Stereoselective cardiotoxic effects of terodiline

To study the cardiovascular and electrocardiographic (ECG) effects of the R(+)- and S(-)- enantiomers of terodiline. The racemic drug was previously used to treat detrusor instability but was withdrawn after it caused serious ventricular arrhythmias associated with prolongation of the QT interval.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover study was performed that involved nine healthy volunteers who were given single oral doses of racemic terodiline hydrochloride (200 mg), R(+)-terodiline hydrochloride (100 mg), S(-)-terodiline tartrate (100 mg), or placebo. Plasma concentrations of each enantiomer and cardiovascular and ECG effects, including QT intervals and QT dispersion, were measured over 14 days after each treatment.

Both racemic and R(+)-terodiline significantly increased QT interval, corrected QT interval (QTc), and QRS duration (all p < 0.05), without affecting QT dispersion. S(-)-Terodiline tartrate (100 mg) did not affect QTc. Peak effects occurred 8 hours after dosing when increases in QTc from baseline (95% confidence intervals) were -3 (-20, 13) for placebo, 23 (8, 37) for racemic terodiline, 19 (6, 33) for R(+)-terodiline, and 0 (-10, 9) ms1/2 for S(-)-terodiline. Although differences were observed between the pharmacokinetics of the two enantiomers, these were not sufficient to account for the differences in ECG effects, and elimination half-lives were similar. Elimination of terodiline enantiomers was not significantly delayed in two genotypic poor metabolizers of debrisoquin (CYP2D6).

QT prolongation associated with racemic terodiline is caused exclusively by the R(+)-enantiomer, which therefore appears to be responsible for the ventricular arrhythmias caused by the drug.