Effect of erythromycin on ethanol's pharmacokinetics and perception of intoxication.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of erythromycin on ethanol's pharmacokinetics and perception of intoxication.


METHODS
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study.


METHODS
A clinical research center.


METHODS
Ten healthy volunteers.


METHODS
Erythromycin base 500 mg or identical placebo was administered 3 times/day for 7 days. On day 8, ethanol 0.8 g/kg was administered by mouth concurrently with erythromycin or placebo. A 2-week washout period was allowed between each treatment arm.


RESULTS
Twelve blood samples were obtained over a 12-hour period to determine ethanol concentrations. Perception of intoxication was determined at each time point using a 10-cm visual analog scale. Ethanol concentrations were determined using a gas chromatographic method. Mean +/- SD ethanol pharmacokinetics for erythromycin versus placebo were time to peak ethanol plasma concentrations 1.1 +/- 0.4 hours versus 1.3 +/- 0.3 hours, peak ethanol concentrations 118 +/- 18 mg/dl versus 114 +/- 27 mg/dl, ethanol oral clearance (CL/F) 2.9 +/- 0.8 ml/min/kg versus 3.4 +/- 2.2 ml/min/kg, and area under the curve 481 +/- 104 mg.hour/dl versus 465 +/- 132 mg.hour/dl (p > 0.05). The blood ethanol concentrations and perception of intoxication scores on a visual analog scale were well correlated (r2 = 0.78, p < 0.01). Mean +/- SD areas under the effect versus time curve were 35.1 +/- 20.7 cm/hour and 31.5 +/- 18.2 cm/hour for erythromycin and placebo, respectively (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Oral erythromycin base 1500 mg/day compared with placebo does not alter ethanol's pharmacokinetics or perception of intoxication in healthy volunteers.
Min
D I
DI
Division of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Noormohamed
S E
SE
Flanigan
M J
MJ
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000523:psychology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010465:Perception / Q000187:drug effects*
D000431:Ethanol; D004917:Erythromycin