NON-COMPARTMENTAL AND POPULATION PHARMACOKINETIC ANALYSIS OF DAPSONE IN HEALTHY NIGERIANS: A PILOT STUDY.

Dapsone is employed for both non-dermatological and dermatological indications but with non-existent population pharmacokinetics (popPK) data in Nigerians. This study was therefore designed to develop a popPK model in Nigerians. Non-compartmental analysis (NCA) and nonlinear mixed effects modeling were utilized for data analysis. Eleven participants administered 50mg Dapsone tablet were included in the analysis. Derived pharmacokinetic parameters were: C max = 1.16 ± 0.32μg mL -1 , T max = 3.77 ± 2.40h, and t 1/2z = 30.23 ± 11.76h. PopPK model parameter estimates with inter-individual variability were Tlag = 0.40 h (10.0%, fixed); k a = 1.78 h -1 (75.9%); V/F = 89.25 L (21.6%); and Cl/F = 1.32 Lh -1 (27.7%). Sex was significantly associated with Cl/F, and body weight with V/F. Best popPK model was one-compartment with lag time, and first-order absorption and elimination. Sex and body weight significantly influenced the clearance and distribution volume of dapsone respectively.