title: Gastrointestinal transit of model mini-tablet controlled release oral dosage forms in fasted human volunteers.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the gastrointestinal transit of multiple unit, small diameter (3.2 mm), non-disintegrating tablets of differing densities with results previously reported in the same volunteers in the fasted state for larger diameter (6.6 and 12.2 mm) tablets. The gastrointestinal transit was observed with gamma-scintigraphy at various intervals over a 9-h period to give an accurate assessment of the transit characteristics. The value for the median emptying time of the first light tablet was significantly shorter than that for the dense tablet, but the total emptying time and the time for the last tablet to empty for both sets of tablets were not statistically different. The value of the median time for initial and final emptying of the small tablets from the stomach was significantly longer than that for the larger diameter tablets. The 9-h time limit of the observations limited the estimation of the time taken to enter the caecum and consequently the small intestine transit times. There was clear evidence that for the dense tablets of all sizes, the value for the small intestine transit time was longer than the 3-4 h reported in the literature. The only tablet system to enter the caecum within the time limit of the study was the normal density 12.2-mm tablets.
authors.affiliation: School of Health, Natural and Social Sciences, Pasteur Building, Sunderland University, City Centre Campus, Warncliffe Street, Sunderland SR1 3SD, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Podczeck
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Course
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Short
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005215:Fasting; D005746:Gastric Emptying; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D006801:Humans; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013046:Specific Gravity; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013607:Tablets; D013667:Technetium
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D013607:Tablets; D013667:Technetium