EFFECT OF CIMETIDINE, BICARBONATE AND GLUCOSE ON THE BIOAVAILABILITY OF DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS OF PRAZIQUANTEL

The effects of cimetidine, bicarbonate and glucose on the bioavailabil ity of the two brands of praziquantel (CAS 55268-74-1) available in Eg ypt were studied in normal healthy volunteers. Brand 1 when coadminist ered with cimetidine showed elevated concentration of the drug at all time intervals. The difference was statistically significant at 3, 4, 6 and 8 h following treatment. On the other hand coadministration of c imetidime with bland 2 (Distocide(R)) showed elevated concentration of the drug 1 h post treatment. Analysis of the pharmacokinetic paramete r revealed insignificant difference comparing brand 1 versus brand 1 p lus cimetidine. Significant differences were observed between the elim ination rare constant K-e (h(-1)) for brand 2 (0.017 +/- 0.004) alone versus brand 2 plus cimetidine (0.006 +/- 0.001). Coadminstration of b icarbonate or glucose with either brand 2 or brand 1 tended to depress the serum concentration of praziquantel. Possible explanations of the se findings are discussed