[Postprandial delay of drug absorption in a gitoformate model]

Oral absorption of gitoformate (Dynocard), a non-renal-dependent cardiac glycoside, was investigated in 8 healthy subjects aged 23-45 years. Plasma concentration-time profiles were obtained once following a 12-h period of fasting, then after intake of a standard high protein meal. The half-life of absorption t1/2a, Cmax and tmax, half-life of elimination t1/2z, and area under the curve (AUC) were compared to evaluate the influence on the bioavailability of gitoformate. t1/2a in the fasting condition (0.36 +/- 0.43 h) is increased when gitoformate is applied after a high protein meal 1.12 +/- 1.12 h). Correspondingly, fasting maximum concentrations are already achieved after 1.4 +/- 1.2 h, but only after 4.8 +/- 1.8 h following the intake of a standard meal. Comparison of AUC (0-168 h) showed that the bioavailability was reduced by 25% after meals.