High Quality CP Standard Pidotimod CAS 121808-62-6

Pidotimod More Info

Pidotimod is a synthetic dipeptide with immunomodulatory properties, primarily used to enhance the immune response in individuals with recurrent infections, particularly in the respiratory and urinary tracts.

Mechanism of Action

Pidotimod functions as an immunostimulant by modulating both innate and adaptive immune responses. Its mechanisms include:
Induction of Dendritic Cell Maturation: Pidotimod promotes the maturation of dendritic cells, which are crucial for antigen presentation.
Upregulation of Co-stimulatory Molecules: It increases the expression of HLA-DR and co-stimulatory molecules like CD83 and CD86 on dendritic cells.
T-cell Differentiation: Pidotimod encourages T-cell differentiation towards a Th1 phenotype by stimulating dendritic cells to release pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Enhancement of Natural Killer (NK) Cell Activity: It boosts the activity of NK cells, which play a vital role in the innate immune response.
Promotion of Phagocytosis: Pidotimod enhances the phagocytic activity of immune cells.
Inhibition of Thymocyte Apoptosis: This action helps in maintaining T-cell populations during immune responses.
Increased Salivary Immunoglobulin A (IgA): It elevates IgA levels, which are important for mucosal immunity.
These actions collectively contribute to a more robust immune response against pathogens, making pidotimod effective in preventing infections and reducing their severity.

Applications

Recurrent Respiratory Infections: Particularly useful in children and adults with frequent upper respiratory tract infections.
Chronic Bronchitis and COPD: It has shown efficacy in managing chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Urinary Tract Infections: Used for patients experiencing recurrent urinary tract infections.
Immunocompromised Patients: Beneficial in individuals with immune deficiencies or conditions such as Down syndrome, where immune responses are compromised.
Clinical studies have demonstrated that pidotimod can reduce the frequency and severity of infections, leading to decreased antibiotic use and improved quality of life.

Routes of Administration

Pidotimod is primarily administered orally:
Oral Tablets: The most common form for both children (aged 3 years and older) and adults. It is recommended to take pidotimod on an empty stomach or at least 2 hours after meals to optimize absorption.

Safety and Side Effects

Pidotimod is generally well-tolerated with a favorable safety profile. Common side effects include:
Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite.
Skin Reactions: Skin rash may occur but is typically mild.
Fatigue or Dizziness: Some patients report feeling fatigued or dizzy.
Serious adverse events are rare, although there have been isolated reports of conditions like Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Overall, pidotimod does not exhibit significant mutagenic potential or severe allergic reactions.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption
Pidotimod is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, with an oral bioavailability ranging from 43% to 45%. Food intake can significantly decrease its absorption by up to 50%, so it is best taken on an empty stomach.
Distribution
Once absorbed, pidotimod distributes throughout the body but has limited data on its volume of distribution. It does not significantly bind to plasma proteins.
Metabolism
Hepatic metabolism of pidotimod is minimal; it remains largely unchanged in the body.
Elimination
The elimination half-life of pidotimod is approximately 4 hours. The drug is primarily excreted unchanged through renal pathways. This pharmacokinetic profile indicates that pidotimod can be effectively dosed without significant accumulation in patients with normal renal function.