrate in patients with erectile dysfunction in order to characterize covariate relationships and assist in the development of rational dosage strategies.

METHODS: A population pharmacokinetic sampling strategy was incorporated into five phase III clinical study protocols. Overall, 2077 patients, 1335 of whom received sildenafil, were asked to take an additional dose of study drug before their scheduled clinic visits on four or five occasions throughout the study duration. A single plasma sample was obtained at random times postdose (range 1--7 h), and a total of 4582 samples were assayed (average 3.4 samples per individual).

RESULTS: For the population average patient (age 58 years; aspartate transaminase [AST], 24 IU l(-1); weight, 87 kg; not receiving CYP3A4 potential inhibitors), typical values for sildenafil (mean +/- SE) were 58.5 +/- 1.4 l h(-1) for apparent clearance (CL/F), 310 +/- 6.92 l for volume of distribution (V/F), and 2.6 +/- 0.176 h(-1) for first-order absorption constant (ka). The value for ka is associated with meal consumption within 2 h predose, at all other times ka was equivalent to an instantaneous bolus administration. The interindividual variabilities were 29% for CL/F, 20% for V/F, and 210% for ka. Over a dose range of 25--100 mg sildenafil, the pharmacokinetics exhibited dose proportionality. There was evidence of nonproportionality (40% increase on average) in relative bioavailability with…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 2,077 participants or records.

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