Effect of tetracycline on mefloquine pharmacokinetics in Thai males.
The kinetics of a single oral dose of mefloquine given either alone or with tetracycline has been studied in 20 healthy Thai male volunteers. There was a significantly higher maximum whole blood mefloquine concentration after coadministration with tetracycline (1600 vs 1160 ng.ml-1), as well as a significantly reduced terminal half-life (14.4 vs 19.3 days), mean residence time (11.9 vs 16.0 days) and volume of distribution at steady state (13.3 vs 19.9 1.kg-1). Although there was no significant change in the AUC from zero time to infinity, the AUC from zero time to 7 days was significantly increased by tetracycline (6.18 vs 4.76 micrograms.ml-1.day). The changes in mefloquine disposition after tetracycline treatment are probably due to a reduction in enterohepatic recycling. The initial increase in mefloquine AUC without an apparent increase in side-effects suggests that this combination may have a place in the treatment of multi-drug resistant falciparum malaria.
Karbwang
J
J
Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidoi University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Na Bangchang
K
K
Back
D J
DJ
Bunnag
D
D
Rooney
W
W
D000328:Adult; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015767:Mefloquine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012016:Reference Values; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013752:Tetracycline; D015767:Mefloquine