Absence of effect of food on alprazolam absorption from sustained release tablets

This study examined the effect of food on alprazolam absorption from a mixed polymeric matrix sustained release (SR) tablet in 21 healthy adults. Each subject received each of three treatments according to a crossover design: 1 mg alprazolam SR tablet while fasting; 1 mg alprazolam SR tablet immediately after a standardized breakfast; 1 mg alprazolam conventional tablet while fasting. The breakfast contained approximately 33 g protein, 55 g fat, and 58 g carbohydrate (850 calories). Serial blood samples were obtained and plasma alprazolam levels determined by HPLC. Results indicate that the SR tablet was minimally affected by food. Relative bioavailabilities of the SR tablet while fasting and with food were 100 per cent and 97 per cent, respectively. Although statistically significant, differences in mean Cmax values between SR tablets administered with and without food were small (12 per cent increase with food). Rates of absorption as measured by mean tmax values were also nearly the same: 7.2 h while fasting and 7.0 h with food. Absorption was relatively uniform with the SR tablets. Coefficients of variation for Cmax, tmax, and AUC were somewhat smaller with the SR tablet than with the conventional tablet.