ASCOLONG - A NEW BUCCAL DOSAGE FORM OF AC ETYLSALICYLIC-ACID TO BE USED AS ANTIAGGREGANT

Aim. Study of the tolerance and pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic ch aracteristics of ascolong, a new buccal dosage form of aspirin contain ing a very low dose of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA): 12.5 mg. Materials and Methods. The study was carried out in 43 healthy men (assessment o f the drug tolerance) and 19 male patients with coronary disease or ce rebrovascular disorders. In 10 patients the antiaggregant efficacy of ascolong administered once or regularly (for 2 weeks) in a dose of 12. 5 mg was compared with placebo, in 9 patients a random cross study of 2-week courses of ascolong and Russian aspirin tablets in a dose of 10 0 mg was carried out. Platelet aggregation was assessed on days 1 and 14 of each course before and 2, 4, and 24 h after the drug intake. Res ults. Ascolong containing a very low dose of ASA exerts a reliable ant iaggregant effect after a single and regular intake, although this eff ect is less manifest than after aspirin tablets. Profiles of ASA conce ntrations in the blood were studied. Transbuccal entry of ASA in syste mic circulation decelerated its metabolism into a less active metaboli te, salicylic acid, due to which fact the ASA microdose had an express ed antiaggregant effect. The drug was sufficiently well tolerated. Con clusion. The new buccal film form of aspirin containing a very low clo se of ASA possesses a good antiaggregant effect and is promising in su bjects with contraindications to oral intake of aspirin.