Clofazimine pharmacokinetics in patients with TB: dosing implications

Background: Clofazimine is in widespread use as a key component of drug-resistant TB regimens, but the recommended dose is not evidence based. Pharmacokinetic data from relevant patient populations are needed to inform dose optimization.

Objectives: To determine clofazimine exposure, evaluate covariate effects on variability, and simulate exposures for different dosing strategies in South African TB patients.

Patients and methods: Clinical and pharmacokinetic data were obtained from participants with pulmonary TB enrolled in two studies with intensive and sparse sampling for up to 6 months. Plasma concentrations were measured by LC-MS/MS and interpreted with non-linear mixed-effects modelling. Body size descriptors and other potential covariates were tested on pharmacokinetic parameters. We simulated different dosing regimens to safely shorten time to average daily concentration above a putative target concentration of 0.25 mg/L.

Results: We analysed 1570 clofazimine concentrations from 139 participants; 79 (57%) had drug-resistant TB and 54 (39%) were HIV infected. Clofazimine pharmacokinetics were well characterized by a three-compartment model. Clearance was 11.5 L/h and peripheral volume 10 500 L for a typical participant. Lower plasma exposures were observed in women during the first few months of treatment, explained by higher body fat fraction. Model-based simulations estimated that a loading dose of 200 mg daily for 2 weeks would achieve average daily concentrations above a target efficacy concentration 37 days earlier in a typical TB participant.

Conclusions: Clofazimine was widely distributed with a long elimination half-life. Disposition was strongly influenced by body fat content, with potential dosing implications for women with TB.