In vitro and in vivo availability of spironolactone from oral dosage forms

Tablet formulations of spironolactone with hydrochlorothiazide were studied in vitro and in vivo to evaluate the effect of formulation parameters on the bioavailability of spironolactone. The time required for 50% tablet dissolution (T50) in simulated gastric fluid was linearly correlated with the disintegration times of four experimental formulations and one commercial tablet of spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide. Bioavailability studies were conducted in four healthy, female beagle dogs. The mean time to peak concentration of canrenone,f cancrenone, the major metabolite of spironolactone, was proportional to the T50 dissolution parameter. A study of spironolactone administered orally with and without hydrochlorothiazide showed that the bioavailability of spironolactone is not affected by hydrochlorothiazide. No significant difference in the bioavailability of spironolactone from one 100-mg and four 25-mg tablets were observed. Estimates of some pharmacokinetic parameters for canrenone closely agreed with those previously reported.