ABSENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL ABSORPTION OR URINARY-EXCRETION OF ALUMINUM FROM AN ALLANTOINATE COMPLEX CONTAINED IN 2 ANTACID FORMULATIONS INPATIENTS WITH NORMAL RENAL-FUNCTION

We studied the plasma and urinary excretion levels of aluminum (Al) on day 0, 10 and 30 in 79 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and no rmal renal function who were receiving a complex based on Al allantoin ates [C4H5N4 O-3 Al (OH)(2)] and [C4H5N4 O-3 Cl Al-2 (OH)(4)]. We eval uated the extent of Al absorption after repeated administration of thi s complex in two antacid formulations, Ulfon Lyoc(R) in lyophilised ta blet form (group 1; n = 40) and Ulfon(R) suspension (group 2; n = 39). The total Al load for each antacid and patient was 512 mg daily for a total of 15360 mg during the 30-day treatment. No significant rise in plasma Al concentration was noted with either formulation between day 0 and 10, day 0 and 30 or day 10 and 30, nor was there any significan t increase in urinary excretion levels. Al absorption was not increase d and no toxic effects were noted, indicating that such formulations a re suitable for long-term therapy in patients with gastrointestinal sy mptoms.