Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
A skin patch containing two medicines (physostigmine and hyoscine) has been developed. The skin patch releases these medicines enabling them to cross the skin 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 any associated symptoms with two different patch sizes (21cm² and 25cm²). The participants in the study are healthy female participants. All the previously conducted studies on the skin patch involved healthy men.
Who can participate?
Study participants are females aged between 18 and 45 years.
What does the study involve?
Each participant in period 1 of the study will wear an active F11 transdermal patch (21 cm²) for 72 hours. Each participant in period 2 will wear a larger size F11 transdermal patch (25 cm²) for 72 hours. Each participant in period 3 will wear three consecutive active or placebo F11 transdermal patches (21 cm²) for 9 days. Each patch will be applied for a period of 72 hours.
Blood samples are taken before and after patch application to measure the amounts of the two medicines (physostigmine and hyoscine). In addition the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AchE) is measured in these blood samples. The condition of the skin under the patch is recorded at set times and any symptoms experienced while it is worn are noted. Heart rate, blood pressure, electrical activity of the heart (ECG), tests of vison and cognitive function are also recorded at set times.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no direct benefits for the individuals participating in this study. However, the information collected from the study will add to the scientific knowledge about the physostigmine and hyoscine patch. All medicinal products may cause side effects. The most common side effects known about the medicines in the patch are nausea and vomiting due to physostigmine and blurred vision and dry mouth due to hyoscine. Single and multiple applications of the F-11/21 patch are considered to be well-tolerated.
Where is the study run from?
The study was conducted at Simbec Research Limited, UK.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2006 to November 2008.
Who is funding the study?
UK Ministry of Defence
Who is the main contact?
centralenquiries@dstl.gov.uk
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Medical Advisor
ORCID ID
Contact details
Porton Down
Salisbury
SP4 OJQ
United Kingdom
-
centralenquiries@dstl.gov.uk
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
2006-006809-90
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Nil known
Protocol/serial number
RD 209/24426
Study information
Scientific title
A study to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a single
application (one or two dose levels) and multiple applications (one dose level) of the transdermal
patch formulations of physostigmine and hyoscine in healthy female subjects
Acronym
Study hypothesis
The aim of this study is to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single (two dose levels) and repeat application (one dose level) of a transdermal patch containing physostigmine and hyoscine, in healthy female participants.
Ethics approval
Approved 19/03/2007, South East Wales Local Research Ethics Committees (LREC) (Churchill House, 17 Churchill Way, Cardiff, CF10 2TW, UK; +44 (0)2920402402; no email address provided), ref: 07/WSE04/24
Study design
Single centre 3-part randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study of 2 dose levels
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Other
Trial type
Other
Patient information sheet
No participant information sheet available
Condition
Potential risk of poisoning by nerve agent
Intervention
Generic drug name- physostigmine and hyoscine (transdermal patch)
Dosage - period 1: a single 72 hour application of active 21 cm² patch formulation F-11 (F11/21)
Dosage - period 2: a single 72 hour application of active 25 cm² patch formulation F-11 (F11/25)
Dosage- period 3: three consecutive 72 hour applications of active or placebo 21cm² patch formulation F-11 (F11/21)
Randomisation:
A sequential three-digit subject (randomisation) number was assigned once subjects were enrolled in the study. In the randomised, placebo-controlled, part of the trial (Period 3) active or placebo patches were allocated according to the randomisation schedule produced by the CRO.
Intervention type
Drug
Phase
Phase I
Drug names
Physostigmine and hyoscine
Primary outcome measure
The safety and tolerability of physostigmine/hyoscine transdermal patches assessed by monitoring vital signs, ECG, ocular function (near point), patch application site assessment, using digital photography. Tests performed at intervals for up to 96 hours after patch application and at follow up after periods 1 and 2. In period 3 these safety measures are conducted at up to 240 hours after first patch application and at follow up.
Secondary outcome measures
1. The pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles of physostigmine and hyoscine measured in periods 1 and 2 at pre-dose and regular intervals up to 96 hours after patch application. In period 3 the blood levels of these medicines was measured at pre-dose and up to 240 hours after first patch application. Assay by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method. Acetylcholinesterase levels measured at baseline, pre-dose, and intervals up to 240 hours after patch application. Method was validated spectrophotometric method
2. The cognitive and ocular effects of physostigmine and hyoscine measured by a set of attention tests and light responsiveness/ vision accommodation tests respectively
Overall trial start date
12/09/2006
Overall trial end date
12/11/2008
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
Screening (all periods):
1. Ability to give written informed consent prior to study participation
2. Healthy Caucasian female subjects aged between 18 and 45 years (inclusive)
3. A female with a documented record of surgical sterilisation, or of child-bearing potential could be enrolled provided she:
3.1. Had a negative pregnancy test prior to entry into the study and agreed not to attempt to become pregnant during the study.
3.2. Is routinely using adequate hormonal contraception (including hormonal implants, depot injections, and hormone-impregnated IUDs when supplemented by a barrier method) which had not been changed in the three months before the study; agreed to continue to do so during the study, and agreed to use an additional barrier method for the duration of the study and for 28 days after study completion
3.3. Is not breastfeeding
4. Body Mass Index (BMI) within the range of ≥21 and ≤30 kg/m²
5. Individual vital signs must be within the following ranges:
5.1. Pulse rate 50-90 bpm
5.2. Systolic blood pressure 100-140 mmHg
5.3. Diastolic blood pressure 50-90 mmHg
6. Ability to communicate well with the investigator and comply with the requirements of the study
7. Subjects intending to take part in two study periods must agree not to take part in another clinical study involving blood sampling for a further 4 months (due to the relatively high amount of blood required for this study)
Participant type
Healthy volunteer
Age group
Adult
Gender
Male
Target number of participants
36 subjects
Participant exclusion criteria
Screening (all periods):
1. Presence of any clinically significant medical condition as determined by the Investigator
2. Any surgical or medical condition which might significantly alter the absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion of any drug (e.g. renal or liver disease, respiratory, immunological, endocrine or neurological disorders).
3. Any clinically-significant ECG abnormality other than sinus bradycardia or respiratory sinus arrhythmia
4. Evidence of postural hypotension (BP measurement after 5 minutes supine and again after 2 minutes standing, defined as a decrease between the two measurements of more than 20 mmHg (systolic)
5. Known or suspected hypersensitivity or idiosyncratic reaction related to any of the study products
6. Any history of contact dermatitis
7. A dibucaine number of less than 70
8. Any skin disorder, broken skin, scars, tattoos at the sites of patch application (i.e. on both arms, if volunteer planned to take part in more than one patch administration)
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. Intra-ocular pressure exceeding 20 mmHg
12. Uncorrected vision in either eye of worse than 6/9 on the Snellen Scale
13. Corrected vision of 6/9 or better on the Snellen Scale when wearing +2.25 dioptre reading glasses.
14. Require glasses or contact lenses for distance vision
15. History of asthma (within the previous 10 years), exercise induced bronchospasm or relevant seasonal bronchospasm
16. Lung function of less than 80% of predicted FEV1 and FVC values
17. History or evidence of drug abuse (opiates, methadone, cocaine, amphetamines, cannabinoids, barbiturates)
18. Positive test for HIV, Hepatitis B surface antigen or Hepatitis C antibody
19. History or evidence of alcohol abuse defined as an intake of more than 21 units per week (where 1 unit corresponds to 250 ml beer, 20 ml spirits/liqueur or one glass (100 ml) of wine)
20. Positive urine test for alcohol
21. Participation in another clinical study within the last three months
22. Use of any prescription medication within the last 14 days (with the exception of hormonal contraception)
23. Use of non-prescription medication that may have impacted the safety aspects and objectives of the study, within the last 7 days (apart from paracetamol)
24. 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 if taking part in one study period or donated blood or blood products within 4 months after completion of the study if taking part in two study periods
Baseline (all periods):
1. Evidence of postural hypotension (BP measurement after 5 minutes supine and again after 2 minutes standing, defined as a decrease between the two measurements of more than 20 mmHg (systolic)
2. Development of any exclusion criteria since last visit
3. Positive urine test for alcohol
4. Positive drugs of abuse test
5. Negative pregnancy test (if appropriate)
6. Use of any prescription medication since last visit (with the exception of hormonal contraception)
7. Use of non-prescription medication that may impact the safety aspects and objectives of the study, within the last 7 days (apart from paracetamol)
Recruitment start date
19/03/2007
Recruitment end date
20/07/2007
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
Simbec Research Limited
Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 4DR
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Organisation
Dstl
Sponsor details
Porton Down
Salisbury
SP4 OJQ
United Kingdom
-
centralenquiries@dstl.gov.uk
Sponsor type
Government
Website
Funders
Funder type
Government
Funder name
Ministry of Defence
Alternative name(s)
MOD
Funding Body Type
government organisation
Funding Body Subtype
National government
Location
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Our intention is to submit the results of this study for publication in an academic journal later in the development programme.
IPD sharing statement:
The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are not expected to be made available due to confidentiality.
Intention to publish date
15/01/2021
Participant level data
Not expected to be available
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list