Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between diltiazem and methylprednisolone in healthy volunteers

Abstract

Controlled-delivery diltiazem, 180 mg, significantly increased methylprednisolone AUC and half-life and reduced clearance, lending to greater systemic exposure to the steroid. However, significant differences between 50% inhibitory concentration values for methylprednisolone when given alone and for methylprednisolone in combination with diltiazem were not seen, which implies no change in cortisol or cell-trafficking sensitivity in the presence of diltiazem.