NO EFFECT OF HIGH-PROTEIN FOOD ON THE STEREOSELECTIVE BIOAVAILABILITYAND PHARMACOKINETICS OF VERAPAMIL

The effects of high-protein food on the bioavailability of both the ra cemate and individual enantiomers of verapamil were investigated in 12 healthy volunteers using a randomized crossover design. Food had no e ffect on any parameter of bioavailability for both the racemate and th e individual enantiomers of verapamil except time to maximum concentra tion (t(max)), which was significantly prolonged after food intake. Th e pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of norverapamil were not signifi cantly changed by food intake. These results suggest that high-protein food does not alter the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of eithe r the racemate or the individual enantiomers of verapamil. Therefore, the clinical efficacy of verapamil is not related to food intake, exce pt for a slight prolongation in the time to onset of the pharmacologic effects. The present data con be applied to the high-protein content meal intake.