Propoxyphene bioavailability: an evaluation of ten products

Ten commercial products containing 65 mg propoxyphene hydrochloride have been evaluated for their relative bioavailability in human subjects in a complete crossover study. No statistically significant (P greater than 0.05) differences were observed between the products in terms of plasma levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 12 hours after administration; peak plasma levels; time to achieve peak plasma level; and area under the plasma level-time curve. Individual subjects exhibited considerable differences in the propoxyphene plasma levels, which were similar to the variability observed by others. The average estimated half-life of 3.61 hours was consistent with previously reported values, although it may have underestimated the true value because the low plasma levels remaining after 12 hours were not quantitated.