A pilot study of the disposition of pilocarpine in plasma, saliva and urine after a single oral dose

Concentrations of pilocarpine in plasma, saliva and urine from three health y male volunteers were measured using a fluorescence derivatisation method, following administration of a single 10 mg oral dose. Pharmacokinetic para meter values were estimated from concentration-time profiles. Linear correl ations between plasma and saliva pilocarpine concentrations (r(2)=0.945, n= 10, p<0.001; r(2)=0.954, n=12, p<0.001) and plasma concentrations and saliv ation rate (r(2)=0.863, n=12, p<0.001; r(2)=0.862, n=15, p<0.001) were esta blished. Pilocarpine and an unidentified metabolite, respectively 20.3% and 34.7% of the oral dose, were excreted into urine. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scienc e BN. All rights reserved.