PHARMACOKINETICS OF ORAL RANITIDINE IN MEXICANS

The pharmacokinetics of oral ranitidine were studied in 24 Mexican mal e healthy volunteers. Subjects received a tablet containing 150 mg of ranitidine (Azantac(TM), Glare de Mexico, Mexico City) after an overni ght fast and blood samples were drawn at several times for a period of 24 h. Ranitidine concentration in plasma was measured by high perform ance liquid chromatography and pharmacokinetic parameters were determi ned by non-compartmental analysis. Ranitidine plasma concentration inc reased with time, reaching a maximum of (mean +/- SEM) 484 +/- 34 ng/m l in 2.7 +/- 0.2 h. plasma levels then decayed with a terminal half-li fe of 4.8 +/- 0.3 h. The area under the plasma concentration against t ime curve was 2440 +/- 126 ngh/ml. Oral ranitidine pharmacokinetic par ameters in Mexicans appeared to be similar to those previously reporte d for Caucasians.