Abstract
Findings of a recent clinical study showed indomethacin has lower plasma levels and higher steady-state apparent clearance in pregnant subjects when compared to those in non-pregnant subjects reported in separate studies. Thus, in the current work we developed a pregnancy physiological based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) model for indomethacin to explain the differences in indomethacin pharmacokinetics between pregnancy and non-pregnancy. A whole-body PBPK model with key pregnancy-related physiological changes was developed to characterize indomethacin PK in pregnant women and compare these parameters to those in non-pregnant subjects. Data related to maternal physiological and biological changes were obtained from literature and incorporated into the structural PBPK model that describes non-pregnant PK data. Changes in indomethacin area under the curve (AUC), maximum concentration (C-max) and average steady-state concentration (C-ave) in pregnant women were predicted. Model-simulated PK profiles were in agreement with observed data. The predicted mean ratio (non-pregnant: second trimester (T-2)) of indomethacin C-ave was 1.6 compared to the observed value of 1.59. In addition, the predicted steady-state apparent clearance (CL/F-ss) ratio was almost similar to the observed value (0.46 vs. 0.42). Sensitivity analysis suggested changes in CYP2C9 activity, and to a lesser extent UGT2B7, as the primary factor contributing to differences in indomethacin disposition between pregnancy and non-pregnancy. The developed PBPK model which integrates prior physiological knowledge, in vitro and in vivo data, allowed the successful prediction of indomethacin disposition during T-2. Our PBPK/PD model suggested a higher indomethacin dosing requirement during pregnancy.