Pharmacokinetics of the Direct Factor Xa Inhibitor Edoxaban and Digoxin Administered Alone and in Combination

The oral anticoagulant edoxaban, a factor Xa inhibitor, will likely be coadministered with digoxin in some patients with atrial fibrillation. Both drugs are substrates for P–glycoprotein. The objective of this phase 1, parallel study was to assess the effects of coadministration of both drugs on their respective pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). Forty-eight subjects, ages 18 to 45 years, received either edoxaban 60 mg qd × 7 days (n = 24) or digoxin 0.25 mg bid × 2 days and qd × 5 days (n = 24) and then concomitantly for 7 days. Serial blood and urine samples were collected for digoxin and edoxaban concentrations on days 7 and 14. Serial coagulation assays were measured for edoxaban on days 7 and 14. Edoxaban PK parameters demonstrated mild increases in area under the curve (AUC) and peak concentrations of 9.5% and 15.6%, respectively, when coadministered with digoxin. While digoxin PK parameters demonstrated increased AUC and peak concentrations of 8.3% and 28%, respectively, plasma concentrations were within the established therapeutic range. Edoxaban PD were consistent with PK. Both drugs were well tolerated alone or in combination. No clinically significant changes in PK, PD, or renal elimination were observed with concomitant administration of edoxaban and digoxin.