COLORADO STATE CLINICAL TRIAL: LIVER DISEASE AND MIRTAZAPINE

Limited Sampling Strategy for Determining Mirtazapine Pharmacokinetics in Cats with Liver Disease

​Who qualifies:

We currently need assistance enrolling cats with liver disease. Patients must have confirmed diagnosis of liver disease in order to be eligible to participate in this study. This includes cats that have been diagnosed with liver disease based on elevation of serum liver enzymes (specifically ALT greater than 200 IU/L or elevated total bilirubin levels) and for whom hyperthyroidism has been ruled out. Ideal patients are cholangiohepatitis, hepatic lipidosis and lymphoma cats that you would be considering giving the drug to anyway. Presence of CKD is an exclusion criteria.

Please contact us to confirm if your patient qualifies. The study involves giving a single oral dose of mirtazapine and then obtaining a blood sample at 1 hr., 4 hr.​ and if possible in hospitalized patients, 24 hours.

What is the purpose of the study?

The purpose of this study is to use a limited sampling strategy to determine if metabolism of mirtazapine is altered in cats suffering from liver disease. Mirtazapine is commonly used as an effective appetite stimulant and anti-nausea medication. The drug has become a mainstay of supportive care for cats with chronic and terminal diseases, including liver disease. In humans liver disease results in 30% decrease in clearance of the drug. However, the effect of liver disease on the metabolism of the drug in cats is unknown.

Is there any benefit to joining this study?

​Participants will receive an exam and lab work for free.

To enroll:Contact Dr. Rikki Fitzpatrick or Dr. Jessica Quimby.

Shared from http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/veterinarians/clinical-trials/Pages/default.aspx