Abstract
Objective:
We studied the possible interaction between itraconazole, a potent inhibitor of CYP3A, and zopiclone, a short-acting hypnotic.
Methods:
A double-blind, randomized, two-phase crossover design was used. Ten healthy young subjects received daily either 200 mg itraconazole or placebo for 4 days. On day 4 they ingested a single 7.5-mg oral dose of zopiclone. Plasma concentrations of zopiclone and itraconazole were determined and pharmacodynamic responses were measured up to 17 h.
Results:
Itraconazole significantly increased the Cmax of zopiclone from 49 to 63 ng ⋅ ml−1. The t1/2 of zopiclone was prolonged from 5.0 to 7.0 h. The AUC(0–∞) of zopiclone was increased from 415 to 719 ng ⋅ ml−1 h by itraconazole. No statistically significant differences were observed in the pharmacodynamic responses between the groups.
Conclusion:
Itraconazole has a statistically significant pharmacokinetic interaction with zopiclone but this is only of limited clinical importance, at least in young adults.
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Received: 15 April 1996 /Accepted in revised form: 4 June 1996
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Jalava, KM., Olkkola, K. & Neuvonen, P. Effect of itraconazole on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of zopiclone. E J Clin Pharmacol 51, 331–334 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002280050207
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002280050207