Relative and absolute bioavailability of cibenzoline capsules and tablets in healthy subjects

Eighteen healthy adult volunteers completed an open-label, four-way crossover study designed to determine the bioequivalency of 160-mg cibenzoline [2-(2,2-diphenylcyclopropyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole] capsules and tablets, their relative bioavailability compared with an oral solution of the drug, as well as the absolute bioavailability of these dosage forms compared with an intravenous infusion of the drug. Blood samples obtained at specified times after drug administration were assayed for cibenzoline by HPLC, and pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated from the resulting plasma concentration-time profiles. Comparisons were made between the tablet and capsule to assess bioequivalency, between the solid dosage forms and a solution to assess relative bioavailability, and between the oral forms and an intravenous infusion to assess absolute bioavailability. The pharmacokinetic parameters for each oral dosage form were similar and ratios of mean parameters indicated that the solid dosage forms were bioequivalent and completely bioavailable relative to an oral solution. The ratios of the area under the plasma concentration-time profiles (AUC) for the capsule, tablet, and oral solution to that of the intravenous infusion were 0.85, 0.83, and 0.86, respectively, indicating that orally administered cibenzoline has an absolute bioavailability of approximately 85%.