Antipyrine repeatability and comparison of the powder and capsule formulations

Twelve healthy subjects (6 females), who were drug-free and non alcoholic, age 21-40 years and weight 43-80 kg took part in the study which lasted about 4 weeks. The subjects were randomly assigned into 2 panels (of 6 subjects each) and took antipyrine (1,050 mg) orally either as powder made into solution or gelatin capsules on 3 consecutive trial occasions separated by 2-week intervals. Panel A had powder, powder and capsule formulations on trials 1, 2 and 3, respectively, and panel B had capsule, capsule and powder formulations on trials 1, 2 and 3, respectively. There were no significant differences in the saliva pharmacokinetic parameters of antipyrine in the 3 trials for both panels of subjects, except the half-lives in panel B which was significantly different at the 5% level. There were no significant differences in the amounts of antipyrine and its metabolites excreted in urine in the 3 trials. The saliva concentrations of antipyrine in the 3 trials were relatively comparable. The relative bioavailability of the capsule formulation of antipyrine was 97%. This study shows that the saliva pharmacokinetic parameters of antipyrine and the amounts of antipyrine metabolites excreted in urine are highly reproducible following repeated oral administration, either in solution or as capsules. The capsule formulation is fully bioavailable and should be suitable for oral administration in assessing the influence of drugs and environmental factors on antipyrine metabolism.