Studies to investigate the pharmacokinetic interactions between ranolazine and ketoconazole, diltiazem, or simvastatin during combined administration in healthy subjects.

Author(s): Jerling M, Huan BL, Leung K, Chu N, Abdallah H, Hussein Z

Affiliation(s): CV Therapeutics Inc, 3172 Porter Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.

Publication date & source: 2005-04, J Clin Pharmacol., 45(4):422-33.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

The interactions of ranolazine, a new antianginal compound, with inhibitors and substrates of the CYP3A isoenzyme family were studied in 1 open-label and 4 double-blind, randomized, multiple-dose studies. In healthy adult volunteers, the authors sought (1) to determine the steady-state pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of immediate- and sustained-release ranolazine with and without ketoconazole, diltiazem, or simvastatin and (2) to evaluate the effect of ranolazine on the pharmacokinetics of diltiazem, simvastatin, simvastatin metabolites, and HMG-CoA reductase activity. Ketoconazole increased ranolazine plasma concentrations and reduced the CYP3A4-mediated metabolic transformation of ranolazine, confirming that CYP3A4 is the primary metabolic pathway for ranolazine. Diltiazem reduced oral clearance of ranolazine in a dose-dependent manner. Simvastatin did not affect ranolazine pharmacokinetics, although ranolazine increased the AUC and C(max) of simvastatin, simvastatin acid, 2 simvastatin metabolites, and HMG-CoA reductase activity by <2-fold. Administration of ranolazine in combination with diltiazem or simvastatin was safe and well tolerated during the interval studied.