Evaluation of the potential for pharmacokinetic interaction between fenofibrate and ezetimibe: A phase I, open-label, multiple-dose, three-period crossover study in healthy subjects

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the potential for pharmacokinetic interaction between fenofibrate and ezetimibe in healthy subjects. Methods: This was a Phase 1, open-label, multiple-dose, 3-period crossover study conducted in healthy adult men and women. Subjects received fenofibrate 1.45 mg alone, fenofibrate 145 mg with ezetimibe 10 mg, and ezetimibe 10 mg alone for 10 consecutive days, in an order determined by computerized randomization schedule. Blood samples were collected for up to 24 hours after dosing on study day 1 and up to 120 hours after dosing on study day 10 for determination of plasma concentrations of fenofibric acid, unconjugated (free) ezetimibe, and total (conjugated and unconjugated) ezetimibe using validated high-performance liquid chromatography methods with mass-spectrometric detection. Ezetimibe glucuronide concentrations were estimated by subtracting free ezetimibe concentrations from total ezetimibe concentrations. Results: Eighteen healthy adults (12 men, 6 women; 17 white, 1 black) were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 43.4 years (range, 27-55 years), their mean weight 78.7 kg (range, 60-98 kg), and their mean height 174.9 cm (range, 156-194 cm). Coadministration of multiple doses of fenofibrate and ezetimibe produced no statistically significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of fenofibric acid but significantly increased exposures to total ezetimibe and ezetirnibe glucuronide (P < 0.05). Using point estimates, coadministration of fenofibrate and ezetimibe increased AUC central values for total ezetimibe and ezetimbe glucuronide by 43% (90% CI, 29-59) and 49% (90% CI, 34-65), respectively. Conclusion: In these healthy volunteers, coadministration of multiple doses of fenofibrate and ezetimibe had no statistically significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of fenofibric acid but was associated with a significant increase in exposure to total ezetimibe and its metabolite ezetimibe glucuronide.