s have demonstrated that cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) is the major isoform involved in ritonavir metabolism, although CYP2D6 also contributes to the formation of M-2.
Elimination
In a study of five subjects receiving a 600 mg dose of 14C-ritonavir oral solution, 11.3±2.8% of the dose was excreted into the urine, with 3.5 ± 1.8% of the dose excreted as unchanged parent drug. In that study, 86.4 ± 2.9% of the dose was excreted in the feces with 33.8 ± 10.8% of the dose excreted as unchanged parent drug. Upon multiple dosing, ritonavir accumulation is less than predicted from a single dose possibly due to a time and dose-related increase in clearance.
Table1. Ritonavir Pharmacokinetic Characteristics Parameter n Values (Mean ± SD)
† SS = steady state; patients taking ritonavir 600 mg q12h.
‡ Single ritonavir 600 mg dose.
* Primarily bound to human serum albumin and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein over the ritonavir concentration range of 0.01 to 30 µg/mL.
Cmax SS† 10 11.2 ± 3.6 µg/mL
Ctrough SS† 10 3.7 ± 2.6 µg/mL
Vβ/F‡ 91 0.41 ± 0.25 L/kg
t½ 3 - 5 h
CL/F SS† 10 8.8 ± 3.2 L/h
CL/F‡ 91 4.6 ± 1.6 L/h
CLR 62 < 0.1 L/h
RBC/Plasma Ratio 0.14
Percent Bound* 98 to 99%
Effects on Electrocardiogram
QTcF interval was eva luated in a randomized, placebo and active (moxifloxacin 400 mg once-daily) controlled crossover study in 45 healthy adults, with 10 measurements over 12 hours on Day 3. The maximum mean (95% upper confidence bound) time-matched difference in QTcF from placebo after baseline correction was 5.5 (7.6) milliseconds (msec) for 400 mg twice-daily ritonavir. Ritonavir 400 mg twice daily resulted in Day 3 ritonavir exposure that was approximately 1.5 fold higher than observed with ritonavir 600 mg twice-daily dose at steady state.
PR interval prolongation was also noted in subjects receiving ritonavir in the same study on Day 3. The maximum mean (95% confidence interval) difference from placebo in the PR interval after baseline correction was 22 (25) msec for 400 mg twice-daily ritonavir (See PRECAUTIONS – PR Interval Prolongation).
Special Populations
Gender, Race and Age
No age-related pharmacokinetic differences have been observed in adult patients (18 to 63 years). Ritonavir pharmacokinetics have not been studied in older patients.
A study of ritonavir pharmacokinetics in healthy males and females showed no statistically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of ritonavir. Pharmacokinetic differences due to race have not been identified.
Pediatric Patients
Steady-state pharmacokinetics were eva luated in 37 HIV-infected patients ages 2 to 14 years receiving doses ranging from 250 mg/m2 twice-daily to 400 mg/m2 twice-daily in PACTG Study 310, and in 41 HIV-infected patients ages 1 month to 2 years at doses of 350 and 450 mg/m2 twice-daily in PACTG Study 345. Across dose groups, ritonavir steady-state oral clearance (CL/F/m2) was approximately 1.5 to 1.7 times faster in pediatric patients than in adult subjects. Ritonavir concentrations obtained after 350 to 400 mg/m2 twice-daily in pediatric patients > 2 years were comparable to those obtained in adults receiving 600 mg (approximately 330 mg/m2) twice-daily. The following observations were seen regarding ritonavir concentrations af
