Pharmacokinetics of intravenous and oral midazolam in plasma and saliva in humans: Usefulness of saliva as matrix for CYP3A phenotyping

AIMS: To compare midazolam kinetics between plasma and saliva and to find out whether saliva is suitable for CYP3A phenotyping. METHODS: This was a two way cross-over study in eight subjects treated with 2 mg midazolam IV or 7.5 mg orally under basal conditions and after CYP3A induction with rifampicin. RESULTS: Under basal conditions and IV administration, midazolam and 1′-hydroxymidazolam (plasma, saliva), 4-hydroxymidazolam and 1′-hydroxymidazolam-glucuronide (plasma) were detectable. After rifampicin, the AUC of midazolam [mean differences plasma 53.7 (95% CI 4.6, 102.9) and saliva 0.83 (95% CI 0.52, 1.14) ng ml^-1 h] and 1′-hydroxymidazolam [mean difference plasma 11.8 (95% CI 7.9, 15.7) ng ml^-1 h] had decreased significantly. There was a significant correlation between the midazolam concentrations in plasma and saliva (basal conditions: r = 0.864, P < 0.0001; after rifampicin: r = 0.842, P < 0.0001). After oral administration and basal conditions, midazolam, 1′-hydroxymidazolam and 4-hydroxymidazolam were detectable in plasma and saliva. After treatment with rifampicin, the AUC of midazolam [mean difference plasma 104.5 (95% CI 74.1, 134.9) ng ml^-1 h] and 1′- hydroxymidazolam [mean differences plasma 51.9 (95% CI 34.8, 69.1) and saliva 2.3 (95% CI 1.9, 2.7) ng ml^-1 h] had decreased significantly. The parameters separating best between basal conditions and post-rifampicin were: (1′-hydroxymidazolam + 1′-hydroxymidazolam-glucuronide)/midazolam at 20-30 min (plasma) and the AUC of midazolam (saliva) after IV, and the AUC of midazolam (plasma) and of 1′-hydroxymidazolam (plasma and saliva) after oral administration. CONCLUSIONS: Saliva appears to be a suitable matrix for non-invasive CYP3A phenotyping using midazolam as a probe drug, but sensitive analytical methods are required.