Erythromycin absorption in healthy volunteers from single and multiple doses of enteric-coated pellets and tablets.
The absorption of erythromycin from two different enteric-coated preparations was evaluated in three groups of healthy volunteers. After a single dose, taken after an overnight fast, absorption was significantly better from enteric-coated pellets than from tablets; both the mean peak serum concentration and the peak mean level were higher (p less than 0.01) in all three groups, and the mean area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC) was at least 65% larger. Eight out of 23 subjects showed no or only a very low serum concentration after the enteric-coated tablets. In a follow-up study, 250 mg doses were given 6-hourly for 3 days, and again the mean maximum serum concentration was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) after the pellets. In conclusion, enteric-coated pellets led to more regular and predictable absorption of erythromycin than did coated tablets.
D000328:Adult; D002214:Capsules; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated
D002214:Capsules; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D004917:Erythromycin