Effect of two antacids on the bioavailability of paracetamol

Summary The effect of two antacids on the bioavailability of paracetamol has been investigated in 12 young healthy volunteers. Following a random cross over design, each subject swallowed, on three separate occasions, one weak apart, 500 mg paracetamol alone, or together with two different aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide preparations (Dimalan and Maalox). Plasma paracetamol levels were measured by HPLC. The bioavailability of paracetamol was not altered by either antacid, but they both delayed the time to peak plasma concentration (0.85 h; 1.43 h; 1.25 h, without antacid, with Dimalan and with Maalox respectively). The peak plasma concentration was not affected by concurrent antacid administration.     

Lack of pharmacokinetic interaction between the oral anti-influenza neuraminidase inhibitor prodrug oseltamivir and antacids

AIMS: Oseltamivir is an oral ester prodrug of its active metabolite Ro 64-0802, a potent and selective neuraminidase inhibitor of the influenza virus. The object of this study was to evaluate whether the oral absorption of oseltamivir was reduced in the presence of two main classes of antacid, Maalox(R) suspension (containing magnesium hydroxide and aluminium hydroxide) and Titralac(R) tablets (containing calcium carbonate). METHODS: Twelve healthy volunteers completed a randomized, single dose, three-period crossover study. Each volunteer received in a fasted state, 150 mg oseltamivir alone (Treatment A), 150 mg oseltamivir with a 20 ml Maalox suspension (Treatment B), and 150 mg oseltamivir with four Titralac tablets (Treatment C), with 7-10 days washout in between treatments. Plasma and urine concentrations of oseltamivir and Ro 64-0802 were measured using a validated h.p.l.c./MS/MS assay. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated for oseltamivir and Ro 64-0802. Since antacids are locally acting drugs and generally not expected to be absorbed substantially into the systemic system, no plasma or urine concentrations of antacids were measured. RESULTS: Bioequivalence was achieved for the primary pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax and AUC(0, infinity ) of Ro 64-0802 following administration of oseltamivir with either Maalox suspension or Titralac(R) tablets vs administration of oseltamivir alone. The bioavailability (90% confidence intervals) of Ro 64-0802 following administration of oseltamivir together with Maalox suspension vs administration of oseltamivir alone, was 90% (83.6, 96.9%) for C(max) and 94.1% (91.4, 96.9%) for AUC(0, infinity); similarly, for Titralac tablets, the equivalent values were 95.1% (88.3, 102%) for C(max) and 94.7% (91.9, 97.5%) for AUC(0, infinity). CONCLUSIONS: The coadministration of either Maalox suspension or Titralac tablets with oseltamivir has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of either oseltamivir or Ro 64-0802, and conversely, there is no evidence that coadministration with oseltamivir has an effect on the safety and tolerability of either Maalox suspension or Titralac tablets. There was no pharmacokinetic interaction between oseltamivir with either antacid, demonstrating that the oral absorption of oseltamivir was not impaired in the presence of antacids containing magnesium, aluminium or calcium.     

Effect of an antacid on gastrointestinal absorption of theophylline.

The effect of a magnesium-aluminum hydroxide antacid (Maalox) on the oral absorption of aminophylline tablets was studied. Twelve healthy adults were administered 200 mg of aminophylline alone or with 30 ml of antacid in a complete crossover study. Blood samples were drawn at 0.33, 0.67, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours following theophylline (as aminophylline) administration. Theophylline plasma levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The plasma theophylline concentrations of the group receiving theophylline only were significantly greater than those of the group receiving theophylline plus antacid at the 0.67- and 1-hour sample times only (p less than 0.05). The extent of theophylline absorption and the eliminated rate constant were not significantly affected by the antacid. Antacid significantly decreased theophylline's absorption rate constant (p less than 0.05), indicating a slower absorption of theophylline with antacid. Concurrent administration of the antacid Maalox should not significantly change theophylline's clinical effect.     

The effects of food and of antacid on the single oral dose pharmacokinetics of tenoxicam

A single oral dose (40 mg) of tenoxicam (Ro12-0068) was administered to six normal male volunteers pre- and post-prandially and to a further six volunteers with and without antacid to determine the effect of food and and of antacid on absorption. The rate of absorption was slower with post-prandial than with pre-prandial administration, resulting in a significantly later time for peak plasma drug levels (4.1 h compared to 1.3 h). No effect was evident on the extent of absorption or other pharmacokinetic parameters. Similarly, the rate of absorption was significantly slower after concurrent antacid than without antacid (t1/2 0.47 h compared to 0.18 h) resulting in a later peak time (4.7 h compared to 2.3 h) and significantly lower peak level (4.2 micrograms X ml-1 compared to 5.1 micrograms X ml-1) of parent drug in plasma. Again, no effect was evident on the extent of absorption or other pharmacokinetic parameters. It is concluded that food and antacids both tend to reduce the rate of absorption of tenoxicam, but that the extent of absorption is essentially unchanged. The influence on the overall kinetic profile is relatively minor, and thus unlikely to affect the therapeutic response.     

Absolute bioavailability and effect of food and antacid on diazepam absorption from a slow-release preparation

A series of healthy volunteers received a single 7.5-mg intravenous dose of diazepam on one occasion and a single 15-mg oral dose of slow-release diazepam (DZ-SR) on another occasion. Diazepam concentrations were measured by gas chromatography in multiple plasma samples drawn during seven days after each dose. Absorption of diazepam from DZ-SR was slow, with mean +/- S.E. peak concentrations attained at 3.8 +/- 0.5 hours after dosage. Absolute bioavailability of DZ-SR averaged 0.98 +/- 0.06. In two other studies, diazepam absorption from DZ-SR was evaluated when coadministered with a standard breakfast or with an antacid preparation (Maalox). Neither food nor antacid altered the rate of diazepam absorption and did not impair the completeness of absorption. Higher peak total plasma diazepam concentrations occurred in the postprandial as opposed to the fasting state, but this was an artifact of reduced protein binding (increased free fraction) due to fasting. Thus, diazepam absorption from DZ-SR is slow and essentially complete.     

EFFECTS OF FOOD,ANTACID, AND DOSAGE FORM ON THE PHARMACOKINETICS AND RELATIVE BIOAVAILABILITY OF SERTINDOLE IN HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

The pharmacokinetic disposition and relative bioavailability of sertindole administered as a tablet dosage form under fasting conditions, in the presence of food, in the presence of antacid, and as solution was studied in a four-way crossover in young healthy male volunteers. Overall, tablet dosing after a meal or Maalox had no effect on t_1/2 or AUC values when compared to fasting conditions, but increased the t_max and decreased the C_max values slightly. The mean relative bioavailabilities of sertindole administered as tablets after fasting, with food, and with Maalox are 99, 104, and 98%, respectively, compared to sertindole solution. Therefore, sertindole can be administered with and without food and without regard to coadministration of antacids. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effects of an antacid or cimetidine on the serum concentrations of azithromycin.

The effects of an antacid and of cimetidine on the serum concentrations of azithromycin were examined in volunteers. Ten subjects were given 500 mg azithromycin alone and immediately after being given 30 mL Maalox (Rorer, Fort Washington, PA) in a crossover design. There were no statistically significant differences in Tmax or AUC0-48 after administration of azithromycin alone or with antacid, but mean values of Cmax were reduced by 24% (P = .015). Thus, although Cmax was decreased, the extent of absorption of azithromycin was not affected by coadministration with an antacid. Two groups of six volunteers were given 500 mg azithromycin on day 1. On day 8, one group was given 800 mg cimetidine 2 hours before a dose of azithromycin; the remaining group received placebo before azithromycin. There were no differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters produced by administration with cimetidine or placebo, relative to those on day 1. Thus, cimetidine administered 2 hours before a dose of azithromycin had no apparent effect on the serum concentrations of azithromycin.     

Effects of antacids on the clinical pharmacokinetics of drugs. An update

Since a previous review by Hurwitz was published in 1977 a large number of reports on drug interactions with antacids have appeared, few of which are of clinical relevance. Tetracyclines form insoluble complex molecules by metal ion chelation with various antacids; tetracycline absorption may be decreased by more than 90% by this interaction. Of the new class of quinolone antibiotics, the absorption of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin is reduced by 50 to 90% in the presence of aluminium- and magnesium hydroxide-containing antacids. In contrast to early work showing inhibition of the absorption of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs by antacids, subsequent studies did not confirm a reduction in the bioavailability of either atenolol or propranolol during antacid treatment; indeed, they showed an increase in the plasma concentrations of metoprolol when the drug was coadministered with an antacid. The bioavailability of captopril was significantly reduced in the presence of an antacid, and lower plasma concentrations of this angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor were accompanied by a reduction of its effect on the systolic blood pressure of the patients. The absorption of the cardiac glycosides digoxin and digitoxin is not inhibited by antacids to a significant degree, although earlier studies had shown a positive effect when the dissolution of the glycoside preparations was relatively poor. Antacids reduce the bioavailability of the H2-receptor antagonists cimetidine and ranitidine only when high antacid doses are used and when the drugs are administered simultaneously. The bioavailability of famotidine was not significantly altered by a potent antacid preparation, although a trend towards reduced absorption was observed. Iron absorption is significantly decreased in the presence of sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate, but is nearly complete when coadministered with aluminium-magnesium hydroxide. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen, tenoxicam, ketoprofen, ibuprofen and piroxicam are not affected in their absorption by antacid treatment. Theophylline bioavailability is unchanged when the drug is given together with antacids, although its rate of absorption may be altered, leading to a reduction or an increase in the time of the occurrence of peak plasma drug concentrations.     

Effect of antacid on the bioavailabiity of lithium carbonate

The effect of an antacid on the bioavailability of lithium carbonate was determined in six healthy men in a crossover study. The volunteers were given single 300-mg doses of lithium carbonate alone and with 30 ml of an antacid containing aluminum and magnesium hydroxides with simethicone. Blood samples were collected at various times for 0-24 hours after each dose. The plasma samples were analyzed for lithium using a spectrophotometer, and bioavailability variables were calculated from plasma lithium concentration-time curves. There were no significant differences in peak plasma lithium concentration, time to peak concentration, area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 hours, first-order absorption rate constant, and first-order elimination rate constant between the two treatments. Concurrent administration of antacids and lithium carbonate should not affect lithium blood concentrations.     

The effect of an antacid and food on the absorption of cimetidine and ranitidine

The effect of varying doses of a liquid antacid preparation containing magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide and simethicone on the absorption of the H2-receptor antagonists, cimetidine and ranitidine, was determined in 2 groups of 11 volunteers; one group fasted and one group fed a standardized breakfast. The antacid alone caused a significant decrease in the AUC of cimetidine (24%). Similarly, concomitant antacid caused a 59% decrease in the AUC of ranitidine. There were no effects on any of the other pharmacokinetic parameters examined. The absorption of both drugs was similar in fasted and fed volunteers, but in the fed volunteers the antacid did not produce the decrease in AUC seen in the fasted volunteers. These data suggest that H2-receptor antagonists should not be taken at the same time as antacids.     

Pharmacokinetics of metoprolol and its metabolite α-OH-metoprolol in healthy,non-smoking,elderly individuals

The absorption and disposition of metoprolol have been evaluated in 10 healthy, non-smoking, elderly individuals (mean age 73.1 years) by simultaneous determination of [3H]-metoprolol and unlabelled metoprolol. The labelled drug was given as an intravenous tracer dose, immediately followed by oral metoprolol 25 mg. The experiment was preceded by administration of metoprolol 25 mg b.i.d. for 3 days. The volume of distribution, elimination half-life and total body clearance were almost the same as previously observed in healthy, young subjects. The mean systemic availability was about 39% in the elderly, which is lower than the mean of 55% observed in a control group of young volunteers who received 50 mg b.i.d. In the elderly, the mean plasma concentration of alpha-OH-metoprolol was about twice as high as that of the parent drug, whereas the opposite was true of the control group. The results indicate that age-related physiological changes have a negligible effect on the pharmacokinetics of metoprolol.     

Comparative palatability of 22 liquid antacids

OBJECTIVE: To compare the palatability, acid neutralizing capability, and costs of different antacids. METHODS: Volunteers between the ages of 18 and 60 years were given 22 antacids. All antacids were given during a 4-h period in two groups of 11 antacids each. Subjects sampled each antacid in a manner similar to wine tasting and rated each antacid on its smell, taste, texture and aftertaste using a scale of 1-9; 1 being the worst and 9 the best. RESULTS: A total of 73 adults completed the study. Mylanta Lemon Twist and Mylanta Cherry Crème were the most palatable antacids; however, overall the palatability of all the antacids was poor. Maalox MS Cool Mint and ES Gaviscon were the least palatable. The extra strength antacids had the most acid neutralizing capability, and thus would require smaller doses. Amphogel was the most costly antacid per mEq of acid neutralized. Age and gender did not affect the palatability scores. CONCLUSION: Although the regular strengths of Mylanta Lemon Twist and Mylanta Cherry Crème were the most palatable, the extra strength versions of these products have twice the acid neutralizing capability and thus, half the volume is required for each dose. Therefore, these agents may be the antacids of choice.     

Pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin in elderly patients and in healthy young subjects

Summary The pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone widely used in the treatment of bacterial infections, may be different according to age, owing to the biological differences that exist between an elderly organism and a young subject, expecially as regards the renal and the hepatic function.In our study the pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin in 12 elderly patients was found to be different from those of 12 healthy young volunteers.The elimination half-life (t_&frac;) was slightly shorter in the young subjects than in the elderly: 6.2 (0.9)h against 8.5(1.2)h respectively. The oral total clearance was lower in the geriatric patients compared to the young healthy volunteers: 83.3(16.6) ml/min in the first group, and 23.3(33.3) ml/min in the second group. AUC and peak plasma concentration in elderly exceeded those noted in young healthy volunteers.The results of this study suggest that, compared with younger subjects, older patients experience delayed elimination of ofloxacin. It would be reasonable, from a pharmacokinetic point of view, to limit the dose of ofloxacin in patients more than 75 years old, at least to one half of that given to younger patients.     

Antacids have no influence on the pharmacokinetics of rabeprazole, a new proton pump inhibitor, in healthy volunteers.

AIM: This randomized, open-label, crossover study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a single dose of antacid, aluminum and magnesium hydroxide suspension, on pharmacokinetics of rabeprazole in healthy male volunteers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twelve subjects were randomly divided into 6 groups of 2 subjects each, and received 20 mg of rabeprazole either without antacid, concomitantly with antacid, or one hour after administration of antacid in three experimental arms with washout period of one week. The concentrations of rabeprazole in plasma were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Rabeprazole was well tolerated at the 20 mg dose level when given with or without antacid. The pharmacokinetic parameters, Cmax, t(max), AUC and t1/2, showed no statistically significant differences when rabeprazole was administered alone, concomitantly with antacid or one hour after antacid administration. CONCLUSION: No influence of single dose of antacid on pharmacokinetics of rabeprazole was observed.     

Stereoselective pharmacokinetics of flurbiprofen in humans and rats

Flurbiprofen, a 2-arylpropionic acid (2-APA) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), exists as racemate and is used as such. Although the activity of 2-APAs is due mainly to their S-enantiomers, information on the pharmacokinetics of flurbiprofen is usually based on the measurement of total concentrations of S- and R-flurbiprofen. In this work, the pharmacokinetics of flurbiprofen enantiomers following single doses were studied in humans and rats. Upon iv administration of 10 mg/kg of racemic flurbiprofen to male Sprague-Dawley rats, the plasma concentrations were consistently higher for S-flurbiprofen than for R-flurbiprofen (AUC = 134 +/- 39 versus 41 +/- 9 mg.L-1 h). In bile duct-cannulated rats, the biliary excretion contained only 3.6-5.2% of the dose as conjugated flurbiprofen (S:R = 1.2-2.1). After administration of R-flurbiprofen to the rat, both enantiomers were found in plasma [AUC(R):AUC(S) = 0.10-0.16], indicating a limited extent of enantiomeric bioinversion. This is consistent with the previously reported limited extent of flurbiprofen uptake into fat. In healthy volunteers also, significant stereoselectivity was observed in the plasma concentration of the drug after 100-mg oral racemic doses [AUC-(S):AUC(R) = 45.4 +/- 12.7:40.1 +/- 14.3 mg.L-1.h]. As compared with the R-enantiomer, S-flurbiprofen has a smaller volume of distribution (7.23 +/- 1.9 versus 8.41 +/- 3.0 L) and total clearance (1.23 +/- 0.34 versus 1.47 +/- 0.50 L/h), but an equal half-life (4.21 +/- 1.2 versus 4.18 +/- 1.3 h). In urine, on the other hand, the R-configuration was predominant, as greater amounts of the R-enantiomer were found both as conjugated flurbiprofen and as an unidentified metabolite. Negligible amounts of intact flurbiprofen enantiomers were detected in urine. The observed stereoselectivity in humans cannot be attributed to enantiomeric bioinversion, as S-flurbiprofen was not detected in plasma and urine after oral administration of R-flurbiprofen.     

The effect of antacid and cimetidine on the oral absorption of the antifungal agent SCH 39304

The single-dose pharmacokinetics of the antifungal agent SCH 39304 (Schering-Plough Corp., Kenilworth, NJ) were assessed alone and in combination with antacid and cimetidine. On three separate occasions nine healthy men received a single oral 50 mg dose of SCH 39304 either alone, with 60 mL antacid, or with oral cimetidine 300 mg four times a day for 4 days. Concomitant antacid or cimetidine administration had no significant effect on any of the SCH 39304 pharmacokinetic parameters studied. The oral absorption of SCH 39304, as assessed by the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and the amount of drug recovered unchanged in the urine, was not affected by either antacid or cimetidine. The AUC0-1 for the drug given alone was 80.5 +/- 15.8 micrograms.hr/mL, compared to 81.4 +/- 12.7 and 79.7 +/- 9.6 micrograms.hr/mL with concomitant antacid and cimetidine, respectively. The amount of drug excreted in the urine (Ae0-1) was 22.7 +/- 5.1, 24.2 +/- 9.2, and 23.6 +/- 7.6 mg when the drug was given alone, with antacid, and with cimetidine, respectively. Antacid coadministration delayed absorption as evidenced by an increase in the tmax in 7 out of 9 subjects, although this did not reach statistical significance (P = .082, Wilcoxon test). We conclude that concomitant antacid or cimetidine does not alter the oral absorption or pharmacokinetic disposition of single-dose SCH 39304.     

Effect of antacid pretreatment on the pharmacokinetics of AS-924, a novel ester-type cephem antibiotic--comparison with cefteram-pivoxil.

The effect of pretreatment with ranitidine, an antacid, on the absorption of AS-924, a novel prodrug-type cephem antibiotic derived from ceftizoxime (CTIZ), was examined in eight healthy adult male volunteers by the cross-over method, using cefteram-pivoxil (CTER-PI) as the control drug. The C(max) and area under the concentration (AUC) values and cumulative urinary excretion rate (0-24 h) of cefteram (CTER) after administration of CTER-PI decreased by 32, 38 and 37%, respectively, in the ranitidine pretreatment group whereas those of AS-924 were not affected by the antacid. The urinary levels of pivaloyl-carnitine determined to evaluate the solubility of these antibiotics in the gastrointestinal tract suggested that this was not affected by ranitidine. These results indicate that the absorption of CTER-PI was affected by pretreatment with ranitidine largely due to inactivation of this antibiotic in the gastrointestinal tract at high pH rather than to a decrease in solubility. In contrast, isomerization of AS-924 was hardly induced by the elevation of pH, thus demonstrating that AS-924 was less likely to be affected by pretreatment with antacids.     

The effect of antacid and ranitidine on droxicam pharmacokinetics.

Droxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is a pro-drug of piroxicam. The influence of concomitant administration of antacid or ranitidine on droxicam pharmacokinetics has been investigated. On three separate phases, 15 healthy volunteers received a single oral 20-mg dose of droxicam either alone, with antacid (400 mg aluminum hydroxide + 400 mg magnesium hydroxide, three times/day), or with ranitidine (300 mg, two times/day) for 6 days. Piroxicam, the active substance from droxicam, was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The pharmacokinetic parameters for droxicam given alone were: maximum peak plasma concentration (Cmax) = 1.53 +/- .21 micrograms/mL (mean +/- SD), time to peak concentration (Tmax) = 7.5 +/- 2.1 hr, t1/2a = 1.38 +/- .82 hour, t1/2el = 53.3 +/- 11.9 hr, Cl/F = 2.98 +/- .71 mL/min, volume of distribution (Vd/F) = 13.2 +/- 1.8 L and area under the curve (AUC) = 117.6 +/- 26.8 micrograms/hour/mL. The subject effect was significant for all the pharmacokinetic parameters except for the absorption half-life (P < .05). Concomitant antacid or ranitidine administration had no significant effect on any of the droxicam pharmacokinetic parameters. The results of this study suggest that antacid or ranitidine do not significantly alter the oral absorption or pharmacokinetic disposition of single-dose droxicam.     

Antacid interaction with new quinolones: dose regimen recommendations based on pharmacokinetic modeling of clinical data for ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin and norfloxacin and metal cations

OBJECTIVE: New quinolones (NQs) are widely used to treat various infections. However, concomitant oral administration of metal cations may decrease absorption of NQs and consequently decrease their blood concentration and pharmacological effect. A convenient approach to avoid this interaction is to separate the dosages by a certain interval. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel pharmacokinetic model to describe NQs-metal cation interactions in order to estimate the optimal dosing interval. METHODS: Plasma concentration-time profiles of NQs after administration without or with metal cations at various dosing intervals were collected from the literature and analyzed with a pharmacokinetic model incorporating the formation ofNQs-metal cations complex. The model was fitted to the reported time profiles ofciprofloxacin (CPFX) plasma concentration after concomitant administration with aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide antacid (Al/Mg antacid; Maalox, Maalox70) at various dosing intervals to obtain the pharmacokinetic parameters of CPFX. Model analysis was also carried out for gatifloxacin (GFLX) and norfloxacin (NFLX). RESULTS: The developed model could adequately explain the interactions in all the combinations investigated. The model predicted, in the cases of usual doses of CPFX with Maalox, GFLX with Maalox70 and NFLX with sucralfate, that the NQ should be administered 4.5, 4.5 and 3.5 hours after, or 1, 1 and 0.5 hours before the administration of metal cations, respectively, to ensure 90% of control absorption. CONCLUSIONS: The developed model can adequately describe the extent of interaction between NQs and metal cations, and should be clinically useful to design dosage regimens to circumvent the interaction.