The effects of omeprazole-induced hypochlorhydria on absorption of theophylline from a sustained-release formulation

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of raised intragastric pH on the absorption of theophylline from a sustained-release formulation. Six healthy male volunteers participated in the cross-over randomised study and on one of two occasions were pretreated with 240 mg omeprazole, administered in three divided doses over the 22 h preceding the test. The sulphasalazine/sulphapyridine method of assessing oral-caecal transit time was implemented in order to assess upper bowel and colonic absorption. The mean fraction absorbed-time profile was calculated from serial serum theophylline concentration measurements by a modification of the Wagner-Nelson equation. During hypochlorhydria the mean oral-caecal transit time was 4.6 h, mean time to 90% absorption 6.8 h, and the percentage theophylline presumably to be absorbed from the colon 32.3. The corresponding values with normochlorhydria were, respectively, 3.8 h, 8.5 h, and 57.5%. The shorter oral-caecal transit time and lesser upper bowel absorption during normochlorhydria is postulated to result from motilin release due to duodenal acidification. Gastric hypoacidity resulted in significantly increased cumulative fractions of theophylline absorbed during a 3.5 h period, starting 0.5 h after breakfast. Possibly hypochlorhydria amplifies the increased motility which follows the intake of a meal, resulting in increased peristalsis and antiperistalsis, with more rapid drug absorption.