Liberation of lithium from sustained release preparations. A comparison of seven registered brands.
We investigated the rate of release of seven commercial lithium preparations designated as sustained-release preparations and available in Europe and the USA. The examined products release lithium completely within four hours. The rate of liberation from three drugs resembles that of nonsustained-release preparations, three of which were tested under the same conditions. In one case, the comparison between two batches of sustained-release preparations reveals marked differences in quality. Physicians should be aware that some drugs available on the market and designated as sustained-release preparations do not comply with the international standard for this type of formulation.
Heim
W
W
Biochemistry, Pharmacy and Food Chemistry Division, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Oelschläger
H
H
Kreuter
J
J
Müller-Oerlinghausen
B
B
D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019342:Acetic Acid; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013431:Sulfates / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000085:Acetates; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D013431:Sulfates; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; C054097:lithium sulfate; D008094:Lithium; C016539:lithium orotate; D019342:Acetic Acid