The effect of food on the absorption and pharmacokinetics of rivaroxaban.

Objective: Doses of 10 mg, 15 mg, and 20 mg of rivaroxaban are approved for the treatment and prevention of thromboembolic disorders in adult patients. In six Phase I studies, the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, and 20 mg rivaroxaban were investigated in healthy male subjects, and the influence of food on these parameters was investigated for the 10 mg, 15 mg, and 20 mg tablet doses. In addition, an oral suspension containing 1 mg/ml rivaroxaban, which is under investigation for future use in the pediatric population, was investigated at doses of 10 mg and 20 mg.

Materials: Rivaroxaban was obtained from Bayer Pharma AG, Wuppertal, Germany.

Methods: Six independent, single-dose, cross-over studies were performed in healthy male subjects (between 13 and 24 subjects were enrolled in each study) to determine the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of rivaroxaban under fasting and fed conditions. Study 1 was an absolute bioavailability study that compared 5 mg and 20 mg tablet doses with a 1 mg intravenous solution. Studies 2 and 3 were confirmatory food-effect studies that assessed 10 mg and 20 mg tablet doses, respectively, under fed and fasting conditions. Study 4 was a formulation study that evaluated oral suspensions of 10 mg (fasting) and 20 mg (fasting and fed) rivaroxaban vs. a 10 mg tablet (fasted). Study 5 was a dose-proportionality study that assessed 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg tablets under fasting conditions. Study 6 was a dose-proportionality study that assessed tablet doses of 10 mg, 15 mg, and 20 mg under fed conditions. Pharmacokinetic parameters, including the area under the plasma concentration-time curve after a single dose, the maximum drug concentration in plasma after a single dose, dose-adjusted values of area under the plasma concentration-time curve and maximum drug concentration in plasma after a single dose, half-life associated with the terminal slope, and time to maximum concentration in plasma after a single dose were evaluated. Adverse events were classified according to their degree of severity and were summarized using Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities preferred terms.

Results: At all doses, rivaroxaban showed an acceptable safety profile and was well tolerated in healthy individuals. Independent of food and formulation, pharmacokinetic parameters of doses up to 10 mg rivaroxaban were dose proportional and had high oral bioavailability (≥ 80%). Under fasting conditions, pharmacokinetic parameters of 15 mg and 20 mg rivaroxaban increased with dose but were less than dose proportional. However, when taken with food, high bioavailability (≥ 80%) of these doses was achieved independent of formulation.

Conclusion: Pharmacokinetic parameters of doses up to 10 mg rivaroxaban were dose proportional and had high oral bioavailability independent of food or whether administered as tablet or solution. High bioavailability (≥ 80%) of 15 mg and 20 mg rivaroxaban was achieved when taken with food; therefore, these doses need to be taken with food.