Mechanisms of Pharmacokinetic Enhancement Between Ritonavir and Saquinavir; Micro/Small Dosing Tests Using Midazolam (CYP3A4), Fexofenadine (p‐Glycoprotein), and Pravastatin (OATP1B1) as Probe Drugs

We investigated the mechanisms of ritonavir‐mediated enhancement effect on the pharmacokinetics of saquinavir using in vivo probes for CYP3A4 (midazolam), p‐glycoprotein (fexofenadine), and OATP1B1 (pravastatin) following oral micro/small dosing. A cocktail of the drugs (2 mg of saquinavir, 100 µg of each probe) was administered to eight healthy volunteers (phase 1), and then coadministered with 20 mg (phase 2) and 100 mg (phase 3) of ritonavir....