Effects of aspirin and ibuprofen on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of glyburide in healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of aspirin and ibuprofen on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of glyburide in healthy volunteers.

DESIGN

Single-center, randomized, two-way, crossover design following an initial baseline evaluation phase.

SETTING

Outpatient, university-based ambulatory care facility.

PATIENTS: Sixteen healthy nonsmoking men aged 20-34 years.

INTERVENTION: Three phases consisting of six treatments. Phase 1 began with treatment A, a baseline oral glucose tolerance test (GTT), followed by treatment B, glyburide 5 mg plus a GTT. The other two phases were administered in a crossover design. Phase 2 consisted of the administration of aspirin 975 mg qid for 4 days. On day 3 a GTT was administered (treatment C) and on day 4 glyburide 5 mg plus a GTT was administered (treatment E). Phase 3 consisted of the administration of ibuprofen 600 mg qid for 4 days with a GTT on day 3 (treatment D) and glyburide 5 mg plus a GTT on day 4 (treatment F).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum glyburide concentrations after each treatment, as well as glucose and insulin, ibuprofen, and salicylate serum concentrations and glyburide free fractions.

RESULTS

Aspirin administration resulted in an 85% increase in mean total glyburide oral clearance and a 29% increase in glyburide free fraction. Ibuprofen administration resulted in a slight increase in mean glyburide free fraction, but no significant changes in glyburide pharmacokinetic parameters were observed. Insulin concentrations were increased during the glyburide plus aspirin treatment. Conflicting results were observed in the glucose parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

The potential for this glyburide-aspirin interaction resulting in a transient hypoglycemia should be considered in diabetic patients receiving glyburide therapy.