Conditions: Adrenal Insufficiency
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: CROSSOVER
Enrollment: 14
Healthy volunteers: yes

Brief summary:
This study will investigate a new drug called Infacort®; a newly-developed immediate release formulation of a well-established drug called hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone is used as a replacement treatment for people whose adrenal glands are not producing enough natural cortisol - a condition known as adrenal insufficiency. The study will assess how Infacort® acts once inside the body, by measuring cortisol and other hormone levels in the body, compared to already marketed hydrocortisone tablet and hydrocortisone intravenous (through the vein) injection.

The population who are eligible to take part in the study are healthy male volunteers, aged between 18 and 60 years of age.

Detailed description:
The study will evaluate the normal physiology, PK and metabolism of cortisol, investigate the PK and bioavailability of cortisol from the test Infacort® Granules (hydrocortisone) and the reference hydrocortisone tablets and i.v injection in healthy adult male volunteers and explore the role of cortisol in the regulation of metabolic pathways.

Arms:
arm 1: No Study medication will be given during this study period, however various blood, urine and saliva samples will be taken in order to measure normal levels of hormones and other chemicals at several time-points. arm 2: 1mg Dexamethasone will be administered at 22:00 on Day 1 and at 06:00 and 12:00 on Day 2. Various blood, urine and saliva samples will be taken in order to measure normal levels of hormones and other chemicals at several time-points. Dexamethasone is considered a challenge agent and therefore a non-IMP arm 3: 20mg Infacort® will be administered on Day 2 at 07:00. Dexamethasone is a challenge agent and will be taken to suppress endogenous adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) and cortisol. 1mg Dexamethasone will be administered at 22:00 on Day 1 and 06:00 and 12:00 on Day 2. Various blood, urine and saliva samples will be taken in order to measure normal levels of hormones and other chemicals at several time-points. arm 4: 20mg Hydrocortisone Tablet will be administered on Day 2 at 07:00. Dexamethasone is a challenge agent and will be taken to suppress endogenous ACTH and Cortisol. 1mg Dexamethasone will be administered at 22:00 on Day 1 and 06:00 and 12:00 on Day 2. Various blood, urine and saliva samples will be taken in order to measure normal levels of hormones and other chemicals at several time-points. arm 5: 20mg i.v. Hydrocortisone Injection will be administered on Day 2 at 07:00. Dexamethasone is a challenge agent and will be taken to suppress endogenous ACTH and Cortisol. 1mg Dexamethasone will be administered at 22:00 on Day 1 and 06:00 and 12:00 on Day 2. Various blood, urine and saliva samples will be taken in order to measure normal levels of hormones and other chemicals at several time-points.

Interventions: intervention 1: Hydrocortisone granules intervention 2: Hydrocortisone Tablet intervention 3: i.v. Hydrocortisone Injection intervention 4: Dexamethasone
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Multi-particulate granules intervention 2: Standard hydrocortisone tablets intervention 3: Standard hydrocortisone solution for intravenous injection intervention 4: Challenge agent

Protocol document: