ISSN:
1432-1041
Keywords:
Methylprednisolone
;
Rheumatoid arthritis
;
bioavailability
;
pharmacokinetics
;
clinical response
;
pulse steroid therapy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary A commercially available 1.0 g intravenous (i.v.) dosage formulation of methylprednisolone, as the sodium hemisuccinate salt (Solu MedrolR, Upjohn) was administered both parenterally and orally (pulse steroid therapy) on separate occasions, to eight elderly (mean 65 y) patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. The relative oral bioavailability of the sterol was 69.2%. Elimination of methylprednisolone was prolonged when given orally; the mean residence times were 7.23 h and 3.94 h for oral and i.v. administrations, respectively. Clinical response to pulse steroid therapy was no different with respect to route of administration. There were no significant differences in standard clinical and laboratory assessments of disease activity when the two therapies were compared. Oral administration of methylprednisolone in patients requiring high-dose pulse steroid therapy is convenient and avoids the discomfort and inconvenience associated with i.v. administration.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00314925
