Influence of Metoclopramide on Ticagrelor Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in Patients With Unstable Angina Pectoris on Concomitant Treatment With Morphine

The purpose of this study is to evaluate differences in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ticagrelor and its active metabolite between patients who received ticagrelor and morphine followed by metoclopramide versus patients treated with ticagrelor and morphine alone for unstable angina pectoris.

According to contemporary guidelines, ticagrelor is a recommended antiplatelet agent in acute coronary syndromes, including unstable angina pectoris. Quick platelet inhibition plays pivotal role in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes. As evidenced in the IMPRESSION study, analgesia with morphine delays platelet inhibition in patients with acute myocardial infarction. On the other hand, the results of the MOJITO study prove that administration of crushed ticagrelor tablets leads to quicker platelet blockage. Taking the above into consideration, we created a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study aiming to evaluate differences between patients who received crushed ticagrelor orally followed by either 1) a combination of intravenous morphine and metoclopramide or 2) intravenous morphine alone. The primary study outcome is time needed for ticagrelor and its active metabolite to reach their maximum plasma concentration in each study arm. Secondary outcomes include ticagrelor and AR-C124900XX maximum concentration and the area under the plasma concentration curve for both agents. Platelet reactivity will be assessed with the Multiplate Analyzer in all study participants at nine predefined time points.