Bidirectional Pharmacokinetic Interaction Between Amodiaquine and Pioglitazone in Healthy Subjects

Amodiaquine (AQ) and pioglitazone (PGZ) are both metabolized by CYP2C8, an enzyme also inhibited by PGZ. These drugs are likely to be administered in instances of comorbidity of malaria with type 2 diabetes. This study, hence, evaluated the possibility of a drug interaction resulting from the concurrent use of both drugs. A 3-period crossover design in 10 healthy subjects, that assessed the disposition of AQ and PGZ alone and when coadministered, was implemented with the administration of single oral doses of AQ and PGZ. Whole-blood samples collected between 0 and 24 hours on protein saver cards across the study periods were processed and analyzed for AQ and PGZ contents. Pharmacokinetic parameters were derived by a noncompartmental analysis. Geometric mean ratios for the C_max , area under the concentration-time curve for 24 hours (AUC_0-24h ), and AUC_0-∞ , alongside their corresponding 90%CIs, were compared across the study periods to infer clinically significant changes in disposition. The coadministration of AQ and PGZ resulted in decreases of about 38% and 54% in the C_max and AUC_0-24h of AQ, respectively. For PGZ, the C_max increased by about 50%, and AUC_0-24 rose by 48%. The 90%CIs of geometric mean ratios for the C_max , AUC_0-24h , and AUC_0-∞ were all outside the expected bioequivalence interval of 80% to 125% for both drugs, implying significant interactions. These findings suggest that a bidirectional interaction between AQ and PGZ, with likely implications for the therapy and toxicity of both drugs, may occur in the event of their coadministration.