Pharmacokinetics of ribostamycin in paediatric patients.

In the present study, ribostamycin concentrations in serum were measured by microbiological assay in 20 paediatric patients aged 3 months to 11 years after intramuscular ribostamycin 10, 15 and 20 mg/kg. All pharmacokinetic parameters and statistical analyses were calculated by computer. These results showed that the absorption rate constant (ka), elimination rate constant (ke), time to peak serum concentration (tmax), elimination half-life (t1/2), apparent volume of distribution (Vd/F), total body clearance (CL) and area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC) were significantly different in infants under 6 months from those in children over 3 years (p less than 0.05), except for the peak serum concentration (Cmax) and lag time from administration to the first appearance of drug in the serum (tlag) [p greater than 0.05]. The absorption of ribostamycin in infants was more rapid than that in children, but elimination was slower (p less than 0.05). The Vd/F and CL in infants were also larger than in children (p less than 0.01). There were significant positive correlations between Cmax, AUC and ribostamycin dosage (p less than 0.01). Pharmacokinetic parameters for infants and children were compared with those observed in adults, and it was found that ribostamycin absorption and elimination were more rapid in the paediatric patients. The Cmax in children and infants after intramuscular ribostamycin 10 mg/kg approached that in adults after an intramuscular dose of ribostamycin 500mg. Using a 1-compartment open pharmacokinetic model, the optimum intramuscular ribostamycin administration interval was estimated as 6.01 and 7.56h for children and infants, respectively, while the value was 8.5h in adults. When the drug was administered in multiple doses of 15 mg/kg intramuscularly every 8h, no accumulation occurred in children. It is suggested that ribostamycin be administered in intramuscular doses of 10 to 15 mg/kg twice daily in infants and 3 times daily in children, respectively.     

Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Modelling of the antipyretic effect of two oral formulations of ibuprofen

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships of racemic ibuprofen administered in suspension or as effervescent granules with the aim of exploring the effect of formulation on the relevant pharmacodynamic parameters. DESIGN: The pharmacokinetic model was developed from a randomised, cross-over bioequivalence study of the 2 formulations in healthy adults. The pharmacodynamic model was developed from a randomised, multicentre, single dose efficacy and safety study of the 2 formulations in febrile children. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Pharmacokinetics were studied in 18 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 45 years, and pharmacodynamics were studied in 103 febrile children aged between 4 and 16 years with bodyweight 225kg. METHODS: The pharmacokinetic study consisted of two 1-day study occasions, each separated by a 1-week washout period. On each occasion ibuprofen 400mg was administered orally as suspension or granules. The time course of the antipyretic effect was evaluated in febrile children receiving a single oral dose of 7 mg/kg in suspension or 200 or 400mg as effervescent granules. During the pharmacodynamic analysis, the predicted typical pharmacokinetic profile (based on the pharmacokinetic model previously developed) was used. RESULTS: The disposition of ibuprofen was described by a 2-compartment model. No statistical differences (p > 0.05) were found between the 2 formulations in the distribution and elimination parameters. Absorption of ibuprofen from suspension was adequately described by a first-order process; however, a model with 2 parallel first-order input sites was used for the drug given as effervescent granules, leading to time to reach maximum drug concentration (tmax) values of 0.9 and 1.9 hours for suspension and granules, respectively. The time course of the antipyretic effect was best described using an indirect response model. The estimates (with percentage coefficients of variation in parentheses) of Emax (maximum inhibition of the zero-order synthesis rate of the factor causing fever), EC50 (plasma concentration eliciting half of Emax), n (slope parameter) and k(out) (first order rate constant of degradation) were 0.055 (10), 6.16 (14) mg/L, 2.71 (18) and 1.17 (23) h(-1), respectively, where To is the estimate of the basal temperature, 38.8 (1) degrees C. No significant (p > 0.05) covariate effects (including pharmaceutical formulation) were detected in any of the pharmacodynamic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the indirect nature of the effect exerted by ibuprofen, the implications of differences found in the plasma drug concentration profiles between suspension and effervescent granules are less apparent in the therapeutic response.     

Tobramycin pharmacokinetics in children with febrile neutropenia undergoing stem cell transplantation: once-daily versus thrice-daily administration

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe the pharmacokinetic disposition of tobramycin in children undergoing stem cell transplantation (SCT) after intravenous administration either every 24 hours or every 8 hours, and to use this information to create initial dosing guidelines for administration every 24 hours in this patient population. DESIGN: Pharmacokinetic analysis of a randomized controlled trial. SETTING: The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. PATIENTS: Sixty children (< 18 yrs) with febrile neutropenia undergoing stem cell transplantation. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to receive intravenous tobramycin either every 24 hours (29 patients) or every 8 hours (31 patients). Initially, they received either 2.5 mg/kg/dose every 8 hours or weight-based doses by age group (< 5 yrs, 9 mg/kg/dose; 5 to < 12 yrs, 8 mg/kg/dose; > or = 12 yrs, 7 mg/kg/dose) every 24 hours. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Serum tobramycin concentrations were obtained at 2 and 8 hours after the first dose. Initial guidelines for dosing every 24 hours were derived using the parameters from all patients to achieve a maximum serum concentration (Cmax) of 20-22.5 mg/L and a drug-free interval (time during dosing interval when the tobramycin concentration was < 1 mg/L) of at least 4 hours. After the first tobramycin dose, the elimination rate constant (kel) and volume of distribution (Vd) observed in the every-8-hour group (23 patients) were 0.34 +/- 0.09 hours(-1) and 0.48 +/- 0.21 L/kg, respectively. The kel and Vd in the every-24-hour group (22 patients) were 0.43 +/- 0.12 hr(-1) and 0.43 +/- 0.26 L/kg, respectively. Tobramycin Vd varied with age. Initial doses of tobramycin every 24 hours recommended to achieve the target parameters are 10 mg/kg/dose for patients aged 6 months to less than 9 years, 8 mg/kg/dose for those aged 9 to less than 12 years, and 6 mg/kg/dose for those aged 12 years or older. CONCLUSION: Children undergoing SCT who receive tobramycin every 24 hours should receive an initial dose based on age. Further validation of the proposed dosing guidelines is required.     

Pharmacokinetics of nilvadipine after single oral doses in healthy volunteers

Forty healthy male Caucasian volunteers were randomly assigned to five treatment groups to receive a placebo or a 4, 8, 12, 16 or 20 mg dose of nilvadipine. The drug was well tolerated by the subjects at all dose levels. Pharmacokinetic parameters for nilvadipine were determined using model-independent methods. There were no significant differences (p greater than 0.05) in the time to the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) (tmax), the elimination half-life or the mean residence time among the five treatment groups. Up to doses of about 12 mg, there was a linear relationship between dose and Cmax or area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUCO----infinity). At doses of 16 and 20 mg, the relationship between dose and Cmax or AUCO----infinity was no longer linear, suggesting that the pharmacokinetics of the drug after single oral doses greater than about 12 mg may be dose-dependent, probably due to concentration-dependent first-pass hepatic elimination of the drug.     

Pharmacokinetics of ibuprofen enantiomers in children with cystic fibrosis

Chiral inversion of R(-)- to S(+)-ibuprofen in children with cystic fibrosis was investigated. Children with cystic fibrosis (n = 38, ages 2-13 years) were administered a single oral dose of racemic ibuprofen (20 mg/kg), and the pharmacokinetics of ibuprofen was found to be stereoselective. Mean Cmax, AUC, apparent CL/F, and Varea/F of S-ibuprofen were significantly different from those of R-ibuprofen. The enantiomeric ratio of plasma AUC (S:R = 2.09:1) and of free and conjugated ibuprofen in urine (S:R = 13.9:1) of children with cystic fibrosis was not different from reported values for healthy children and adults. No significant gender difference was observed for any of the pharmacokinetic parameters determined. However, there was an inverse linear relationship between the CL/F of R-ibuprofen and age in children with cystic fibrosis. Apparent CL/F was higher in children with cystic fibrosis than previously reported for healthy children; therefore, higher doses of ibuprofen would be necessary for children with cystic fibrosis.     

Absence of an interaction between ibuprofen and zaleplon.

The potential interaction between zaleplon and ibuprofen was studied. Healthy adult volunteers were given a dose of zaleplon 10 mg alone, a dose of ibuprofen 600 mg alone, or a dose of zaleplon 10 mg and a dose of ibuprofen 600 mg concomitantly in an open-label, randomized, three-period crossover study. There was a seven-day washout period between treatments. Venous blood samples were collected for pharmacokinetic analysis at various intervals up to 14 hours after drug administration. A total of 17 subjects (11 men and 6 women) completed the study. There were no significant differences between zaleplon monotherapy and combination therapy in mean +/- SD, of zaleplon clearance (CL) (2.80 +/- 0.72 versus 2.72 +/- 0.89 L/hr/kg, respectively), maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) (37.1 +/- 17.9 versus 39.8 +/- 20.0 ng/mL), or area under the concentration-versus-time curve (AUC) (56.7 +/- 22.8 versus 59.2 +/- 22.0 ng.hr/mL). There were no significant differences between ibuprofen monotherapy and combination therapy in ibuprofen CL (71.6 +/- 17.0 versus 71.7 +/- 14.9 L/hr/kg), Cmax (40.8 +/- 10.2 versus 40.4 +/- 10.0 micrograms/mL), or AUC (127.6 +/- 29.6 versus 126.4 +/- 29.7 micrograms.hr/mL). Three subjects had one or more adverse effects with zaleplon alone, one subject had one or more with ibuprofen alone, and one subject had one or more with combination therapy. The adverse effects were mild and resolved without intervention. There was no evidence of a significant interaction between zaleplon and ibuprofen.     

Regulatory Review of Acetaminophen Clinical Pharmacology in Young Pediatric Patients

The acetaminophen dosage schedule in pediatric patients below 12 years of age for the over‐the‐counter (OTC) monograph is one of the many issues being evaluated and discussed in the development of the Proposed Rule for Internal Analgesic, Antipyretic, and Anti‐rheumatic drug products. The dosage regimen based on age and weight, with instructions that weight‐based dosage should be used if a child's weight is known, is currently being assessed by the agency. This review summarizes the available pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (fever reduction) data of oral acetaminophen in pediatric patients of 6 months to 12 years of age. Acetaminophen is metabolized in the liver mainly through glucuronidation, sulfation, and to a lesser extent oxidation. Because of the difference in the ontogeny of various metabolizing pathways, the relative contribution of each pathway to the overall acetaminophen metabolism in children changes with age. The sulfation pathway plays a more important role in metabolizing acetaminophen than the glucuronidation pathway in younger children as compared with older children and adults. The pharmacokinetic exposure of acetaminophen in pediatric patients of 6 months to 12 years of age given oral administration of 10–15 mg/kg is within the adult exposure range given the OTC monograph dose. The antipyretic effect of acetaminophen is dose dependent and appears to be better than placebo at the dose range of 10–15 mg/kg in pediatric patients of 6 months to 12 years of age.     

Influences of psychological stress produced by intraspecies emotional communication on nicorandil plasma levels in rats

Influences of emotional stress on nicorandil pharmacokinetics were studied in rats that received physical and psychological stimuli (referred to as 'sender' and 'responder' rats, respectively) using the communication box paradigm. Concerning pharmacokinetic, there was no marked difference in the Tmax, Ka, Kel, T1/2 and Vd between the sender rats and the nonstressed control rats when both of which were orally administered 10 mg/kg of nicorandil. But the Cmax and AUC were lower and clearance (Cl) was higher in the sender rats. In the responder rats, there was no difference in Tmax, Ka, Kel, and T1/2. But the Cmax and AUC were lower and the Vd was higher than those of the control rats. On the other hand, when nicorandil was administered in a dose of 5 mg/kg subcutaneously, Tmax and T1/2 in the sender rats did not differ from those of the controls, but the Cmax, Ka and AUC were lower, and the Kel, Vd and Cl were higher. Between the responder and control rats, significant differences were found in all parameters except for Vd, i.e., Cmax, Ka, T1/2 and AUC were lower than those of control rats, and the Tmax, Kel and Cl were higher than those of control rats. This indicates that pharmacokinetics of nicorandil when administered orally and subcutaneously were influenced not only by physical stress but also by psychological stress.     

A pharmacokinetic investigation of sisomicin administered intramuscularly to children

For the purpose of studying the pharmacokinetic profile of sisomicin (SISO) and the proper conditions for its administration to children, SISO was administered intramuscularly to 10 infants aged less than 1 year, 16 young children and 18 school children at doses of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/kg and its serum and urine levels were determined by bioassay. The mean peak levels of SISO in serum appeared at 1/4 hour in the infants, irrespective of the dose; the mean peak levels were 2.27, 3.05 and 4.83 micrograms/ml after the 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/kg doses, respectively. In the young children, the mean peak levels appeared at 1/4 hour after the 1.0 mg/kg dose and at 1/2 hour after both the 1.5 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg doses. The mean peak levels were 2.82, 3.80 and 6.43 micrograms/ml, respectively. In the school children, the mean peak levels appeared at 1/2 hour after all the doses and were 4.34, 5.31 and 6.87 micrograms/ml, respectively. The mean peak levels were in the order of school children greater than young children greater than infants and were dose-dependent. In the infants, the mean urinary recovery was 43.7% for the 1.0 mg/kg dose and 31.2% for the 1.5 mg/kg dose; in the young children, 50.5, 35.9 and 65.6% for the 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/kg doses, respectively; and in the school children, 54.2, 50.2 and 56.7%. Using the observed serum levels, the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated according to the one-compartment open model theory. (1) The mean elimination rate constants (K) were calculated at 0.60, 0.67 and 0.56 hr-1 for the infants, young children and school children, respectively. There were found no great differences among the above 3 age groups. The mean absorption rate constants (ka) were 18.5, 7.6 and 5.9 hr-1 and the apparent volumes of distribution per kg body weight, Vd (L/kg), 0.44, 0.26 and 0.22 L/kg, respectively. These 2 parameters were significantly greater in the infants than in the young children and school children. The maximum serum concentration (Cmax) and the time when the concentration reaches a maximum (Tmax) were substantially in agreement with the observed values. The half-lives (T1/2) were 1.16, 1.03 and 1.23 hours for infants, young children and school children, respectively, and did not differ significantly among the 3 groups. A serum level simulation curve constructed by plotting the mean values for K, ka and Vd did not reveal any substantial deviation from the observed values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Pharmacokinetic studies on oral antibiotics in pediatrics. I. A pharmacokinetic study on cefixime in pediatrics

A pharmacokinetic study on cefixime (CFIX) 5% granules for pediatric use was performed, and pharmacokinetic parameter were calculated. 1. Six school children were administered orally with CFIX granules at a dose level of 3 mg/kg either at 30 minutes before meal or at 30 minutes after meal on a crossover design, and serum concentrations and urinary excretion rates of CFIX were determined. Tmax, Cmax, T 1/2 and urinary excretion rate (0-12 hours) following the administration before meal were 3.33 +/- 0.42 hours, 1.03 +/- 0.17 micrograms/ml, 2.31 +/- 0.26 hours and 15.3 +/- 2.2%, respectively, Tmax, Cmax, T 1/2 and urinary excretion rate following the the administration after meal were 4.00 +/- 0.52 hours, 0.90 +/- 0.09 micrograms/ml, 3.11 +/- 0.21 hours and 11.3 +/- 1.6%, respectively. Earlier Tmax, higher Cmax and higher urinary excretion rate were observed when the drug was administered before meal than when administered after meal. These differences between the 2 groups were not statistically significant. 2. Five school children were administered orally with CFIX granules at 30 minutes after meal at a dose level of either 3 mg/kg or 6 mg/kg on a crossover design, and serum concentrations and urinary excretion rates of CFIX were determined. Cmax and AUC at a dose level of 3 mg/kg were 1.01 +/- 0.26 mg/ml and 5.86 +/- 1.13 micrograms.hr/ml, respectively, and Cmax and AUC at a dose level of 6 mg/kg were 1.76 +/- 0.29 micrograms/ml, 12.54 +/- 1.77 micrograms.hr/ml, respectively. A dose response relationship was thus observed. Seven infants (3 mg/kg) and 3 infants (6 mg/kg) were administered orally with CFIX granules at 30 minutes after meal. Cmax and AUC at a dose level of 3 mg/kg were 2.45 +/- 0.26 micrograms/ml, 33.50 +/- 7.62 micrograms.hr/ml, respectively, and Cmax and AUC at a dose level of 6 mg/kg were 4.42 +/- 0.98 micrograms/ml, 66.85 +/- 25.19 micrograms.hr/ml, respectively. A dose response was observed. 3. Eleven school children, 5 younger children and 7 infants were administered orally with CFIX granules at a dose level of 3 mg/kg at 30 minutes after meal, and serum concentrations and urinary excretion rates of CFIX were determined. Tmax in school children, younger children and infants were 3.82 +/- 0.33 hours, 5.20 +/- 0.49 hours and 5.43 +/- 0.37 hours, respectively. Earlier Tmax's were observed in school children than in other children. Cmax in school children, younger children and infants were 0.95 +/- 0.12 micrograms/ml, 0.56 +/- 0.06 micrograms/ml and 2.45 +/- 0.26 micrograms/ml, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Anthropometric data and acetylsalicylic acid pharmacokinetics

The relationship between anthropometric data and pharmacokinetic characteristics of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) after administration of a single oral dose of 500 mg ASA, an oral and intravenous dose of 500 mg D,L-lysine-mono-acetylsalicylate (Lys-ASA) and an oral dose of 1,000 mg Lys-ASA were evaluated. Individual data from an open, randomized crossover trial in 13 healthy volunteers (age 18-50 years, 6 female, 7 male, height 158-189 cm, weight 45-118 kg) were re-analyzed using a non-compartmental approach. The influence of body weight, height, body surface area and age on pharmacokinetic characteristics (Cmax, Tmax, AUClast, MRTlast, t 1/2, Cl, Vd) was assessed using the multiple regression method and pairwise multiple correlations were calculated. Multiple regression analysis showed significant multiple correlation coefficients of approximately 0.86 for Cmax (500 mg Lys-ASA i.v., 1,000 mg Lys-ASA per os and 500 mg ASA per os), Cl and AUClast (1,000 mg Lys-ASA per os). Standardized regression values (beta) reflected a major contribution for height, weight and body surface area, but age was not a relevant factor. Pairwise comparisons confirmed negative correlations between anthropometric characteristics and Cmax, AUClast and MRTlast and positive correlations between anthropometric data, Cl and Vd. In conclusion, apart from Tmax and t 1/2, all pharmacokinetic characteristics were influenced by body weight, height and body surface area. Whereas repeated administration of high doses in patients with low body weights may give rise to toxic effects, acute single dose administration would not lead to significant under-dosing in tall or stout patients.     

Cerebrospinal fluid pharmacokinetics of cefpodoxime proxetil in piglets

Cefpodoxime is an oral third-generation cephalosporin used for the treatment of acute upper-respiratory tract infections caused by susceptible bacteria in children. Although not indicated for the treatment of bacterial meningitis, it is used to treat other infections produced by organisms associated with meningitis and may obscure the result of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures in children who develop meningitis while receiving oral antibiotics if sufficient concentrations are achieved in the CSF. This study evaluated the disposition of cefpodoxime and penetration into CSF in piglets. Fifteen Landacre-Camborough cross piglets (10-20 days old) received cefpodoxime proxetil oral suspension (10 mg/kg). Repeated plasma and CSF samples were collected over 24 hours for quantitation of cefpodoxime by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed on both plasma and CSF data. The plasma concentration versus time data for cefpodoxime were best characterized using a one-compartment model with first-order absorption. The mean (+/- SD) pharmacokinetic parameters for Cmax, tmax, and AUC0-infinity were 23.3 +/- 12.9 mg/L, 3.9 +/- 1.4 h, and 237 +/- 129 mg/L.h, respectively. CSF/plasma ratios for AUC0-infinity demonstrated a mean cefpodoxime penetration of approximately 5%. CSF penetration of cefpodoxime was evident following a single oral dose of cefpodoxime proxetil suspension. Despite the small percentage of total cefpodoxime dose distributing into the CSF, the resultant concentrations approached or exceeded the MIC90 for many bacterial pathogens considered susceptible to cefpodoxime. Accordingly, clinicians should use caution in the interpretation of CSF cultures in patients who develop clinical signs and symptoms consistent with meningitis and who have been previously treated with cefpodoxime.     

Pharmacokinetic studies on oral antibiotics in pediatrics. II. A pharmacokinetic study on cefteram pivoxil in pediatrics

A pharmacokinetic study on cefteram pivoxil (CFTM-PI) granules and tablets for pediatric use was performed, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using the one-compartment open model with a time lag. 1. Twelve school children were administered orally with CFTM-PI granules at a dose level of 3 mg/kg either at 30 minutes before meal or 30 minutes after meal on a crossover design, and serum concentrations and urinary excretion rates of CFTM were determined. Tmax, Cmax, T 1/2 and urinary excretion rate following the administration before meal were 1.3 +/- 0.1 hours, 1.35 +/- 0.11 micrograms/ml, 1.21 +/- 0.07 hours and 13.4 +/- 1.5%, respectively. Tmax, Cmax, T 1/2 and urinary excretion rate following the administration after meal were 2.9 +/- 0.3 hours, 1.08 +/- 0.09 microgram/ml, 1.72 +/- 0.26 hours and 23.3 +/- 2.2%, respectively. Earlier Tmax, higher Cmax and lower urinary excretion rate were observed when the drug was administered before meal than when administered after meal. 2. Six school children were administered orally with CFTM-PI granules at 30 minutes after meal at a dose level of either 3 mg/kg or 6 mg/kg on a crossover design, and serum concentrations and urinary excretion rates of CFTM were determined. Cmax at a dose level of 3 mg/kg was 1.50 +/- 0.26 microgram/ml, Cmax at a dose level of 6 mg/kg was 2.58 +/- 0.29 micrograms/ml. There existed dose response. 3. Eighteen school children, 10 younger children and 6 infants were administered orally with CFTM-PI granules at a dose level of 3 mg/kg at 30 minutes after meal, and serum concentrations and urinary excretion rates of CFTM were determined. Tmax in school children, younger children and infants were 2.8 +/- 0.3, 3.4 +/- 0.3 and 2.0 +/- 0.4 hours, respectively. Slightly earlier Tmax's were observed in infants than in other children. Cmax in school children, younger children and infants were 1.22 +/- 0.11, 1.03 +/- 0.12 and 0.94 +/- 0.15 micrograms/ml, respectively. It seemed slightly high in the older school children, younger children, infants. Although T 1/2 were nearly the same in all age groups, it seemed somewhat longer in school children than in others. Urinary excretion rates in school children, younger children and infants were 21.5 +/- 1.8, 19.3 +/- 2.0 and 7.6 +/- 0.1%, respectively. Obviously low excretion rates were observed in infants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Disposition of RS-26306, a potent luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonist, in monkeys and rats after single intravenous and subcutaneous administration.

The metabolic disposition of RS-26306, a new potent luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonist, was studied in rats and monkeys after single i.v. and sc administration with the 3H-labeled compound. Plasma pharmacokinetics after iv administration were: CLs = 2.5 ml/min/kg, Vd beta = 0.29 liter/kg, t1/2 = 1.4 hr (rats), and CLs = 0.8 ml/min/kg, Vd beta = 0.32 liter/kg, t1/2 = 5.1 hr (monkeys). Cmax and Tmax in rats were 0.53 micrograms/ml and 4 hr after the 1 mg/kg sc dose, and were 1.07 micrograms/ml and 12 hr after the 10 mg/kg sc dose. AUC0-infinity after the 10 mg/kg sc dose in rats was seven times that after the 1 mg/kg sc dose. Apparent plasma disappearance t1/2 in rats were 3.6 and 15.2 hr, respectively, after the 1 and 10 mg/kg sc doses. An average of 12 and 4% of dose radioactivity remained at the injection site in rats 3 and 10 days, respectively, after a 10 mg/kg sc dose. In monkeys, Tmax after a 1 mg/kg sc dose was 0.5 hr for three animals but was 24 hr for the fourth animal, although plasma of this monkey contained substantial levels of RS-26306 between 15 min and 24 hr. Apparent plasma t1/2 in monkeys after a 1 mg/kg sc dose was at least 19 hr. Our data suggest depot formation after sc doses. In vitro plasma binding amounted to 82-84%. Excretion was mainly biliary: 12-25 and 55-84% of dose radioactivity was recovered in urine and feces, respectively, in both species. The biological samples contained only traces of 3H2O. Three metabolites, which were truncated peptides of the parent decapeptide, were identified in the rat bile. One of these was also present in the monkey plasma. The restricted enzymatic degradation of RS-26306, extensive plasma binding, and long circulating t1/2 of RS-26306 contribute to its prolonged activity in animal models and in humans.     

Comparative efficacy and tolerance of ibuprofen syrup and acetaminophen syrup in children with pyrexia associated with infectious diseases and treated with antibiotics

A double-blind, randomised, parallel group study has been done comparing the efficacy and tolerability of 7.5 mg/kg ibuprofen syrup (n=77) and 10 mg·kg^–1 acetaminophen syrup (n=77) in 154 children (6 months to 5 years) with fever (38°C) associated with infectious diseases and treated with antibiotic therapy.The area under the percentage reduction in temperature curve captured the net effect of each drug and provided the best estimate for comparison of efficacy during a defined period. Temperature evolution over time was not significantly different between the two groups. Nevertheless, the temperature reduction over the first 4 h of treatment (H0–H4) was significantly higher after ibuprofen (60%) than acetaminophen (45%). Both ibuprofen and acetaminophen were well tolerated.In conclusion, significant antipyretic activity, good tolerability and its availability as a syrup make ibuprofen an effective means of fever control in children.     

Disposition of minoxidil in patients with various degrees of renal function

The disposition of minoxidil was evaluated after a 5 mg oral dose in 24 subjects with various degrees of renal function. Patients were divided into four groups based on a 24-hour ambulatory creatinine clearance (Clcr): Group I (n = 6) Clcr greater than 90 mL/min, Group II (n = 6) Clcr 50-80 mL/min, Group III (n = 5) Clcr of 30-49 mL/min, and Group IV (n = 7) Clcr less than 30 mL/min. Blood and urine samples obtained over 36 hours were analyzed for minoxidil by a high pressure liquid chromatography technique. Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and time to reach Cmax did not differ among the four groups. The terminal elimination half-life was prolonged in Group IV subjects (8.87 +/- 6.12 hours) (mean +/- SD) compared to those in Groups I, II and III (1.38 +/- 0.16, 1.99 +/- 0.45 and 2.42 +/- 0.53 hours, respectively). Apparent total body clearance (Clp/F) decreased as renal function declined; Clp/F = 0.82(Clcr) + 21.8, r = 0.739, P = 0.0001. Renal clearance and apparent nonrenal clearance also were significantly correlated with Clcr. The apparent volume of distribution significantly increased as renal function declined. Thus, the disposition of minoxidil is significantly delayed and dosage adjustment may be necessary in patients with renal insufficiency.     

Multiple-dose acetaminophen pharmacokinetics.

Four different treatments of acetaminophen (Tylenol) were administered in multiple doses to eight healthy volunteers. Each treatment (325, 650, 825, and 1000 mg) was administered five times at 6-h intervals. Saliva acetaminophen concentration versus time profiles were determined. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated and compared to determine whether acetaminophen exhibited linear or dose-dependent pharmacokinetics. For doses less than or equal to 18 mg/kg, area under the curve (AUC), half-life (t1/2), mean residence time (MRT), and ratio of AUC to dose for the first dose were compared with the last dose. No statistically significant differences were observed in dose-corrected AUC for the first or last dose among subjects or treatments. Half-lives and MRT were not significantly different among treatments for the first or the last dose. Statistically significant differences in t1/2 and MRT were noted (p less than 0.05) among subjects for the last dose. A plot of AUC versus dose for the first and the last doses exhibited a linear relationship. Dose-corrected saliva concentration versus time curves for the treatments were superimposable. Thus, acetaminophen exhibits linear pharmacokinetics for doses of 18 mg/kg or less. Plots of AUC versus dose for one subject who received doses higher than 18 mg/kg were curved, suggesting nonlinear behavior of acetaminophen in this subject.     

Pharmacological studies of dl-2[3-(2'-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]propionic acid. I. Analgesic and antipyretic effects

Analgesic and antipyretic effects of dl-2[3-(2'-chlorophenoxy)phenyl] propionic acid (CPP) were studied in mice, rats and guinea-pigs. CPP produced a dose dependent inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing syndrome. Its ED50 values 1 and 3 hr after oral administration were 47 and 31 mg/kg, respectively. CPP had a potent analgesic effect on bradykinin-induced nociceptive response in rats, and its ED50 value was 15 mg/kg 2 hr after oral administration. The analgesic activity of CPP in these experiments was less potent than that of indomethacin, but it was approximately equivalent to ibuprofen and 10 to 20 times as potent as aspirin. CPP had no analgesic effect on both the tail pinch and hot plate tests in mice, while CPP potentiated the analgesic effect of codeine on these tests. CPP had no effect on the nociceptive response induced by intradermal injection of bradykinin and/or EDTA in guinea-pigs. On the other hand, when CPP was given orally in a dose range of 1.25 to 5 mg/kg, it produced an antipyretic effect on yeast-induced fever in rats. The antipyretic activity of CPP was equivalent to ibuprofen and 10 to 15 times as potent as aspirin.     

Pharmacokinetics and excretion of chlorogenic acid in beagle dogs

In order to characterize the pharmacokinetics and excretion of chlorogenic acid (ChA) in beagle dogs, a gradient high performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed and validated for determining ChA concentration in dog serum, urine and feces. The pharmacokinetic profile of ChA in dog after an intravenous injection was best described by a two-compartment model. Terminal half-lifes were similar at dosages of 5, 20 and 50 mg/kg, ranging from 41-45 min, while AUC and Cmax values of ChA were dose proportional. There are no differences in Vd and CL at three doses of ChA, ranging from 133-252 mL/kg and from 4.4-6.3 mL/min/kg respectively. Excretion studies showed that more than 67% ChA was excreted into urine and less than 3% ChA was eliminated into feces.