Effect of Slow Release Hydrocortisone on Fed & Fasting Volunteers; Immediate Release on Fasting Only

Phase 1

Completed

Conditions: Healthy

Interventions: Drug: Dexamethasone

Registration Number: NCT02408068

Lead Sponsor: Diurnal Limited

Brief Summary: The purpose of the study is to find out whether food has an effect on the way the body deals with modified release hydrocortisone, and to compare with the pharmacokinetics of immediate release hydrocortisone (fasted). This information will be used to help doctors with dosing in clinical practice.

Detailed Description: This is a phase I study in healthy male volunteers, who will be given dexamethasone to suppress their natural cortisol production. 18 will be consented for the study. They will have had a history and a physical examination, blood tests for routine safety, hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), drug abuse and Electrocardiograms (ECGs). Following the results of these tests and the inclusion/exclusion criteria for the study, they will be admitted to the phase I unit on the first afternoon (Day -1). They will be given dexamethasone at 22.00hrs that evening, and remain in the unit until the end of the period. Further dexamethasone doses will be given at 06:00, 12:00, and 18:00 hours on Day 1 (plus at 22:00 hours in patients given the modified release study drug). Each volunteer will be admitted for 3 periods of approximately 1.5 days, with a washout of 7 days between periods, and they will be randomised to either fast and take a single 20mg dose of immediate release hydrocortisone, to fast and take a single 20mg dose of the study medication, (a modified release hydrocortisone), or to the "fed" group, where they take a single dose of 20mg study medication, and have a highly calorific standardised breakfast. The volunteers will have cannulae to enable one pre-dose blood sample to be taken followed by 24 hour Pharmacokinetic (PK) sampling (modified release) and 12 hour PK sampling for the immediate release period. After these samples have been taken the volunteers will be able to leave the unit. There will be another assessment 3 to 5 days after study period 3 with further blood tests, assessment of any adverse events etc.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: Male

Target Recruitment: 18

Inclusion Criteria

Healthy male volunteers between 18 and 60 years of age, inclusive (at screening)
A body mass index of 21-28 (inclusive).
No clinically significant abnormal serum biochemistry, haematology and urine examination values
A negative urinary drugs of abuse screen. A positive alcohol test may be repeated at the discretion of the investigator.
Negative Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis b & C results
No clinically significant abnormalities in 12-lead Electrocardiogram (ECG)
No clinically significant deviation outside the normal ranges for blood pressure and pulse measurements
Subjects (unless anatomically sterile or where abstaining from sexual intercourse is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject) and sexual partners must use effective contraception methods during the trial and for 3 months after the last dose, for example:
- Oral contraceptive + condom
- Intra-uterine device + condom
- Diaphragm with spermicide + condom
Subjects must be available to complete the study
Subjects must provide written informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

A clinically significant history of gastrointestinal disorder likely to influence drug absorption
Receipt of regular medication (including high dose vitamins, dietary supplements or herbal remedies)
Evidence of renal, hepatic, central nervous system, respiratory, cardiovascular or metabolic dysfunction Receipt of any vaccination within the previous one month
Presence of clinically significant infections (systemic fungal and viral infections, acute bacterial infections)
Current of previous history of tuberculosis
A clinically significant history of previous allergy/sensitivity to hydrocortisone and/or dexamethasone
A clinically significant history of family history of psychiatric disorders/illnesses
A clinically significant history of drug or alcohol abuse
Inability to communicate well with the investigator (ie language problem, poor mental development or impaired cerebral function)
Participation in a New Chemical entity clinical study within the previous four months or a marketed drug clinical study within the previous three months
Subjects who have consumed more than two units of alcohol pre day within seven days prior to the first dose or have consumed any alcohol within the 48hr period prior to the first dose
Donation of greater than or equal to 450ml blood within the previous three months
Subjects who smoke or ex-smokers who have smoked within six months prior to first dose
Subjects who work shifts (ie regularly alternate between days, afternoons and nights)

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Chronocort : fed	Dexamethasone	Volunteers will be admitted, take dexamethasone at 22.00hrs, fast overnight, and receive a high fat, high calorie breakfast on the morning of Day 1. Thirty minutes after the start of the breakfast they will receive 20mg of modified release hydrocortisone with 200 millilitres of water, and no further food for 4 hours, water will be allowed from 1 hour after the food. Further dexamethasone doses will be given at 06:00, 12:00, 18:00 and 22:00 hours on Day 1. One baseline pharmacokinetics (PK) sample will be taken starting prior to the dose and then over 24 hours (29 samples).
Immediate release hydrocortisone: fasted	Dexamethasone	Volunteers will be admitted, take dexamethasone at 22.00hrs, fast overnight, and take 20mg immediate release hydrocortisone with 200 millilitres of water on the morning of Day 1. Water will be allowed 1hr after the study drug, but no food for at least 4hrs post dose. Further dexamethasone doses will be given at 06:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours on Day 1. One baseline pharmacokinetics (PK) sample will be taken prior to the dose, and then afterwards for over a 12 hour period (16 samples)
Chronocort: fasted	Dexamethasone	Volunteers will be admitted, take dexamethasone at 22.00hrs, fast overnight, and take 20mg modified release hydrocortisone with 200millilitres of water on the morning of Day 1. Water will be allowed 1hr after the dose, but no food for at least 4hrs post dose. Further dexamethasone doses will be given at 06:00, 12:00, 18:00 and 22:00 hours on Day 1. One baseline pharmacokinetics (PK) sample will be taken prior to the dose, and then afterwards for over a 12 hour period (16 samples)

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Chronocort Cmax	24 hours	Comparison of fed and fasted Chronocort Cmax for serum cortisol.
Comparison of Fed and Fasted Chronocort Tmax	24 hours	Comparison of Fed and Fasted Chronocort based on the time to achive the maximum concentration of serum cortisol
Comparison of Fed and Fasted Chronocort AUC0-t	24 hours (at 0h, then 0.5h, 1h, 1.5h, 2h, 2.5h, 3h, 3.5h, 4h, 4.5h, 5h, 5.5h, 6h, 6.5h, 7h, 7.5h, 8h, 9h, 10h, 11h, 12h, 13h, 14h, 15h, 16h, 18h, 20h, 22h and 24h post-dose.)	Area under the curve from 0 to 24 hours for serum cortisol. Please note that the AUC0-t will be presented as a single figure (geometric mean) to represent exposure over time. N.B., the sampling points for Hydrocortisone are as follows: 0h, 0.25h, 0.5h, 0.75h, 1h, 1.5h, 2h, 2.5h, 3h, 4h, 5h, 6h, 8h, 10h and 12h post-dose. However, the results for Hydrocortisone will not be incorporated into the analysis for this outcome measure.
Bioavailability of Chronocort® vs Hydrocortisone Tablets - Fasted Using AUC0-t	24 hours	To evaluate the relative bioavailability of Chronocort® and immediate release hydrocortisone at a single dose of 20 mg in the fasted state using area under the curve
Bioavailability of Chronocort® vs Hydrocortisone Tablets - Fasted Using Tmax.	24 hours	To evaluate the relative bioavailability of Chronocort® and immediate release hydrocortisone at a single dose of 20 mg in the fasted state using Tmax.
Bioavailability of Chronocort® vs Hydrocortisone Tablets - Cmax	24 hours	Evaluation of the relative bioavailability of Chronocort® and immediate release hydrocortisone at a single dose of 20 mg in the fasted state by Cmax