title: The pharmacokinetics of slow-release procainamide.
abstract: Procainamide was given to 20 patients with normal renal function as an i.v. bolus of 500 mg followed by 1.0 or 1.5 g eight-hourly by mouth in the form of a slow release preparation (Durules). 97.6 +/- 27.1 (SD)% of the oral procainamide was absorbed, the absorption half life being 1.54 h. The elimination half life following the oral formulation was 6.0 +/- 0.8 h, compared to a mean of 3.4 +/- 0.4 h following i.v. administration. Elimination half life following i.v. administration was slightly related to acetylator status, being 2.75 +/- 0.9 h in fast acetylators, and 4.4 +/- 2.4 h in slow acetylators. This dependence on acetylator status was not seen in half life following oral administration. Total body clearance, steady state plasma procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide were not significantly dependent on acetylator status, although a few patients who are slow acetylators had unexpectedly low clearance and high steady state procainamide concentrations when given the higher dose.
mesh_terms: D001682:Biological Availability; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D011342:Procainamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D011342:Procainamide