Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of different formulations of pirenzepine

An intraindividual comparative single-dose study was carried out under carefully controlled conditions on 12 healthy volunteers in order to establish the bioavailability of 5,11-dihydro-11-[(4-methyl-piperazin-1- -yl)acetyl]-6H-pyrido[2,3b][1,4]benzodiazepin-6-one dihydrochloride (pirenzepine), the active principle of newly developed tablets (Gastricur) and suspension containing 10 mg. In an additional multiple dose, cross-over study on 12 healthy volunteers, the bioequivalence of pirenzepine was investigated after administration of the newly developed vs. commercial dose-equivalent tablets. Pirenzepine was assayed from plasma by a new, highly sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method. A 3-compartment model was taken as a basis for the calculation of the plasma concentration curves and the pharmacokinetic parameters. Following i.v. administration, the terminal elimination half-life, t 1/2, the volume of distribution, V1, and the total plasma clearance Cl were determined to be 7.7 +/- 1.4 h, 0.255 +/- 0.057 l/kg and 263.4 +/- 56.8 ml/min, respectively. From the tablet and suspension formulation the systemic availabilities were calculated to be 33.5% and 20.3%, respectively. In the multiple dose study, both tablet forms investigated were bioequivalent.