Absorption of lithium following administration of slow-release and conventional preparations.
The plasma lithium levels of 18 subjects receiving one standard and two slow-release preparations of lithium carbonate were measured at frequent intervals during the 24 hours following oral ingestion of a single dose of the drug. Although the slow-release tablets showed slow-release in vitro, this was not so in vivo. One slow-release preparation, in particular, was ineffectively absorbed by some subjects. There was no difference in the rate of absorption and excretion between the other slow-release product and the standard BP preparation. The implications of the results are discussed.
D000042:Absorption; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001682:Biological Availability; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D008094:Lithium