title: Pharmacokinetics and rectal bioavailability of hydrocortisone acetate.
abstract: The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of hydrocortisone after rectal administration of a hydrocortisone acetate foam was determined. Endogenous hydrocortisone was suppressed by dexamethasone administration. Plasma levels were compared with those observed after iv and oral administration. Only a very small part of the rectal dose (100 mg) was absorbed; the mean absolute bioavailability was 2%. There was substantial intersubject variability. Maximum hydrocortisone levels were reached after 2 h and averaged 35 ng/mL. These levels were 10-fold lower than those obtained after oral administration of a fivefold lower dose (20 mg) of hydrocortisone in the same subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Möllmann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barth
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Möllmann
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tunn
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krieg
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Derendorf
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001682:Biological Availability; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D012007:Rectum / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; C021650:hydrocortisone acetate; D006854:Hydrocortisone