Background: (+/-)-Fluvastatin is a synthetic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor that selectively and competitively inhibits P450TB (CYP2C9) in vitro. The potential for kinetic interactions in vivo between fluvastatin and P450TB substrates was therefore investigated in healthy volunteers.
Methods: Diclofenac (25 mg orally) oxidation was used as a marker of P450TB activity on days 0, 1, and 8 of fluvastatin treatment (40 mg/day).
Results: Diclofenac peak concentration (Cmax) increased over time (0.28 [SD, 0.12], 0.38 [0.20], and 0.45 [0.4] mg/L on days 0, 1, and 8, respectively). Oral clearance was reduced on days 1 and 8 (14% and 15%, respectively). A time-dependent decrease in urinary metabolic ratio (MR, 4'-hydroxydiclofenac/diclofenac) was noted (1.07 [0.34], 0.90 [0.23] and 0.70 [0.18] on days 0, 1, and 8, respectively [p < 0.0001]) for the first 4 hours. The interaction was clear in only some individuals; MR reduction was related to baseline MR and it was more pronounced in subjects with a higher baseline MR (p < 0.01). Fluvastatin Cmax (0.18 [0.11] and 0.32 [0.1] mg/L on days 1 and 8, respectively) and area under the curve (0.28 [0.12] and 0.43 [0.15] hr.mg/L on days 1 and 8, respectively; p < 0.001) increased over time. Diclofenac MR reduction was correlated with fluvastatin concentrations.
Conclusions: Interactions between fluvastatin and P450TB substrates (phenytoin, oral anticoagulants, oral hypoglycemic agents, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs) may occur, at least in some patients.