The effect of buffering on oxyphenbutazone absorption kinetics and systemic availability

A systemic availability study comparing an investigational buffered tablet formulation of oxyphenbutazone and a commercially available product, the efficacy of which has been well established by usage, is reported. The experiment was designed to dissociate formulation factors from all other sources of variation including differences between subjects, sexes, sequences of administration, experimental periods, as well as sex by sequence, sex by period, and sex by formulation interactions. Systemic availability was assessed by conventional pharmacokinetic techniques. Results show that buffering of a tablet formulation consistently increased the rate and degree of absorption. Although the relative magnitude of bioavailability indicators is slightly different according to the method of calculation, the estimates are always higher with the buffered formulation. No statistical difference was observed for plasma concentration-time profiles between sexes. The wide range of observed concentrations over the time interval of this study confirms other reports of individual variations in handling oxyphenbutazone. The differences noted between the two formulations may be attributed to faster dissolution rate characteristics and better dispersion of oxyphenbutazone. Some aspects of the clinical relevance of this situation are discussed briefly.