A programme to develop a skin patch containing two medicines (physostigmine and hyoscine), Study 3: Assessment of blood levels of the two medicines and any associated symptoms in healthy male participants wearing four prototype skin patches.
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN16859029 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16859029 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | 2005-003851-10 |
| Protocol serial number | RD 209/24142 |
| Sponsor | Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) |
| Funder | Study conducted on behalf of UK Ministry of Defence |
- Submission date
- 05/09/2019
- Registration date
- 19/09/2019
- Last edited
- 08/10/2019
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Injury, Occupational Diseases, Poisoning
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Several different versions (called formulations) of a skin patch containing two medicines (physostigmine and hyoscine) have 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. In the first part of the study four groups of six participants were given one of four different formulations for 72 hours. Following review of the results of the first part of the study, one formulation was selected to be given to 12 participants for three consecutive 72 hour periods.
Who can participate?
Study participants were healthy males aged between 18 and 45 years
What does the study involve?
Each participant was allocated a specific formulation of patch for 72 hours in period 1 of the study. One of the four formulations was allocated to each participant on a random basis. In period 2 participants were randomly allocated to receive the selected patch formulation or placebo for three consecutive 72 hour periods.
Blood samples were 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) 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 symptoms that were experienced. Heart rate, blood pressure, electrical activity of the heart (ECG), tests of vison and cognitive function were also recorded at set times.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There were no direct individual benefits for the participants participating. However, the information collected from these individuals added to the scientific knowledge about the physostigmine and hyoscine patch. All medicinal products have a risk of causing 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. Overall all formulations tested were 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?
Study has been completed.
Who is funding the study?
The study was funded by UK MoD
Who is the main contact?
centralenquiries@dstl.gov.uk
Contact information
Scientific
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down
Salisbury
SP4 0JQ
United Kingdom
| Phone | 0000 |
|---|---|
| centralenquiries@dstl.gov.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single centre two-part randomised double-blind single-dose study of four patch formulations (F8, F9, F10, F11) Period 2 - A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled multiple-dose Study of a single patch formulation (F 11) |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | A Two-part Study to Investigate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Single and Multiple Applications of Four Transdermal Patch Formulations of Hyoscine and Physostigmine in Healthy Male Participants |
| Study objectives | The aim of this study was to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple applications of a four transdermal patch formulations of hyoscine and physostigmine in healthy male participants. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 12/10/2005, South East Wales Local Research Ethics Committees (Churchill House, 17 Churchill Way, Cardiff, CF10 2TW; 02920402402), ref: 04/WSE04/115 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Potential risk of poisoning by nerve agent |
| Intervention | (i) Generic drug name- physostigmine and hyoscine (transdermal patch) (ii) Dosage - In the study 4 patch formulations were tested. Period one: Method and frequency of administration- design was a randomised, double- blind, parallel, two-part study. Period one was a double-blind assessment of four formulations (F8, F9, F10, F11) of the transdermal patch, with each participant being randomised to receive a single application of one patch. Six participants were allocated to each of the four formulations. Period two: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled assessment of repeat doses of the selected patch formulation (F11) to be administered to 18 participants (12 participants received active patch formulation and six received placebo patches). Randomisation: A sequential three-digit subject (randomisation) number was assigned once eligibility for the study had been confirmed. Treatment was allocated according to the randomisation schedule produced by the CRO. |
| Intervention type | Drug |
| Phase | Phase II |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | Physostigmine and hyoscine |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Safety and tolerability of drugs tested was assessed by monitoring vital signs, ECG, near point ocular function and patch application site assessment using digital photography. In period 1 these parameters were measured at baseline and at pre-determined intervals up to 84 hours after patch application, prior to discharge on day 5 and at follow up. In period 2 they were measured at these times and also at additional time points up to follow up at Day 42 after the first patch application |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Pharmacokinetic measures: |
| Completion date | 17/01/2007 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Male |
| Target sample size at registration | 24 |
| Key inclusion criteria | At screening for period 1: 1. Ability to give written informed consent prior to study participation 2. Healthy Caucasian male participants aged between 18 and 45 years (inclusive) 3. Body Mass Index (BMI) within the range of 21 and 30 kg/m2 4. Vital signs within the following ranges: 4.1 Pulse rate 40-90 bpm 4.2 Systolic blood pressure 90-140 mmHg 4.3 Diastolic blood pressure 50-90 mmHg 5. Ability to communicate well with the Investigator and to comply with the requirements of the study. Baseline (Period 2): 1. Successful completion of Part 1. 2. Randomisation to take part in Part 2. 3. Willing and able to continue in the study. |
| Key exclusion criteria | Does not meet inclusion criteria |
| Date of first enrolment | 12/10/2005 |
| Date of final enrolment | 07/11/2005 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- Wales
Study participating centre
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 4DR
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are not expected to be made available due to confidentiality. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
08/10/2019: Internal review.
05/09/2019: Trial’s existence confirmed by MHRA
