Absolute bioavailability of quinidine in two sustained release preparations

The bioavailability of quinidine in two sustained release preparations A and B has been compared in three females and three males with i.v. administration of quinidine. The initial rate of oral absorption did not differ between the two drug preparations; the peak concentration was observed after 4 h both for A and B, but was significantly higher after B. A slower decrease in plasma concentration was observed after preparation A than B. Absolute bioavailability did not differ significantly between A (median values 78.4%) and B (median 87.1%). Drug absorption in vivo was in good agreement with the results of in vitro dissolution tests on both preparations. The slower decrease in plasma concentration found for the new sustained release form of quinidine should be of clinical advantage.