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Clofazimine pharmacokinetics in novel rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis regimens: an analysis of the endTB and endTB-Q trials

Ngara B, Solans BP, Yang E, Van Brantegem P, Guglielmetti L, Varaine F, Gouillou M, Mitnick CD et al.

2026

100 participants

Abstract

Introduction: Rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis poses a significant threat worldwide. Clofazimine is considered important for the construction of effective individualized multidrug regimens to treat rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis. Our goal was to characterize clofazimine pharmacokinetics in novel combination treatment regimens and to identify participant characteristics associated with variations in drug exposure.

Methods: Clofazimine pharmacokinetic data were obtained from adults and adolescents enrolled in the PandrTB pharmacokinetic sub-study of the endTB and endTB-Q Phase 3 randomized controlled therapeutic trials for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis. Plasma concentrations were analyzed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling to quantify clofazimine exposure and explore the impact of relevant covariates.

Results: 100 participants from six countries with high burdens of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis contributed pharmacokinetic data. Their median age was 34 years, 32% were female, 18% were living with diabetes mellitus, and 18% were living with HIV. Clofazimine plasma concentration values were best described by a 2-compartment pharmacokinetic model with first-order absorption. Co-administration with delamanid and HIV co-infection resulted in a 37% increase and 20% decrease in clofazimine’s bioavailability, respectively. Diabetes was associated with a 43% decrease in clofazimine clearance. Clofazimine remained in the body for a median of 2.5 years (95 th percentile:…

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: 100 participants or records.

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