Background: Imrecoxib is a novel and moderately selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor with properties of anti-inflammation and alleviating pain, which is widely applied in osteoarthritis patients. The pharmacokinetic data supporting imrecoxib’s rational use in elderly population are not available.
Purpose: The study aims to investigate the pharmacokinetics of imrecoxib and its main metabolites and explore the safety of imrecoxib in elderly healthy subjects.
Methods: A total of 19 healthy subjects including 10 non-elderly and 9 elderly subjects received single dose of 100 mg imrecoxib under fasting condition. Pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability profiles were assessed.
Results: After oral administration of single dose of 100 mg imrecoxib, it was absorbed into plasma with median time to reach peak concentration (T_max) around 2 hours. The concentration–time curves of imrecoxib (M0) showed higher interindividual variability in elderly subjects compared with non-elderly subjects. Peak concentration (C_max) of M0, its hydroxyl metabolite M1 and carboxylated metabolite M2 in plasma increased by 39%, 21% and 17%, and area under concentration–time curve from time 0 to time t (AUC_0-t) of M0, M1 and M2 in plasma increased by 34%, 13% and 27%, respectively, in elderly subjects compared with non-elderly subjects. The 90% CIs of geometric mean ratios of C_max, AUC_0-t and AUC_0-∞ of M0, M1 and M2 between the two groups were not located within 80– 125%, indicating C_max, AUC_0-t and AUC_0-∞ were not completely equivalent between non-elderly and elderly healthy subjects. However, comparison of pharmacokinetic data of M0, M1 and M2 between the two groups showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). Imrecoxib was well tolerated in both non-elderly and elderly healthy subjects, especially with favorable gastrointestinal and cardiovascular safety profiles.
Conclusion: Pharmacokinetic and safety profiles of imrecoxib in elderly healthy subjects indicated that no dose adjustment should be required for elderly population.
Keywords: cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, imrecoxib, pharmacokinetics, safety, elderly