DrugLib.com — Drug Information Portal

Rx drug information, pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, news, and more

Oracea (Doxycycline) - Description and Clinical Pharmacology

 



ORACEA (doxycycline, USP) Capsules

Rx Only

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

The dosage of ORACEA differs from that of doxycycline used to treat infections. To reduce the development of resistant bacteria as well as to maintain the effectiveness of other antibacterial drugs, ORACEA should be used only as indicated.

ORACEA is indicated for the treatment of only inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules) of rosacea in adult patients.

This formulation of doxycycline has not been evaluated as an antibacterial in the treatment of infections.

DESCRIPTION

ORACEA (doxycycline, USP) capsules 40 mg are hard gelatin capsule shells filled with two types of doxycycline beads (30 mg immediate release and 10 mg delayed release) that together provide a dose of 40 mg of anhydrous doxycycline (C22H24N2O8).

The structural formula of doxycycline, USP is:

with an empirical formula of C22H24N2O8•H2O and a molecular weight of 462.46. The chemical designation for doxycycline is 2-Naphthacenecarboxamide, 4-(dimethylamino)-1,4,4a,5,5a,6,11,12a-octahydro-3,5,10,12,12a-pentahydroxy-6-methyl-1,11-dioxo-, [4S-(4aα, 4aα, 5α, 5aα, 6a,12aα)]-, monohydrate. It is very slightly soluble in water.

Inert ingredients in the formulation are: hypromellose, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, methacrylic acid copolymer, polyethylene glycol, Polysorbate 80, sugar spheres, talc, titanium dioxide, and triethyl citrate. Active ingredients: Each capsule contains doxycycline, USP in an amount equivalent to 40 mg of anhydrous doxycycline.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Pharmacokinetics

ORACEA capsules are not bioequivalent to other doxycycline products. The pharmacokinetics of doxycycline following oral administration of ORACEA was investigated in 2 volunteer studies involving 61 adults. Pharmacokinetic parameters for ORACEA following single oral doses and at steady-state in healthy subjects are presented in Table 1.

Table 1. Pharmacokinetic Parameters [Mean (± SD)] for ORACEA
 NCmax 1
(ng/mL)
Tmax Median
(hr)
AUC0-∞
(ng∙hr/mL)
t1/2
(hr)
Single Dose
40 mg capsules
30510 ±
220.7
3.00
(1.0-4.1)
9227 ±
3212.8
21.2 ±
7.6
Steady-StateDay 7
40 mg capsules
31600 ±
194.2
2.00
(1.0-4.0)
7543 ±
2443.9
23.2 ±
6.2

1 Mean

Absorption

In a single-dose food-effect study involving administration of ORACEA to healthy volunteers, concomitant administration with a 1000 calorie, high-fat, high-protein meal that included dairy products, resulted in a decrease in the rate and extent of absorption (Cmax and AUC) by about 45% and 22%, respectively, compared to dosing under fasted conditions. This decrease in systemic exposure can be clinically significant, and therefore if ORACEA is taken close to meal times, it is recommended that it be taken at least one hour prior to or two hours after meals.

Distribution

Doxycycline is greater than 90% bound to plasma proteins.

Metabolism

Major metabolites of doxycycline have not been identified. However, enzyme inducers such as barbiturates, carbamazepine, and phenytoin decrease the half-life of doxycycline.

Excretion

Doxycycline is excreted in the urine and feces as unchanged drug. It is reported that between 29% and 55.4% of an administered dose can be accounted for in the urine by 72 hours. Terminal half-life averaged 21.2 hours in subjects receiving a single dose of ORACEA.

Special Populations

Geriatric

Doxycycline pharmacokinetics have not been evaluated in geriatric patients.

Pediatric

Doxycycline pharmacokinetics have not been evaluated in pediatric patients (see WARNINGS section).

Gender

The pharmacokinetics of ORACEA were compared in 16 male and 14 female subjects under fed and fasted conditions. While female subjects had a higher Cmax and AUC than male subjects, these differences were thought to be due to differences in body weight/lean body mass.

Race

Differences in doxycycline pharmacokinetics among racial groups have not been evaluated.

Renal Insufficiency

Studies have shown no significant difference in serum half-life of doxycycline in patients with normal and severely impaired renal function. Hemodialysis does not alter the serum half-life of doxycycline.

Hepatic Insufficiency

Doxycycline pharmacokinetics have not been evaluated in patients with hepatic insufficiency.

Gastric Insufficiency

In a study in healthy volunteers (N=24) the bioavailability of doxycycline is reported to be reduced at high pH. This reduced bioavailability may be clinically significant in patients with gastrectomy, gastric bypass surgery or who are otherwise deemed achlorhydric.

Drug Interactions

(see PRECAUTIONS section)

MICROBIOLOGY

Doxycycline is a member of the tetracycline class of antibacterial drugs. The plasma concentrations of doxycycline achieved with ORACEA during administration (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION) are less than the concentration required to treat bacterial diseases. In vivo microbiological studies utilizing a similar drug exposure for up to 18 months demonstrated no detectable long-term effects on bacterial flora of the oral cavity, skin, intestinal tract, and vagina.

ORACEA should not be used for treating bacterial infections, providing antibacterial prophylaxis, or reducing the numbers or eliminating microorganisms associated with any bacterial disease.

CLINICAL STUDIES

The safety and efficacy of ORACEA in the treatment of only inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules) of rosacea was evaluated in two randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-centered, double-blind, 16-week Phase 3 studies involving 537 patients (total of 269 patients on ORACEA from the two studies) with rosacea (10 to 40 papules and pustules and two or fewer nodules). Pregnant and nursing women, patients <18 years of age, and patients with ocular rosacea and/or blepharitis/meibomianitis who require ophthalmologic treatment were excluded from study. Mean baseline lesion counts were 20 and 21 for ORACEA and placebo patient groups respectively.

At Week 16, patients in the ORACEA group were evaluated using co-primary endpoints of mean reduction in lesion counts and a dichotomized static Investigator's Global Assessment of Clear or Almost Clear (defined as 1 to 2 small papules or pustules) when compared to the placebo group in both Phase 3 studies.

Table 2: Clinical Results of ORACEA versus Placebo
 Study 1Study 2
ORACEA
40 mg
N = 127
Placebo
N = 124
ORACEA
40 mg
N = 142
Placebo
N = 144
Mean Change in Lesion Count from Baseline-11.8-5.9-9.5-4.3
No. (%) of Subjects Clear or Almost Clear in the IGA Investigator's Global Assessment 39 (30.7%)24 (19.4%)21 (14.8%)9 (6.3%)

Patients treated with ORACEA did not demonstrate significant improvement in erythema when compared to those treated with placebo.

Page last updated: 2007-08-03

-- advertisement -- The American Red Cross
We comply with
HONcode standard.
Verify here.
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site usage policy | Privacy policy

All Rights reserved - Copyright DrugLib.com, 2006-2009