MedPath

Pharmacokinetics of Intramuscular Adrenaline in Food--Allergic Teenagers

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Anaphylaxis
Interventions
Combination Product: Epipen 0.3mg
Combination Product: Emerade 300mcg
Combination Product: Emerade 500mcg
Registration Number
NCT03366298
Lead Sponsor
Imperial College London
Brief Summary

Food allergy affects up to 2% of adults and 8% of children in the United Kingdom (UK), and is a major public health issue. It is the commonest cause of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), which can be fatal. Adrenaline (epinephrine) auto-injector (AAI) devices are the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, yet in a UK survey, over 80% of 245 teenagers experiencing anaphylaxis did not use their AAI. Delays in, or lack of adrenaline (epinephrine) administration during anaphylaxis are risk factors for fatal anaphylaxis.

In 2010, a coroner's investigation into the death of a food-allergic teenager in the UK raised several questions around AAI safety and efficacy, since the teenager died despite administering her auto-injector device. This prompted a review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in 2014 into the clinical and quality considerations of AAIs. Two recommendations which came from the review was that companies 'should be encouraged to develop a 0.5mg \[dose\] AAI.' In the UK currently only Emerade, one of the three companies selling AAIs, manufactures a 0.5mg (500mcg) version. Emerade also has a longer needle length (23mm) compared to other AAIs (typically 15mm).

The investigators plan to formally assess the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of self-injection with intramuscular adrenaline (epinephrine) in teenagers at risk of anaphylaxis due to food allergy, and have been prescribed AAI.

1. The investigators will compare self-injection with 300mcg vs 500mcg in teenagers of body weight \>40kg. In a 40kg person, an adrenaline dose of 300mcg results in an effective UNDER-dosing of 30% by body weight.

2. The investigators will also assess the impact of needle length on injection, by comparing two different devices, both of which deliver 300mcg, but one via a 15mm needle and the other with a 23mm needle.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
12
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age 13 - 18 years inclusive
  • Body mass >40kg
  • Prescription of AAI due to physician diagnosis of Immunoglobulin E-mediated food allergy.
  • Written informed consent from parent/guardian together with patient assent, for participants under 16 years of age. For young people age 16+ years, consent will be obtained from the participant themselves.
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Known cardiac comorbidity (including hypertension, structural or electrophysiological diagnoses) or prescribed a medicine to control cardiovascular disease/hypertension.
  • Known endocrine or renal disease
  • Poorly controlled asthma requiring daily rescue treatment with a bronchodilator.
  • Pregnancy
  • Unwilling or unable to comply with study requirements
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
1Epipen 0.3mgVisit 1: Emerade 300mcg then Epipen 0.3mg Visit 2: Emerade 500mcg
1Emerade 500mcgVisit 1: Emerade 300mcg then Epipen 0.3mg Visit 2: Emerade 500mcg
2Epipen 0.3mgVisit 1: Epipen 0.3mg then Emerade 300mcg Visit 2: Emerade 500mcg
2Emerade 300mcgVisit 1: Epipen 0.3mg then Emerade 300mcg Visit 2: Emerade 500mcg
3Epipen 0.3mgVisit 1: Emerade 500mcg Visit 2: Emerade 300mcg then Epipen 0.3mg
3Emerade 500mcgVisit 1: Emerade 500mcg Visit 2: Emerade 300mcg then Epipen 0.3mg
2Emerade 500mcgVisit 1: Epipen 0.3mg then Emerade 300mcg Visit 2: Emerade 500mcg
1Emerade 300mcgVisit 1: Emerade 300mcg then Epipen 0.3mg Visit 2: Emerade 500mcg
3Emerade 300mcgVisit 1: Emerade 500mcg Visit 2: Emerade 300mcg then Epipen 0.3mg
4Epipen 0.3mgVisit 1: Emerade 500mcg Visit 2: Epipen 0.3mg then Emerade 300mcg
4Emerade 500mcgVisit 1: Emerade 500mcg Visit 2: Epipen 0.3mg then Emerade 300mcg
4Emerade 300mcgVisit 1: Emerade 500mcg Visit 2: Epipen 0.3mg then Emerade 300mcg
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Plasma Catecholamine Levels (Maximum Concentration, Cmax)3 hours

Pharmacokinetics (plasma catecholamine levels: Cmax) following intramuscular self-injection of 300mcg and 500mcg adrenaline using an auto-injector device, in food-allergic teenagers over 40kg.

Plasma Catecholamine Levels (Time to Maximum Concentration, Tmax)3 hours

Pharmacokinetics (plasma catecholamine levels: Tmax) following intramuscular self-injection of 300mcg and 500mcg adrenaline using an auto-injector device, in food-allergic teenagers over 40kg.

Plasma Catecholamine Levels (Maximum Concentration, Area-under-curve (AUC))At at the following timepoints following injection: 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 180 minutes

Pharmacokinetics (plasma catecholamine levels: AUC) following intramuscular self-injection of 300mcg and 500mcg adrenaline using an auto-injector device, in food-allergic teenagers over 40kg.

Baseline corrected.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Heart Rate Following Self-injection of Adrenaline (300mcg, 500mcg) on Separate Occasions.3 hours

Pharmacodynamics (heart rate) following intramuscular self-injection of 300mcg and 500mcg adrenaline using an auto-injector device, in food-allergic teenagers over 40kg.

Change in Blood Pressure Following Self-injection of Adrenaline (300mcg, 500mcg) on Separate Occasions.3 hours

Pharmacodynamics (blood pressure) following intramuscular self-injection of 300mcg and 500mcg adrenaline using an auto-injector device, in food-allergic teenagers over 40kg.

Change in Stroke Volume Following Self-injection of Adrenaline (300mcg, 500mcg) on Separate Occasions.3 hours

Pharmacodynamics (stroke volume) following intramuscular self-injection of 300mcg and 500mcg adrenaline using an auto-injector device, in food-allergic teenagers over 40kg.

Adverse Events Following Self-administration of Adrenaline Via Autoinjector Device1 day

Adverse events following self-administration of adrenaline via autoinjector device defined as in protocol

Change in Health-related Quality of Life (HRQL) as Measured Using FAQLQ1 month

The impact of self-administration of adrenaline autoinjectors (in a non-reaction setting) on health-related quality of life (HRQL) measures in food-allergic teenagers and their parents.

Impact of Needle Length on Pharmacokinetics (Plasma Catecholamine Levels: Cmax)3 hours

Pharmacokinetics (plasma catecholamine levels: Cmax) following intramuscular self-injection of 300mcg adrenaline using two auto-injector devices with different needle lengths (15mm vs 23mm), in food-allergic teenagers over 40kg.

Impact of Needle Length on Pharmacokinetics (Plasma Catecholamine Levels: Tmax)3 hours

Pharmacokinetics (plasma catecholamine levels: Tmax) following intramuscular self-injection of 300mcg adrenaline using two auto-injector devices with different needle lengths (15mm vs 23mm), in food-allergic teenagers over 40kg.

Impact of Needle Length on Pharmacodynamics (Cardiovascular Parameters: Heart Rate)3 hours

The pharmacodynamics (cardiovascular parameters: heart rate) following intramuscular self-injection of 300mcg adrenaline using two auto-injector devices with different needle lengths (15mm vs 23mm), in food-allergic teenagers over 40kg.

Impact of Needle Length on Pharmacodynamics (Cardiovascular Parameters: Blood Pressure)3 hours

The pharmacodynamics (cardiovascular parameters: blood pressure) following intramuscular self-injection of 300mcg adrenaline using two auto-injector devices with different needle lengths (15mm vs 23mm), in food-allergic teenagers over 40kg.

Impact of Needle Length on Pharmacokinetics (Plasma Catecholamine Levels: AUC)3 hours

Pharmacokinetics (plasma catecholamine levels: AUC) following intramuscular self-injection of 300mcg adrenaline using two auto-injector devices with different needle lengths (15mm vs 23mm), in food-allergic teenagers over 40kg.

Impact of Needle Length on Pharmacodynamics (Cardiovascular Parameters: Stroke Volume)3 hours

The pharmacodynamics (cardiovascular parameters: stroke volume) following intramuscular self-injection of 300mcg adrenaline using two auto-injector devices with different needle lengths (15mm vs 23mm), in food-allergic teenagers over 40kg.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Imperial College London / Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

🇬🇧

London, United Kingdom

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