Effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of apixaban

Abstract This open‐label study evaluated apixaban pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety in subjects with mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment and in healthy subjects following a single 10‐mg oral dose. The primary analysis determined the relationship between apixaban AUC ∞ and 24‐hour creatinine clearance (CL cr ) as a measure of renal function. The relationships between 24‐hour CL cr and iohexol clearance, estimated CL cr (Cockcroft‐Gault equation), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (modification of diet in renal disease [MDRD] equation) were also assessed. Secondary objectives included assessment of safety and tolerability as well as international normalized ratio (INR) and anti–factor Xa activity as pharmacodynamic endpoints. The regression analysis showed that decreasing renal function resulted in modestly increased apixaban exposure (AUC ∞ increased by 44% in severe impairment with a 24‐hour CL cr of 15 mL/min, compared with subjects with normal renal function), but it did not affect C max or the direct relationship between apixaban plasma concentration and anti–factor Xa activity or INR. The assessment of renal function measured by iohexol clearance, Cockcroft‐Gault, and MDRD was consistent with that determined by 24‐hour CL cr . Apixaban was well tolerated in this study. These results suggest that dose adjustment of apixaban is not required on the basis of renal function alone.