title: Effect of cimetidine, bicarbonate and glucose on the bioavailability of different formulations of praziquantel.
abstract: The effects of cimetidine, bicarbonate and glucose on the bioavailability of the two brands of praziquantel (CAS 55268-74-1) available in Egypt were studied in normal healthy volunteers. Brand 1 when coadministered with cimetidine showed elevated concentration of the drug at all time intervals. The difference was statistically significant at 3, 4, 6 and 8 h following treatment. On the other hand coadministration of cimetidine with brand 2 (Distocide) showed elevated concentration of the drug 1 h post treatment. Analysis of the pharmacokinetic parameters revealed insignificant difference comparing brand 1 versus brand 1 plus cimetidine. Significant differences were observed between the elimination rate constant Ke (h-1) for brand 2 (0.017 +/- 0.004) alone versus brand 2 plus cimetidine (0.006 +/- 0.001). Coadministration of bicarbonate or glucose with either brand 2 or brand 1 tended to depress the serum concentration of praziquantel. Possible explanations of these findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Metwally
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Botros
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ebeid
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001682:Biological Availability; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D011223:Praziquantel; D002927:Cimetidine; D005947:Glucose