title: Pharmacokinetics of oxiracetam following intravenous and oral administration in healthy volunteers.
abstract: The kinetics of oxiracetam after single intravenous and oral doses (2000 mg) were investigated in four healthy volunteers. Following intravenous administration, the decline in serum levels showed a prolonged, rapid phase followed by a delayed terminal phase. Mean residence times ranged from 3.9 to 6.5 h. Volumes of distribution ranged from 0.9 to 1.81 X kg-1, whereas clearance values ranged from 100 to 119 ml X h-1 X kg-1 More than 90% of the intravenous dose was recovered unchanged in the urine within 48 h. Oral administration resulted in peak levels within 1-2 h; thereafter, the decline in serum levels showed a pattern similar to that observed after the intravenous dose--almost 50% of the oral dose was excreted in the urine within 6 h. The absolute availability of oral oxiracetam was 75 +/- 7%.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D011759:Pyrrolidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011759:Pyrrolidines; C040619:oxiracetam