title: Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of ergoloid mesylates.
abstract: The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of ergoloid mesylates following single administrations of various dose levels (3-9 mg), dosage forms (oral swallow and sublingual tablets, solution) and under different dosing conditions (fasted, with meal) were studied in young healthy volunteers. Male and female subjects showed a similar rate and extent of bioavailable ergoloid after drug treatment. The absorption of ergoloid using either the tablet dosage forms or the drug administered as a solution was rapid, with peak levels of about 60-80 pg ml-1 mg-1 dose achieved after 0.6 to 1.3 h. The elimination half-life for ergoloid in plasma was 2-5 h. Administration of drug with food had no effect on the extent of absorption (AUC) but lowered the absorption rate. This resulted in a reduction of (by 25 per cent) and delay in (by 1 h) achieving peak levels (Cmax). Increasing the ergoloid dose caused a proportional increase in the AUC, but a smaller than proportional increase for Cmax. The tablet formulations provided similar AUCs as the solution; the objective of the sublingual tablet formulation to provide improved bioavailability over the swallow tablet via circumvention of first-pass metabolism was therefore not realized. Transient decreases in blood pressure after ergoloid treatment paralleled the plasma level profiles. Higher ergoloid levels were paired with the larger pressure decreases.
authors.affiliation: Drug Safety and Metabolism Division, Sandoz Research Institute, East Hanover, New Jersey 07936.
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Schran
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lehr
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001682:Biological Availability; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D004876:Ergot Alkaloids