Summary
We have studied the systemic availability of oral albendazole in 6 patients with echinococcosis either fasting or with breakfast. Albendazole sulphoxide, the pharmacologically active principle, was assayed by HPLC.
Mean plasma concentrations and AUCs were 4.5 times higher when albendazole was given with breakfast than when administered in the fasting state.
We conclude that therapy of echinococcosis with albendazole requires the drug to be taken with meals and that administration on an empty stomach might be more appropriate when intraluminal effects are desired, e.g. for intestinal parasites.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Bircher J, Luder PJ, Schröder R, Robotti G, Meister F (1984) Echinokokkose heute — Morgenröte am Himmel einer medikamentösen Behandlung. Ther Umsch 41: 660–666
Dawson M, Watson TR (1985) The effect of dose form on the bioavailability of mebendazole in man. Br J Clin Pharmacol 19: 87–90
Gazder AJ, Roy J (1987) Albendazole suspension in the treatment of intestinal helminthiasis in children. Curr Ther Res 41: 324–327
McLean A, McNamara PJ, du Souich P, Gibaldi M, Lalka D (1978) Food, splanchnic blood flow, and bioavailability of drugs subject to first pass metabolism. Clin Pharmacol Ther 24: 5–10
Marriner SE, Morris DL, Dickson B, Bogan JA (1986) Pharmacokinetics of albendazole in man. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 30: 705–708
Morris DL, Dykes PW, Dickson B, Marriner SE, Bogan JA, Burrows FGO (1983) Albendazole in hydatid disease. Br Med J 286: 103–104
Muenst GJ, Karlangis G, Bircher J (1980) Plasma concentrations of mebendazole during treatment of echinococcosis. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 17: 375–378
Welling PG (1977) Influence of food and diet on gastrointestinal drug absorption: A review. J Pharmacokinet Biopharm 5: 291–334
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lange, H., Eggers, R. & Bircher, J. Increased systemic availability of albendazole when taken with a fatty meal. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 34, 315–317 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00540964
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00540964