PHARMACOKINETICS OF PANTOPRAZOLE FOLLOWING SINGLE INTRAVENOUS AND ORAL-ADMINISTRATION TO HEALTHY MALE-SUBJECTS

The plasma pharmacokinetics of pantoprazole have been investigated fol lowing single intravenous infusion and single oral administration at a dose of 40 mg to 12 healthy male subjects in a randomised cross-over study. Both treatments were generally well tolerated and no relevant c ompound-related adverse events were noted. The plasma pharmacokinetics of pantoprazole following intravenous infusion in this group of subje cts were characterised by a total plasma clearance of 0.13 l.h-1.kg-1 and apparent terminal elimination half-life 1.9 h. The apparent volume of distribution estimated at steady state (0.17 l.kg-1) was compatibl e with the localization of a major fraction of the compound in extrace llular water. Following oral administration as an enteric-coated table t formulation, a variable onset of absorption was followed by rapid at tainment of maximum plasma concentrations of pantoprazole. Pantoprazol e was well absorbed following oral administration; the absolute system ic bioavailability of the compound was estimated as 77% (95% CI, 67 to 89%).