A study of a skin patch containing two medicines (physostigmine and hyoscine) in healthy male participants to assess the blood levels of the two medicines and any associated symptoms.

ISRCTN ISRCTN10362655
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10362655
EudraCT/CTIS number 2012-004428-39
ClinicalTrials.gov number N/A
Secondary identifying numbers RD 209/25394
Submission date
15/11/2018
Registration date
07/03/2019
Last edited
08/03/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Injury, Occupational Diseases, Poisoning
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
A patch for application to the skin containing two medicines (physostigmine and hyoscine) has been developed to be worn by military and support personnel at risk of poisoning by nerve agents. The patch is designed to allow these medicines to cross the skin barrier into the bloodstream. The aim of this study was to measure the amount of physostigmine and hyoscine in the blood at different times and assess the symptoms associated with wearing the patch. The patches were applied for a 24 hour period on each of two days separated by at least one week. The study also assessed the way in which the physostigmine in the patch affected the activity of an enzyme in the blood called acetylcholinesterase (AChE).

Who can participate?
Healthy male subjects between 18 and 40 years old were able to be considered for the study.

What does the study involve?
Each subject wore the PHP patch for 24 hours on two occasions separated by at least one week. On each occasion blood samples were taken before and after patch application to measure the amounts of the medicines physostigmine and hyoscine. In addition the activity of the enzyme AChE was measured in these blood samples. The effects of the patch were assessed by recording the condition of the skin under the patch at set times and any unwanted symptoms that were experienced. Heart rate, blood pressure and electrical activity of the heart (ECG) were also recorded at set times.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There were no direct individual benefits for the subjects participating. However, the information collected from these individuals added to the scientific knowledge about the PHP patch. All medicinal products have a risk of causing side effects. The most common side effects known about for the PHP patch and seen in this study were itching and redness at the sites on the arm where the patch was applied. Some subjects also experienced a feeling of sickness and some had disturbed sleep.

Where is the study run from?
The study was run at one clinical research centre, Simbec Research Limited.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study started in February 2014 and ended in June 2014.

Who is funding the study?
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.

Who is the main contact?
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
centralenquiries@dstl.gov.uk

Study website

Contact information

Dr Medical Advisor
Public

Dstl
Porton Down
SP4 0JQ
United Kingdom

Study information

Study designOpen-label replicate single-dose study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Other
Study typePrevention
Participant information sheet No participant information sheet available.
Scientific titleAn open, replicate, two-period, single and multiple-dose, pharmacokinetic and tolerability study of the PHP (150 g/m2) transdermal patch containing physostigmine and hyoscine in healthy, adult Caucasian males.
Study acronymN/A
Study objectivesThe PHP 150 g/m2 transdermal patch is safe and well tolerated and has appropriate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics profiles.
Ethics approval(s)Approved 12/10/2013, Ministry of Defence Research Ethics Committee (MoDREC), ref: 384/PPE/12.
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPotential risk of poisoning by nerve agent
InterventionEach subject received 2 single applications of a transdermal patch containing physostigmine and hyoscine (150 g/m2) worn with an armband for 24 h over 2 periods (one application/period).
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhasePhase I
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Physostigmine, hyoscine
Primary outcome measurePlasma PK and intra-subject PK variability of physostigmine and hyoscine after single and multiple dosing of the PHP (150 g/m2):
1. Plasma concentrations of physostigmine measured at: Plasma PK at pre-determined times throughout both period 1 and period 2- Day 1 pre-dose, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24 (Day 2), 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 48 (Day 3), 72 (Day 4), 96 (Day 5) and follow-up (168 (Day 8) h post-dose). Assay method-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay.
2. Plasma concentrations of hyoscine measured at: Plasma PK at pre-determined times throughout both period 1 and period 2 - Day 1 pre-dose, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24 (Day 2), 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 48 (Day 3), 72 (Day 4), 96 (Day 5) and follow-up (168 (Day 8) h post-dose). Assay method-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay.
Secondary outcome measuresThe local tolerability of the PHP (150 g/m2) transdermal patch and and its PD profile were measured using the assay method-spectrophotometric method to measure red cell acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Activity was measured at pre-determined times throughout both period 1 and period 2- at baseline (Day -1 and Day 0), Day 1 pre-dose, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24 (Day 2), 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 48 (Day 3), 72 (Day 4) and follow-up (168 (Day 8) h post-dose).
Overall study start date31/01/2014
Completion date04/06/2014

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit40 Years
SexMale
Target number of participants36
Total final enrolment35
Key inclusion criteria1. Able to give written informed consent prior to study participation
2. Healthy Caucasian male participants aged 18-40 years (inclusive).
3. Body mass index (BMI) within the range of ≥19 and ≤30 kg/m2.
4. Supine vital signs with no clinically significant deviations outside the following ranges:
4.1. Heart rate 40-90 bpm
4.2. Systolic blood pressure 90-140 mmHg
4.3. Diastolic blood pressure 50-90 mmHg
5. Agreement not to attempt to father a child during the study or for 3 months after treatment. Participants with a partner who could become pregnant must have agreed to use a reliable form of contraception during the trial and for 3 months afterwards, e.g. condom, established use of oral, injected or implanted hormonal contraceptive, intra-uterine device, diaphragm with spermicide.
6. Able to communicate well with the Investigator and to comply with the requirements of the study.
Key exclusion criteria1. Presence of any clinically significant medical condition as determined by the Investigator
2. Any surgical or medical condition which might have significantly altered the absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion of any drug (e.g. renal or liver disease, respiratory, immunological, endocrine or neurological disorders)
3. Any ECG abnormality considered to be clinically significant i.e. prolongation of QT/QTc interval >450 msec or history of additional risk factors for Torsades de Point (heart failure, hypokalemia, family history of long QT syndrome)
4. Known or suspected hypersensitivity or idiosyncratic reaction to any of the study products
5. History of asthma (within the previous 10 years), exercise-induced bronchospasm or relevant seasonal bronchospasm
6. Lung function of less than 80% of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC)
7. Any history of contact dermatitis
8. Any skin disorder, broken skin, scars, tattoos at the sites of patch application (i.e. on both upper arms)
9. Glaucoma or a history of glaucoma in first-degree relatives (i.e. parents, siblings or offspring)
10. Presence of anterior chamber narrow angle (Van Herrick Grade 1 and 2)
11. Intraocular pressure exceeding 20 mmHg
12. Contact lens wearer
13. History or evidence of drug abuse (opiates, methadone, cocaine, amphetamines, cannabinoids or barbiturates)
14. Positive urine test for alcohol (test could have been repeated at baseline (Day -1 and Day 0), at the Investigator’s discretion)
15. History or evidence of alcohol abuse defined as an intake of more than 28 units per week where 1 unit corresponds to 250 ml beer, 20 ml spirits/liqueur or 100 ml of wine
16. Participation in a new chemical entity (NCE) clinical study within the last 4 months or a marketed drug clinical study within the previous 3 months. (N.B. Washout period between studies defined as the period of time elapsed between the last dose of the previous study and the first dose of the next study.)
17. Use of any prescription medication within the last 14 days
18. Use of non-prescription medication (apart from paracetamol and ibuprofen) within the last 7 days that may have impacted on the safety and objectives of the study (at the Investigator’s discretion)
19. Donation of blood or blood products within the last 3 months, or the intention to donate blood or blood products within 3 months after completion of the study
Date of first enrolment11/02/2014
Date of final enrolment04/06/2014

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • United Kingdom
  • Wales

Study participating centre

Simbec Research Ltd
Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 4DR
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Dstl
Government

Porton Down
Salisbury
SP4 0JQ
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04jswqb94

Funders

Funder type

Government

Ministry of Defence
Government organisation / National government
Alternative name(s)
MOD
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date04/06/2020
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot expected to be made available
Publication and dissemination planPublication in an appropriate peer-reviewed journal will be considered later in the development programme.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are not expected to be made available due to lack of original subject consent.

Editorial Notes

08/03/2019: Internal review.