ABSORPTION OF THE STABLE PROSTACYCLIN ANALOG ILOPROST THROUGH THE ULCER BASE IN CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY

Iloprost, a stable prostacyclin analogue, is known to have beneficial effects on the disturbed microcirculation. To develop a topical applic ation for venous leg ulcers it is necessary to know the extent to whic h iloprost might be absorbed through the ulcer base. rhe aim of this s tudy was to measure the absorption kinetics of iloprost solutions in i ncreasing concentrations and doses (0-004% [15 mug]-0.006% [30 mug]) i n 23 patients. There was considerable variation amongst the patients i n the amount of iloprost absorbed. In 40% of patients no iloprost coul d be detected in the plasma, whereas in others up to 82% of the ilopro st applied was absorbed through the ulcer base. High iloprost plasma l evels provoked flushing in two patients. The highest plasma levels wer e always reached during the first hour after application. There was no direct relation between the ulcer size and the amount of iloprost abs orbed. Iloprost concentrations up to the highest concentration applied (0.006%) were well tolerated locally.