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
EudraCT/CTIS number 2005-003851-10
Secondary identifying numbers RD 209/24142
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
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

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

Dr Medical Advisor
Scientific

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down
Salisbury
SP4 0JQ
United Kingdom

Phone 0000
Email centralenquiries@dstl.gov.uk

Study information

Study designSingle 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)
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet No participant information sheet available
Scientific titleA 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 objectivesThe 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) studiedPotential 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 typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhasePhase II
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Physostigmine and hyoscine
Primary outcome measureSafety 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
Secondary outcome measures1. Pharmacokinetic measures:
Plasma concentration of physostigmine and hyoscine tested at following intervals. Period 1: pre-dose and at intervals up to 96 hrs after the patch application. Period 2: pre-dose and at intervals up to 240 hours after application of the first patch. (test method for PK measures was liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method).
2. Pharmacodynamic measures:
Blood measurement of red cell acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity tested at the following intervals. Period 1: pre-dose and at intervals up to 96 hrs after the patch application. Period 2: pre-dose and at intervals up to 240 hours after application of the first patch. (test method for PK measures was validated spectrophotometric method).
Overall study start date06/09/2005
Completion date17/01/2007

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexMale
Target number of participantsPeriod 1 - 24 healthy male participants
Key inclusion criteriaAt 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 criteriaDoes not meet inclusion criteria
Date of first enrolment12/10/2005
Date of final enrolment07/11/2005

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • United Kingdom
  • Wales

Study participating centre

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

Sponsor information

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)
Government

Porton Down
Salisbury
SP4 0JQ
United Kingdom

Phone 0000
Email centralenquiries@dstl.gov.uk
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04jswqb94

Funders

Funder type

Government

Study conducted on behalf of UK Ministry of Defence

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date09/09/2020
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot expected to be made available
Publication and dissemination planOur intention is to submit the results of this study for publication in an academic journal 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 confidentiality.

Editorial Notes

08/10/2019: Internal review.
05/09/2019: Trial’s existence confirmed by MHRA