Nalbuphine ER Effects of Liver Disease on Pharmacokinetics and Itch

This research study will evaluate the effect of liver disease on the pharmacokinetics (the breakdown of the drug in the body) of parallel-group, multiple oral doses nalbuphine extended release (NAL ER), tablets in people with liver disease (mild, moderate and severe), compared to people with normal liver function. The study will also test the safety and tolerability of the NAL ER, when it is given to subjects with mild, moderate and severe liver disease, compared to subjects with normal liver function. This protocol will also study the effects of this drug on itching in liver disease subjects if they report some itching prior to taking part in this study.

The study is a three-center study that will include both a single-ascending-dose (SAD) portion and a multiple-ascending dose (MAD) portion. The PK, safety, and tolerability of single ascending doses (SAD) of NAL ER (4 dose levels) will be evaluated in subjects with mild, moderate and severe hepatic impairment.

The purpose of the SAD will be to assess the safety and PK parameters of the given dose levels in hepatic impaired subjects relative to a selected healthy subject control population as part of the overall NAL ER development program. The SAD will also allow a better understanding of the safety, tolerability and expected steady state PK characteristics in mild and moderate hepatic impairment prior to undertaking safety and itch suppression efficacy studies in this patient population.

In the MAD portion of this study, PK assessment will be carried out at steady state at each respective dose level at steady state during the titration over 13 days up to the highest planned therapeutic dose of 162 mg. It is well documented, in clinical practice and the opiate literature, that gradually increasing the dose of drug with a structured titration can reduce the frequency and severity of the expected AEs associated with initiation of therapy. The NAL ER clinical program utilizes this type of structured titration strategy, starting with once per day dosing at the 27 mg dose of NAL ER, and increasing the dose in a stepwise manner over the next 13 days to the target investigational dose of 162 mg twice daily. Pharmacokinetic steady state is reached

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

For Subjects with Hepatic Impairment (Cohort 1 to 4 and Cohort 6)

* Male or female with stable hepatic impairment, non-smoker and/or light smoker.
* Clinical diagnosis of liver cirrhosis
* Stable for study participation based upon medical history, physical examination, vital signs, ECGs, and screening clinical laboratory evaluations

Inclusion Criteria:

For Healthy Subjects (Cohort 5):

* Male or female, non-smoker and/or light smoker (up to 5 cigarettes or equivalent/day),
* Healthy as defined by:

  1. Normal hepatic function
  2. The absence of clinically significant illness and surgery within 4 weeks prior to dosing.

Exclusion Criteria:

For Subjects with Hepatic Impairment (Cohort 1 to 4 and Cohort 6)

* Clinically significant unstable medical conditions
* Clinically significant abnormalities of laboratory, ECG, pulse oximetry, or clinical data that would preclude participation in the study.
* History of any illness that might confound the results of the study or pose an additional risk to the subject by participation in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

For Healthy Subjects (Cohort 5):

* Diagnosis of liver disease
* History of heart problems.
* History of significant alcohol abuse or drug abuse