Pharmacokinetic and Bioequivalence Comparison of Baclofen and Chlorzoxazone Administered Individually or Concurrently
Condition: Pharmacokinetics
Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase 1

Summary: 
      Combination treatment with baclofen and chlorzoxazone (CHZ) is under investigation for the
      treatment of spinocerebellar ataxia types 1 and 2. Achievement of therapeutic benefit with
      this combination approach requires that effective concentrations of both agents reach the
      systemic circulation, and ultimately reach the intended pharmacologic target. This in turn
      requires understanding of the clinical pharmacokinetic properties of both drugs when
      administered individually, as well as knowledge of the extent to which the agents might
      interact when given concurrently.

      Study Objectives:

        1. To evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties of baclofen and CHZ when administered as
           individual entities at separate times, using customary clinical doses.

        2. To compare the pharmacokinetic properties, and assess the bioequivalence, of each drug
           administered separately compared to administration of the two drugs concurrently.

        3. To assess adverse events attributed to the two drugs when administered separately or
           together.
    

Detailed description: 
      Baclofen has been available for clinical use in the United States since 1977 and is used for
      the treatment of spasticity arising from a variety of causes. Oral baclofen can be
      administered in tablet form or as a solution. Comparison of the kinetics of IV and oral
      baclofen indicates that absolute bioavailability is in the range of 75%. Clearance of
      S-baclofen, the pharmacologically active enantiomer, occurs mainly by renal excretion of the
      intact drug. A small fraction of the administered R-enantiomer is also biotransformed by
      deamination. In individuals with normal renal function, the elimination half-life is in the
      range of 3 to 6 hours. Clearance is reduced and half-life is prolonged when renal function is
      impaired. Baclofen pharmacokinetics are linear (dose-independent), in that half-life and
      clearance are fixed regardless of the administered dose, or duration of treatment.

      Chlorzoxazone (CHZ) has been in clinical use since 1988 and is described as a skeletal muscle
      relaxant. The principal metabolic pathway of CHZ involves hydroxylation by the hepatic enzyme
      Cytochrome P450-2E1 (CYP2E1), yielding the major metabolite 6-OH-CHZ. As a substrate for the
      single enzyme isoform CYP2E1, CHZ has become extensively used in drug development and
      clinical pharmacology as an in vivo probe or index compound to profile human CYP2E1 metabolic
      phenotype, based on systemic clearance or area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC)
      after a single test dose. In healthy individuals, the elimination half-life of CHZ falls in
      the range of 0.7 to 2.0 hours. With this short half-life, a pharmacokinetic study can be
      completed using a sampling period of 12 hours after a single dose.

      The study will have a randomized, single-dose, 3-way crossover design, with at least one week
      elapsing between the 3 trials of the study. The sequence of administration is based on a
      randomization code. Venous blood samples are drawn prior to the dose, and at specified time
      points during 24 hours after the dose. Concentrations of baclofen and/or chlorzoxazone are
      determined in each sample, and customary pharmacokinetic analyses are used to evaluate
      kinetic properties, and bioequivalence between individual versus combined administration of
      the two drugs.

      Candidates for participation will come to the study site for an interview and screening
      evaluation. Screening procedures will include medical history, medication use (including
      non-prescription and herbal), physical examination, blood hematology and clinical chemistry,
      blood immunology screen (HIV and hepatitis), urinalysis, urine drug screen, and serum
      pregnancy test (for potentially childbearing female participants). Screening data for each
      subject is reviewed by the Principal Investigator through a global evaluation of all
      information. The PI then decides whether participation would be safe and reasonable. The PI
      can choose to decline a candidate's approval as a study subject if the available information
      indicates that participation would be unsafe or inappropriate.

      Subjects arrive at the study unit at 7 AM on each of the three study trial days, following an
      overnight fast. They are provided with a light breakfast on arrival. Peripheral venous
      sampling access is established via an indwelling catheter, connected to intravenous fluid
      (D5W or normal saline) at a "keep open" rate. A heparin lock can also be used - this is
      flushed with dilute heparin (5 Units per mL) after each sample is drawn. Venous blood samples
      (7 mL each) are drawn from the indwelling catheter into heparinized (green-top) tubes prior
      to dosage, and at the following post-dosage times: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours.
      Subjects return to the study unit at 8 AM the following morning, at which time a 24-hour PK
      sample and repeat hematology and chemistry is drawn. The PI or designate will conduct a
      structured interview to evaluate the occurrence of adverse events

      Plasma concentrations of baclofen or chlorzoxazone, as appropriate, will be determined by
      liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry using contemporary methodology which has been
      validated, and conforms to customary regulatory standards for sensitivity, specificity,
      replicability, precision, and accuracy. All samples from a given subject's set of 3 trials
      will be extracted and analyzed on the same day using the same calibration standards by Tufts
      University.
    

Intervention name(s): Baclofen 20 mg Tablet; Chlorzoxazone 500 mg Tablet; Baclofen 20mg tablet and Chlorzoxazone 500 mg tablet
Intervention type(s): Drug; Drug; Drug
Intervention description(s): Single oral dose given at approximately 8 AM on day of visit, with 6-8 ounces of tap water.; Single oral dose given at approximately 8 AM on day of visit, with 6-8 ounces of tap water.; Concurrent single oral dose given at approximately 8 AM on day of visit, with 6-8 ounces of tap water.
Intervention MeSH terms: Baclofen; Chlorzoxazone
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Intervention model description: The study will have a randomized, single-dose, 3-way crossover design, with at least one week elapsing between the 3 trials of the study. The sequence of administration is based on a randomization code.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Basic Science
Keywords: baclofen; chlorzoxazone; pharmacokinetics