Pharmacokinetics of tolfenamic acid: Disposition in bile,blood and urine after intravenous administration to man

Summary To study its pharmacokinetics and especially its biliary excretion, ¹⁴C-tolfenamic acid 9.84 µCi/100 mg was infused i.v. in 8 patients with a T-tube inserted in the common bile duct at choledocholithotomy 7–10 days prior to the study. Bile was collected in fractions by continuous suction over a 24 h period. Blood samples were taken and urine collected up to 48 h after the dose. Tolfenamic acid and its metabolites were separated by TLC and were quantitated by liquid scintillation counting. The pharmacokinetics of tolfenamic acid could be described by a two compartment open model with V₁ of 3.67±0.68 l and V_ss of 8.0±1.0 l. The total plasma clearance of tolfenamic acid averaged 106±8 ml/min and t_1/2 was 1.38±0.32 h. A three compartment open model was required to describe the kinetics of total ¹⁴C. The plasma clearance of total ¹⁴C was 15.4±3.9 ml/min and its terminal half life averaged 19.0±4.1 h. The long half-life was caused by the slow elimination of tolfenamic acid metabolites. Four metabolites were measured in plasma and bile. The principal metabolites in bile were glucuronide/sulphate conjugates of hydroxylated derivatives of tolfenamic acid. The recovery of tolfenamic acid in bile was 1.1±0.3% of the dose, whereas the recovery of total ¹⁴C was 18.6±4.9%. The biliary clearances of tolfenamic acid and total ¹⁴C were 1.2±0.3 and 5.0±2.1 ml/min, respectively. Thus, biliary excretion plays a considerable part in the pharmacokinetics of tolfenamic acid.     

Pharmacokinetics of tolfenamic acid in patients with cirrhosis of the liver

Summary Six patients with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver received 100 mg tolfenamic acid p.o. and i.v. The disposition of tolfenamic acid could be described by a two-compartment open body model, with a mean central compartment volume of 8.71, and a -phase volume of 251. The elimination rate constant k_e averaged 1.13 h^–1 and the half-life of the -phase was 1.73 h; the mean total plasma clearance was 159 ml/min. These pharmacokinetic parameters differed only slightly from those in two groups of healthy volunteers studied previously; k_e was significantly reduced by about 30% in the patients but none of the other parameters differed significantly. There was good correlation between individual elimination rate constants or plasma clearances with the liver function tests, serum albumin and P-coagulation factors. Oral absorption was good and bioavailability of about 100% was shown by comparison of the areas under the plasma concentration — time curves after i.v. and p.o. administration. Metabolism was qualitatively and quantitatively very similar to previous observations in healthy volunteers. There seems no reason to reduce the dose of tolfenamic acid in patients with compensated alcoholic cirrhosis.     

Dose-dependent pharmacokinetics of aprindine in healthy volunteers

Summary The disposition of aprindine following a single oral dose can best be described by a two-compartment open model. The mean plasma half-life (t_1/2) increased from 8.0±2.1 h (SD) after a 25 mg dose to 9.4±2.9 h after 50 mg and to 15.8±2.6 h after 100 mg, with a decrease in total plasma clearance (Cl/F) and volume of distribution at steady state (V_dss/F) and during -phase (V_d/F). The area under plasma concentration-time curve (AUC), maximum plasma concentration (C_max) and the amount of unchanged aprindine excreted in the urine increased in a non-linear fashion with the increase in dose. The t_1/2 after multiple oral doses showed a 3-fold increase over the single dose value. These results indicate that aprindine shows dose-dependent non-linear kinetics.     

Pharmacokinetics of metformin after intravenous and oral administration to man

Summary The kinetics of¹⁴C-metformin have been studied in five healthy subjects after oral and intravenous administration. The intravenous dose was distributed to a small central compartment of 9.9±1.61 ( ±SE), from which its elimination could be described using three-compartment open model. The elimination half-life from plasma was 1.7±0.1 h. Urinary excretion data revealed a quantitatively minor terminal elimination phase with a half-life of 8.9±0.7 h. After the intravenous dose, metformin was completely excreted unchanged in urine with a renal clearance of 454±47 ml/min. Metformin was not bound to plasma proteins. The concentration of metformin in saliva was considerably lower than in plasma and declined more slowly. The bioavailability of metformin tablets averaged 50–60%. The rate of absorption was slower than that of elimination, which resulted in a plasma concentration profile of flip-flop type for oral metformin.     

Pharmacokinetics of N-desmethyldiazepam in healthy volunteers after single daily doses of dipotassium chlorazepate

Dipotassium chlorazepate was administered to 12 healthy volunteers (8 males and 4 females), aged 22–38 years, as a single daily dose of 20 mg for 14 days. Plasma concentrations of N-desmethyldiazepam were monitored with a gas-chromatographic method during the medication period and for 5 days after withdrawal of the drug. The plasma half-life (t _1/2), the elimination coefficient (K ), the concentration ( ), and the apparent volume of distribution (V ) were calculated at steady state, and the mean values±SEM were 53±6 h, 0.0147±0.0013 h^-1, 884±73 ng/ml, and 1.13±0.08 l/kg, respectively. A moderate interindividual variability was observed regarding these parametes. There was no tendency toward a biexponential elimination. A significant difference in the apparent volume of distribution was found when males and females were compared.     

Pharmacokinetics of cimetidine and its sulphoxide metabolite during haemodialysis

Summary A single intravenous dose of cimetidine 200mg was administered to 6 patients with severe chronic renal failure one hour prior to haemodialysis. The plasma concentrations of cimetidine and its sulphoxide metabolite at the start of haemodialysis were 2.74±0.12 and 0.76±0.08 µg/ml, and after dialysis for 4h 1.08±0.10 and 0.51±0.08 µg/ml, respectively (mean ± SE). The average haemodialysis clearance (Cl_HDa) of cimetidine during dialysis was 46–92ml/min at a dialysate flow rate of 320ml/min and blood flow rates in the 6 patients between 160–240ml/min. The mean Cl_HDa of the sulphoxide metabolite was 44% higher than that of cimetidine, and ranged between 49–148ml/min. During haemodialysis the mean plasma elimination half-life (t_1/2) of cimetidine was 3.24h (range 2.08–5.08) and of the sulphoxide metabolite 9.49h (range 4.70–14.39). There was a significant relationship between the elimination rate constant () and Cl_HDa of the sulphoxide metabolite (p<0.01), but no such relationship was found between and Cl_HDa of cimetidine. However, there was a tendency to a relationship between of cimetidine and the capacity to metabolise the drug, expressed as the ratio between the plasma concentrations of the sulphoxide metabolite and cimetidine after dialysis for 4h. These ratios ranged between 0.23–0.76, and the lowest ratio was seen in the patient with the lowest value of cimetidine. Thus, the large variations in the plained by differences in their capacity to metabolise the drug. The mean total amount of cimetidine eliminated during dialysis was 27.3mg (range 17.9–31.8), which was 9.0–15.9% of the given dose. Between 12.2–21.2mg (mean 15.3) of the sulphoxide metabolite was eliminated in the dialysate. Major adjustment of the dose of cimetidine on days of dialysis is not necessary.     

Effect of renal insufficiency on the pharmacokinetics of cyclophosphamide and some of its metabolites

Summary Cyclophosphamide pharmacokinetics were studied in seven patients with moderate to severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearances 0–51 ml · min^–1), and compared with a matched control group of patients with normal renal function. The mean half-life of cyclophosphamide following intravenous administration in the normal group was 8.21±2.33 (SD) h whilst that in renal failure was 10.15±1.80 h: these were significantly different. The total body clearance in the normal control group was 58.6±10.9 ml·kg^–1h^–1 which was significantly larger than in renal failure where it was 48.8±10.9 ml·kg^–1h^–1. V_d , V_{d ss} and V_c were not significantly different between the two groups. A linear relationship exists between , the first order disposition rate constant and endogenous creatinine clearance since this drug shows a relatively small degree of compartmentalisation. The plasma half-life of phosphoramide mustard, a cytotoxic metabolite of cyclophosphamide, shows a parallel and significant increase in renal failure with the parent compound. The t_1/2 in normal patients was 8.33±2.0 h, whilst in the renal failure group it was 13.37±4.23 h. Total alkylating activity as measured by the nitrobenzylpyridine reaction showed a significant increase in renal failure. This data suggests that in pharmacokinetic terms it may not be necessary to alter the dose of cyclophosphamide until there is severe renal impairment. Further studies correlating the efficacy and toxicity of the drug with its pharmacokinetics in renal failure are necessary.     

Comparison of the pharmacokinetics of diazepam after single and subchronic doses

Summary In seven healthy male volunteers the effects of the pattern of dosing on the pharmacokinetics of diazepam have been studied. A cross-over design was employed that consisted of three parts: a single intravenous dose (0.1 mg/kg), and oral dosing (10 mg/day) for six days followed by an intravenous bolus (0.1 mg/kg) on the seventh day, followed by re-examination of a single intravenous dose after diazepam (D) and its major metabolite desmethyldiazepam (DD) had been completely eliminated. Plasma levels of D and DD were monitored by a specific, sensitive GLC-method. In younger patients (n=5, age 29 – 35 years) the elimination half-life, T_{1/2 ()}, of D was 33.9±10.6 h (mean±S.D.) after the single dose. The control study gave an almost identical result (35.7±12.1). After subchronic dosage in all patients T_{1/2 ()} showed a modest but significant prolongation (paired t-test p<0.01) to 52.9±17.4 h. It was caused by a significant decrease (p=0.016) in total plasma clearance ( ), from 26.0±10.8 ml/min to 18.2±7.0 ml/min. Older patients (age 43–60 years) showed the same phenomenon. Blood/plasma ratios remained constant indicating no change in protein binding. Biliary excretion of D was measured in five patients with a T-tube. Only negligible amounts (0.3–0.4%) of administered D were excreted within 3 days after subchronic dosage, which demonstrates a lack of enterohepatic cycling of D. After multiple administration of D, there was accumulation of DD to levels approximately five times higher than after a single dose. The possibility that the slower elimination of D after subchronic treatment might be caused by DD was also supported by experiments in dogs and rabbits. After pretreating rabbits with DD and maintaining a high DD plasma level, there was prolongation of T_{1/2 ()} from 2.7 h to 5.2 h, with a corresponding decrease of from 101.6 ml/min to 23.4 ml/min. Similar results were obtained in dogs. It is concluded that the disposition of D is altered by subchronic use and may be regulated by the plasma DD concentration.The results were presented in part at the 6th International Congress of Pharmacology, Helsinki, 1975     

Boric acid single dose pharmacokinetics after intravenous administration to man

Eighth young adult male volunteers with a basic (alimentary) plasma boric acid concentration of <0.10–0.46 mg/l were given a single dose of boric acid (562–611 mg) by 20 min IV infusion. The plasma concentration curves, followed for 3 days, best fitted a three-compartment open model, although two subjects had to be left out due to inconstant basal plasma concentration values or failure to fit to the three-compartment model. The 120 h urinary excretion was 98.7±9.1% of dose, Cl_tot 54.6±8.0 ml/min/1.73 m², t_1/2 21.0±4.9 h and distribution volumes V₁, V₂, and V₃: 0.251±0.099, 0.456±0.067 and 0.340±0.128 l/kg.     

Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of oxazepam

Summary Six healthy volunteers received oxazepam 15 mg i.v. and orally at an interval of at least one week. The kinetic variables of i.v. oxazepam were: elimination half-life (t_1/2) 6.7 h, total clearance (CL) 1.07 ml·min^–1·kg^–1, volume of distribution (V_c) 0.27 l·kg^–1 (0.21–0.49) and volume of distribution at steady-state (V_ss) 0.59 l·kg^–1. The intravenous disposition of unbound oxazepam was characterized by a clearance of 22.5ml·min^–1·kg^–1 and a distribution volume of 12.3 l·kg^–1. After oral oxazepam the peak plasma level was reached in 1.7 to 2.8 h. The plasma t_1/2 at 5.8 h was not significantly different from the i.v. value. Absorption was almost complete, with a bioavailability of 92.8%. Urinary recovery was 80.0 and 71.4% of the dose after intravenous and oral administration, respectively. Renal clearance (CL_R) of the glucuronide metabolite was 1.10 ml·min^–1·kg^–1 (0.98–1.52). Oxazepam was extensively bound to plasma protein with a free fraction of 4.5%.     

Analysis of the pharmacokinetics of lithium in man

Summary An analysis of the single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics of lithium in 7 healthy volunteers is presented. A solution of lithium chloride was administered in single dose experiments and the same solution and a sustained release preparation were employed in multiple dose experiments, which were carried out at steady state. A fixed dose of 24 mmol was used in the single dose experiments and in the subsequent multiple dose experiments in the same subjects the same dose was administered once daily for a week. Distinct two-compartment characteristics were found, with a mean disposition rate constant () of 0.035 h^–1±0.010 SD, corresponding to a mean biological half-life of about 19.8 h. The mean half-time of the distributory -phase was about 1.15 h. The absorption of lithium from an orally administered solution took place with a half-time of about 0.15 h in the single dose experiments. The apparent volume of distribution of the central compartment (V_c) was 0.307 1 kg^–1±0.046 SD, less than half that of V_de at equilibrium. V_d (V_darea) was 0.8291 kg^–1±0.184 SD and mean total body clearance was 27.6 ml kg^–1 h^–1±4.7 SD.     

Pharmacokinetics of xamoterol after intravenous and oral administration to patients with chronic heart failure

Summary The pharmacokinetics of xamoterol, a -adrenergic partial agonist under clinical evaluation for the treatment of mild to moderate heart failure, have been studied in 8 cardiac failure patients (NYHA Class II) of mean age 62 years.After i.v. dosing, the elimination half-life was 7.4±0.4 h, the total body clearance was 228±30 ml·min^–1 and the volume of distribution at steady-state was 56±91. 72.5±4.3% of the dose was recovered unchanged in urine. After the oral dose, the absolute bioavailability of xamoterol was shown to be 5.9%. Peak plasma concentrations occurred 1 to 2.5 h after the oral dose. The apparent elimination half-life was significantly longer after oral doses (16±2 h) compared to that observed after an intravenous dose. Renal clearance of xamoterol exceeded glomerular filtration rate as measured by creatinine clearance.The pharmacokinetics of xamoterol in cardiac failure patients with good renal function (creatinine clearance >90 ml·min^–1) were similar to published data in young healthy male volunteers.     

Kinetics of ergotamine after intravenous and intramuscular administration to migraine sufferers

Summary The kinetics of ergotamine has been investigated in migrainous patients using a new, specific, sensitive HPLC assay (detection limit 100 pg/ml plasma). 10 patients were given ergotamine tartrate 0.5 mg i.v. and 5 of them received the same dose i.m. 2–3 weeks later. Blood samples were collected for up to 54 h following administration and the plasma concentration were analysed. After intravenous administration the plasma ergotamine declined rapidly, with an initial distribution half-life of 3 min followed by a mean terminal half-life of 1.86 h (range 90–155 min). The mean total plasma clearance was 11.0 ml kg^–1 min^–1, and the volume of distribution (V_d ) was 1847.6 ml kg^–1. Individual t_1/2 showed a positive linear correlation with the individual V_d . The intramuscular absorption of ergotamine was rapid and maximum plasma levels were usually obtained 10 min following administration. The biological availability was incomplete and variable at 46.6% (range 28.3–60.8%).     

Pharmacokinetics and absolute bioavailability of carteolol,a new β-adrenergic receptor blocking agent

Summary The pharmacokinetics and absolute bioavailability of a new nonselective -adrenoreceptor blocking agent, carteolol, were investigated after administration of single intravenous and oral doses to eight normal volunteers. Plasma and urine drug concentrations were measured by an HPLC method. The pharmacokinetic parameters after intravenous dosing were obtained by a two-compartment analysis: elimination or -phase t_1/2 4.7±0.3 h; Vc, 0.74±0.101/kg; Vd, 4.05±0.48 l/kg; Cl, 10.13±0.94 ml/min/kg; Cl_R, 6.56±0.58 ml/min/kg; and Cl_NR, 3.57±0.40 ml/min/kg. The absolute bioavailability obtained from plasma data was 83.7±8.0%, which was consistent with that derived from analysis of urine of 82.7±4.2%. The amounts excreted unchanged in urine up to 48 h after the intravenous and oral doses were 65.0±1.5% and 53.8±3.2% of the administered doses, respectively. The t_1/2 for removal of the drug derived from plasma and urine findings after intravenous and oral dosing were similar, which indicates that the main route of elimination of carteolol is via the kidneys. As the Cl_R of carteolol exceeded the Cl of creatinine there may be renal tubular secretion of the drug.     

Disposition of valproic acid in patients with liver disease

Summary The disposition of valproic acid (di-n-propylacetate; VA) has been studied after a single oral dose of a solution of 450 mg in 7 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and in 4 patients recovering from acute hepatitis. The diagnosis was based on biochemical function tests and histological findings. The pharmacokinetic parameters were compared with those reported for healthy volunteers. VA in therapeutic concentration (80 µg/ml) in plasma was less bound to plasma proteins in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (70.7±11.3%) and in patients recovering from acute hepatitis (78.1±14.1%) than in controls (88.7±5.2%). The reduced binding affected the blood/plasma concentration ratio and the apparent distribution volume Vd₍₎; the latter was increased from the normal value of 0.14±0.05 l/kg to 0.22±0.09 (p<0.05) in alcoholic cirrhotics, and to 0.20±0.07 (p=0.056) in patients recovering from acute hepatitis. The half-life of elimination T_{1/2 ()} (controls=12.2±3.7 h) was significantly (p<0.05) prolonged in cirrhotics (18.9±5.1 h) and in patients recovering from acute hepatitis (17.0±3.7 h). The plasma of total drug was not impaired, which can best be explained by the lower plasma protein binding, which might have increased the of this drug which shows restricted clearance. In addition, the plasma of free drug was significantly (p<0.02) reduced in alcoholic cirrhotics. During a two day urine collection no measurable amount of unchanged VA was recovered. There was considerable excretion of VA-conjugates, which could be hydrolyzed either by HCl or by -glucuronidase/arylsulphatase (4–23% of the dose). These percentages were in the same range as in normals (26.7±16.1%). The study indicates that elimination of VA is slightly impaired in patients with dysfunction of the liver.Supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation, Stuttgart, Federal Republic of Germany     

Disposition kinetics of ethambutol in man

Six normal adult volunteers were administered 15 mg/kg of ethambutol (EMB) by a constant-rate 1-hr infusion. Plasma and urine samples were collected up to 24 and 72 hr, respectively. Peak plasma levels following the 1-hr infusion ranged from 11.6 to 15.4 g/ml. Subsequent postinfusion EMB levels exhibited multiphasic decay. In the 12-hr period following infusion, EMB levels showed biexponential decay. However, 24-hr plasma levels in all subjects were observed to be higher than those predicted using a two-compartment body model. The phase in these subjects had a mean half-life of 8.6 min while the half-life of the phase ranged from 2.5 to 3.6 hr (mean 3.1). The half-life of the phase estimated from plasma data points between 12 and 24 hr averaged 11.2±3.6 hr. A terminal t_1/2 of 15.4±1.7 hr was calculated from 12–72 hr urine data. The mean value for the steady-state volume of distribution using a noncompartmental method was 3.89 liters/kg. Plasma EMB clearance ranged from 7.47 to 9.87 ml/min/kg (mean 8.57). The fraction of the dose eliminated unchanged varied from 0.75 to 0.84 (mean 0.79). Renal clearance ranged from 5.93 to 8.45 ml/min/kg (mean 6.81), indicating active tubular secretion.This work was supported in part by NIH Grant GM 26551.     

Pharmacokinetics of dipotassium chlorazepate in patients after repeated 50 mg oral doses

Dipotassium chlorazepate (DPC) was administered to ten patients (five males and five females), aged 18–37 years (mean 27.4), as a once daily dose of 50 mg until a steady state was reached. Plasma concentrations of the main metabolite N-desmethyldiazepam (DMD) were monitored by a high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method during the medication period and for 5 days after withdrawal of the drug. The plasma half life (t _1/2), the elimination coefficient (K), the steady state concentration , and the apparent volume of distribution (V), were calculated at steady state and the mean values ±SEM were 44±5 h, 0.0184±0.0026 h^-1, 1590±163 ng/ml and 1.41 ±0.17 l/kg, respectively. A moderate inter-individual variability was observed. There was no tendency towards dose dependent elimination.     

Clinical pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of ketobemidone

Summary The basic pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of ketobemidone have been studied in 6 patients after surgery. Plasma concentrations were first determined following intravenous administration of Ketogin^® 2 ml, containing ketobemidone chloride 10 mg and the spasmolytic N,N-dimethyl-3,3-diphenyl-1-methylallylamine chloride 50 mg, and then, on the second postoperative day, following oral administration of 2 tablets of Ketogin^®, each containing ketobemidone chloride 5 mg and the spasmolytic agent 25 mg. The average oral bioavailability of ketobemidone was 34%±16% (SD, n=6). The mean plasma half-life of elimination (t_1/2) was about the same following oral (2.45±0.73 h; SD, n=5) as after intravenous administration (2.25±0.35 h; SD, n=6). The low oral bioavailability and rapid elimination of ketobemidone demonstrated in this study suggest that the usual dosage recommendation for oral Ketogin^® (ketobemidone 5–10 mg every 6–7 h) in patients with severe pain is too low.     

Clinical pharmacokinetics of sisomicin: Two-compartment model analysis of serum data after I.V. and I.M. administration

Summary The pharmacokinetics of sisomicin, a new single component aminoglycoside antibiotic related to gentamicin c_1a, were determined in four healthy volunteers after intravenous and intramuscular administration of a 1 mg/kg dose. The elimination profile of this antibiotic follows two-compartment model kinetics after I.V. administration. The fast () and slow () disposition rate constants averaged 0.072 and 0.004 min^–1, respectively. The volume of distribution at the steady-state averaged 0.185 liters/kg which approximately corresponds to the volume of extracellular space. The physiological availability of an intramuscular dose appeared to be complete. A method of administration adapted to the kinetic properties of the drug is proposed.     

Pharmacokinetics of cimetidine in advanced cirrhosis

Summary The effect of impaired liver function on the pharmacokinetics of cimetidine was studied in 8 patients with advanced cirrhosis given single doses of 100 mg i.v. and 400 mg p.o. on separate days. Compared to a control group of 10 healthy volunteers, the total renal and nonrenal clearance was significantly reduced in the cirrhotic patients; (total plasma clearance mean ± SD) 356±181 vs 789±262 ml/min (p<0.01); renal clearance (Cl_r) 296±100 vs 588±181 ml/min (p<0.01) and nonrenal clearance (Cl_nr) 97±111 vs 205±89 ml/min (p<0.05). Compared to published results for age-matched ulcer patients, both total and nonrenal clearance were lower whereas renal clearance was within the reported normal range. A significant reduction in volume of distribution (V_d) was found, from 2.1±0.1 l/kg in controls to 1.0±0.4l/kg, and in the patient group there was a significant correlation between V_d and total plasma clearance (r=0.72, p<0.05). Volume of distribution in steady state (V_dss) did not differ from published results in age-matched controls. No significant change in half-life was found. Bioavailability, estimated by AUC-measurement, showed considerable patient variability (21–143%), with a mean of 70±39%. This was lower than in the controls. In contrast, measurement of urinary excretion showed higher bioavailability in the patients (66±23 vs 51±8%). No correlation was found between any of the kinetic parameters and the clinical and laboratory data. It is suggested that patients with advanced cirrhosis should be closely observed when given cimetidine, and a reduction in dose should be concidered if side effects are to be avoided.Part of this study has been reported as a Letter to the Editor, N Engl J Med (1982): 307, 187