Pharmacokinetics of ribavirin in patients with hepatitis C virus

Abstract

Aim: A population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using plasma concentration data (n = 7025) from 380 patients to examine the relationship between ribavirin dose and its pharmacokinetics. Methods: Ribavirin pharmacokinetics were described by a three-compartment model with sequential zero-order and a first-order absorption processes. Interoccasion variability and food effects were included. Results: Lean body weight (range 41-91 kg) was the only covariate with a clinically significant influence on ribavirin pharmacokinetics, affecting clearance (15.3-23.9 l h-1) and the volume of the larger peripheral compartment. Conclusion: The model provided a good description of the available data, confirmed by accurate estimates of parameter values and low residual variability (17%). © 2006 F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd.