Pharmacokinetics, dose proportionality, and tolerability of single and repeat doses of a nasal spray formulation of zolmitriptan in healthy volunteers

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics, dose proportionality, and tolerability of a range of single and multiple doses of a nasal spray formulation of zolmitriptan in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced, incomplete crossover study. Thirty healthy male or female volunteers received two of five dose levels of zolmitriptan nasal spray: 0 (placebo), 0.5, 1, 2.5, and 5 mg. At each level, treatment comprised a single dose on day 1 and two doses (separated by 2 h) on each of days 2, 3, and 4. Zolmitriptan was well tolerated, and symptoms were generally mild and of short duration. The most commonly reported adverse events were taste disturbance, paresthesia, hyperesthesia, headache, and nasal/throat discomfort. Volunteers generally reported fewer adverse events during the multiple-dose phase than after the single-dose phase. Zolmitriptan was detectable in plasma within 15 minutes, and t(max) was similar for each dose and after single and multiple dosing. Dose proportionality was shown for the C(max) and AUC of both zolmitriptan and its active metabolite, 183C91. Mean t1/2 for zolmitriptan and 183C91 was approximately 3 hours. It was concluded that the pharmacokinetics (C(max) and AUC) for both zolmitriptan and 183C91 was proportional to dose after both single and multiple dosing. Nasal spray zolmitriptan was well tolerated; the frequency and nature of adverse events did not increase after multiple dosing.