Enzyme induction observed in healthy volunteers after repeated administration of rifapentine and its lack of effect on steady-state rifapentine pharmacokinetics: part I.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of rifapentine on hepatic mixed function oxidase activity and to assess the effect of enzyme induction on the steady-state pharmacokinetics of rifapentine. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-three healthy males were randomized to receive two of the following treatments in a two-period, four-treatment, incomplete block, crossover design: single daily oral rifapentine doses of 150 mg (group A), 300 mg (group B), or 600 mg (group C) on study days 1 and 4-10, or single oral rifapentine 600 mg doses given every 3 days for a total of four doses (group D). Serial blood samples were collected after the first and last rifapentine dose and assayed for rifapentine and its active metabolite, 25-desacetyl-rifapentine. Urine was collected for determination of cortisol and 6-hydroxycortisol concentrations. RESULTS: The ratio of 6beta-hydroxycortisol:cortisol increased during rifapentine administration (+229%, +317%, and +357% on day 10 for groups A, B, and C, respectively). Ratios returned to baseline 2 weeks after the last dose. The per cent increase in the ratio of 6beta-hydroxycortisol:cortisol following daily doses (+357%) was much higher compared with every 72-hour dosing (+236%). Single-dose and steady-state comparisons of AUCss(0-24) and AUC(0-->infinity) for both rifapentine and 25-desacetyl-rifapentine were similar (P = NS) at corresponding doses of rifapentine. Mean t(1/2) at steady-state was 84-98% of corresponding single-dose values. CONCLUSION: Rifapentine is a potent inducer of CYP3A activity. However, single-dose pharmacokinetics of rifapentine predict steady-state exposure, indicating no autoinduction of rifapentine metabolism with repeated administration. Enzyme activity returns to predose levels within 2 weeks of the last daily dose of rifapentine.