Inhibition of P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux of digoxin and its metabolites by macrolide antibiotics

J Pharmacol Sci. 2010;113(4):315-24. doi: 10.1254/jphs.10109fp.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the rate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated efflux of digoxin analogues and metabolites and to assess the effects of macrolide antibiotics on this efflux. Bidirectional transport studies were conducted using our Caco-2 sub clone with high P-gp expression (CLEFF9). HPLC methods were employed to measure drug transport. All digoxin metabolites were P-gp substrates, although digoxin had the greatest efflux ratio. Erythromycin had no effect on the transport of digoxin, maintaining a basolateral to apical efflux ratio of 14.8, although it did reduce the efflux ratio of dihydrodigoxin and digoxigenin by 34% and 43%, respectively. Azithromycin also had little effect on the transport of digoxin or any of its metabolites. In contrast, clarithromycin and roxithromycin almost eliminated basolateral targeted efflux. Using paclitaxel as a known P-gp substrate, erythromycin demonstrated only partial P-gp inhibitory capacity, maintaining an efflux ratio over 100. In contrast, clarithromycin and roxithromycin were 10-fold greater P-gp inhibitors. Clarithromycin and roxithromycin are likely to exhibit drug interactions with digoxin via inhibition of efflux mechanisms. Azithromycin appears to have little influence on P-gp-mediated digoxin absorption or excretion and would be the safest macrolide to use concurrently with oral digoxin.

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / physiology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Digoxin / pharmacokinetics*
  • Humans
  • Limit of Detection
  • Macrolides / pharmacology*

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Macrolides
  • Digoxin