Absorption characteristics of three phenytoin sodium products after administration of oral loading doses

The absorption characteristics of three phenytoin sodium products given orally as loading doses in five healthy men were studied. Extended phenytoin sodium capsules, prompt phenytoin sodium capsules, and phenytoin sodium injection were administered in a randomized, crossover trial as single 18-mg/kg doses and as divided doses of 6 mg/kg every three hours for three doses. Each dose was given with 200 ml of water, and a two-week washout period followed each treatment. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), time to reach maximum plasma concentration, time to reach the lower end (10 mg/liter) of the therapeutic range, time to reach a plasma concentration greater than 15 mg/liter, and time within the therapeutic range were determined for each loading-dose regimen. Prompt phenytoin sodium capsules (prompt PHT) given in divided doses produced a mean Cmax of 22.0 mg/liter, which was significantly higher than that observed with any of the other loading-dose regimens. In addition, all subjects receiving prompt PHT in divided doses had plasma phenytoin concentrations of 10 mg/liter within six hours; only this treatment produced plasma concentrations greater than 15 mg/liter at nine hours in all subjects. Plasma concentrations remained within the therapeutic range (10-20 mg/liter) for 81 and 78% of the first 24-hour period for prompt PHT in divided and single doses, respectively. Adverse effects were minimal in all regimens. The prompt-release phenytoin sodium capsules used in this study may provide an alternative means for rapidly achieving therapeutic phenytoin concentrations in situations where i.v. administration is not indicated or practical.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)