Rerouting cardiovascular management following gastric bypass surgery: Dose optimization of carvedilol using population‐based analysis

Aims A population‐based pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling approach (PopPK) was used to investigate the impact of Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on the PK of ( R )‐ and ( S )‐carvedilol. We aimed to optimize carvedilol dosing for these patients utilizing a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) link model. Methods PopPK models were developed utilizing data from 52 subjects, including nonobese, obese, and post‐ RYGB patients who received rac ‐ carvedilol orally. Covariate analysis included anthropometric and laboratory data, history of RYGB surgery, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 in vivo activity, and relative intestinal abundance of major drug‐ metabolizing enzymes and transporters. A direct effect inhibitory E max pharmacodynamic model was linked to the PK model of ( S )‐ carvedilol to simulate the changes in exercise‐ induced heart rate. Results A 2‐compartmental model with linear elimination and parallel first‐order absorptions best described ( S )‐carvedilol PK. RYGB led to a twofold reduction in relative oral bioavailability compared to nonoperated subjects, along with delayed absorption of both enantiomers. The intestinal ABCC2 mRNA expression increases the time to reach the maximum plasma concentration. The reduced exposure (AUC) of (S)‐carvedilol post‐RYGB corresponded to a 33% decrease in the predicted area under the effect curve (AUEC) for the 24‐hour β‐blocker response. Simulation results suggested that a 50‐mg daily dose in post‐RYGB patients achieved comparable AUC and AUEC to 25‐mg dose in nonoperated subjects. Conclusion Integrated PK/PD modeling indicated that standard dosage regimens for nonoperated subjects do not provide equivalent β‐blocking activity in RYGB patients. This study highlights the importance of personalized dosing strategies to attain desired therapeutic outcomes in this patient cohort.