Target-controlled Infusion of Remimazolam in Healthy Volunteers Shows Some Acute Tolerance

Abstract

Background Remimazolam exhibits sedative properties by binding to γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors. Remimazolam is administered as a bolus dose or continuous infusion, but has not been studied using target-controlled infusion (TCI). The study quantified the relationship between the remimazolam concentration, Modified Observer’s Assessment of Alertness and Sedation (MOAAS) score, and bispectral index (BIS) using TCI. Methods The authors performed a three-period, crossover, dose-ranging clinical trial in 24 healthy volunteers using age and sex stratification. Data collected in the first period, where remimazolam was administered alone using a step-up and step-down TCI protocol, were used for this analysis. Remimazolam concentrations, MOAAS scores, and BIS values were collected at each step at steady state. Data were analyzed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling methodology. Results The relationship between remimazolam, BIS, and MOAAS differed between step-up and step-down infusions at similar remimazolam target concentrations. Tolerance, driven by remimazolam or CNS7054, significantly improved overall model fit (P < 0.01) for both BIS and MOAAS models. After 30 min of repeated bolus dosing, mimicking the regimen in the label for procedural sedation, the BIS and probability of MOAAS 2/3 were predicted to be 54 (95% prediction interval, 44 to 67) and 2% (95% prediction interval, 0 to 32%) versus 58 (95% prediction interval, 48 to 70) and 8% (95% prediction interval, 0 to 36%) in a model without and with tolerance, respectively. After 60 min of continuous infusion, mimicking the regimen in the label for general anesthesia, the BIS and probability of MOAAS 0 were predicted to be 40 (95% prediction interval, 33 to 50) and 87% (95% prediction interval, 18 to 100%) versus 50 (95% prediction interval, 41 to 60) and 59% (95% prediction interval, 6 to 99%) in a model without and with tolerance, respectively. Conclusions In this study, it was shown that remimazolam-induced sedation is prone to tolerance development, which is potentially mediated by the CNS7054 concentration. The clinical consequences are, however, limited in situations where remimazolam is titrated to effect. Editor’s Perspective What We Already Know about This Topic What This Article Tells Us That Is New