SHORT REPORT - THE ABSORPTION OF FLUCONAZOLE AND ITRACONAZOLE UNDER CONDITIONS OF LOW INTRAGASTRIC ACIDITY

The study investigated the oral absorption of two antifungal agents, f luconazole and itraconazole, under conditions of low intragastric acid ity. Twelve healthy male volunteers received each of 4 dosing regimens : 200 mg itraconazole alone, 200 mg itraconazole and famotidine, 100 m g fluconazole alone, and 100 mg fluconazole and famotidine. Two oral d oses of 40 mg famotidine were used to induce hypochlorhydria. Serum dr ug concentrations were measured (by high pressure liquid chromatograph y) for 48 h after a single dose of each anti-fungal agent. When dosed with famotidine, there was a significant 52.9% decrease of the peak in traconazole concentration (P < 0.011), and a significant 51.1% decreas e of the 4 8-h integrated serum intraconazole concentration (P = 0.005 ). Famotidine-induced hypochlorhydria did not affect the absorption of fluconazole.