Clinical pharmacology of the dual orexin receptor antagonist ACT-541468 in elderly subjects: Exploration of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and tolerability following single-dose morning and repeated-dose evening administration

The dual orexin receptor antagonist ACT-541468 showed sedative pharmacodynamic effects during initial clinical testing in adult subjects. The present study explored pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and tolerability in healthy elderly subjects.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, single-ascending dose study in 24 male/female elderly (65–80 years, 5, 15 and 25 mg in the morning, 6/2 active/placebo per group). Additionally, 10 subjects (8/2 active/placebo) received 25 mg for 7 days in the evening. Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics (saccadic peak velocity, adaptive tracking, body sway, visual analogue scales according to Bowdle and Bond and Lader, Karolinska Sleepiness Scale) and tolerability were assessed. In particular, pharmacodynamics results are to be interpreted exploratorily.

Absorption was quick with a median time to maximum concentration of ∼ 1.0 h. The mean elimination half-life was 8.5–9.8 h, the area under the curve and the maximum plasma concentration increased proportionally with dose. Following repeated evening administration of 25 mg, minimal accumulation was observed. There were no pharmacodynamic effects at 5 mg. At 15 mg, saccadic peak velocity (degree/s; SD) was reduced (69; 38), while other variables showed no effects. At 25 mg, effects on all objective pharmacodynamic parameters were observed. At 8–12 h post-dose, there were no differences to placebo and no next-day effects on pharmacodynamic variables after evening administration. Elderly subjects reported fewer adverse events compared to adults in previous studies.

ACT-541468 in elderly subjects was well tolerated and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics are compatible with a drug for the treatment of insomnia.

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02571855