Effect of food and an antacid on quinidine bioavailability

Two 200 mg quinidine sulfate tablets were administered to nine healthy male subjects in the fasting state, immediately after a balanced meal, and with 30 ml of aluminum hydroxide gel using a complete crossover design. Serum and urine samples were taken over 32 and 60 h, respectively. Quinidine concentrations were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography assay specific for quinidine. Computer fitting of the data to several models indicated that a one-compartment model with zero-order absorption and a lag time best fit all the data. Quinidine elimination and urine pH were unaffected by the study conditions. While the maximum serum concentration (Cmax) and area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC) were unaffected by administration of quinidine with food or antacid, there was a 44 per cent increase (p less than 0.10) in time to Cmax (tmax) following quinidine administration with food. Thus, while the extent of quinidine absorption was unaffected by food or the antacid used, the rate of quinidine absorption was significantly reduced by food as reported earlier.