Relationship Between Oral Semaglutide Tablet Erosion and Pharmacokinetics: A Pharmacoscintigraphic Study

Semaglutide, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) analogue, has been coformulated in a tablet with the absorption enhancer, sodium N‐(8‐[2‐hydroxybenzoyl] amino) caprylate (SNAC). We investigated tablet erosion and the pharmacokinetics of oral semaglutide administered with 2 different water volumes and evaluated the relationships between these parameters. In a randomized, single‐center (Quotient Sciences, UK), open‐label, 2‐period crossover trial, 26 healthy men received single doses of 10 mg oral semaglutide with 50 or 240 mL water while fasting. Tablet erosion and gastrointestinal transit were assessed by gamma scintigraphy. Semaglutide and SNAC plasma concentrations were measured until 24 and 6 hours, respectively, after administration. Complete tablet erosion (CTE) occurred in the stomach irrespective of water volume administered with the tablet (primary end point). Mean time to CTE was 85 versus 57 minutes with 50 versus 240 mL water (ratio 50/240 mL, 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.96‐2.37; P = .072). Area under the semaglutide concentration‐time curve from 0 to 24 hours (AUC(0‐24h,semaglutide)) and maximum semaglutide concentration (C(max,semaglutide)) were ∼70% higher with 50 versus 240 mL water (P = .056 and P = .048, respectively). Median time to maximum semaglutide concentration (t(max,semaglutide)) was 1.5 hours independent of water volume with dosing. Higher AUC(0‐24h,semaglutide) and C(max,semaglutide) and longer t(max,semaglutide) were significantly correlated with longer time to CTE and later gastric emptying of tablet and water (all P < .05). The safety profile was as expected for the GLP‐1 receptor agonist drug class. In conclusion, the oral semaglutide tablet erodes in the stomach irrespective of water volume with dosing. Slower tablet erosion in the stomach results in higher semaglutide plasma exposure.