Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of diltiazem in rats: comparing single vs repeated subcutaneous injections in vivo.
The objective of the study was to determine the effect of repeated administration on the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of diltiazem (DTZ) using an in vivo rat model. Male SD rats (n = 6-10 per group) weighing 350-450 g were used. Each rat received either a single 20 mg/kg dose of DTZ by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection or 5 mg/kg s.c. twice daily for five doses. Plasma concentrations of DTZ and its major metabolites were determined by HPLC for up to 8 h. Compared with the single dose, repeated administration resulted in higher dose normalized plasma concentrations of DTZ (AUC 26.4+/-14.2 vs 13.9+/-11.5 microg-h/ml), longer apparent half-life (t(1/2) = 12.5+/-14.6 vs 3.7+/-1.4 h) and lower systemic clearance (CL = 1.1+/-1.0 vs 2.9+/-2.7 l/h/kg). Higher dose normalized plasma concentrations, longer t(max), but shorter apparent t(1/2) of the major metabolites were observed following the repeated administration. The results also suggest that possible binding of DTZ may occur at the site of injection when administered subcutaneously in the higher dose.
Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Department of Medicine, Faculties of Health Professions and Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3J5. Pollen.Yeung@Dal.Ca
Pollen K F
PK
Yeung
Angelita
A
Alcos
Jinglan
J
Tang
Ban
B
Tsui
D000818:Animals; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D004110:Diltiazem