ISSN:
1365-2036
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
The hydrocortisone pharmacokinetic profiles of hydrocortisone acetate foam (Proctocort) administered rectally was assessed in healthy volunteers and patients with ulcerative colitis or X-irradiation colitis. Endogenous production of hydrocortisone was suppressed by dexamethasone. Comparison of these data with those obtained after intravenous administration enabled assessment of absolute bioavailability, which was 30.0 ± 15.1% in healthy volunteers vs. 16.4 ± 14.8% in patients (P= 0.09). Maximal concentrations of hydrocortisone were also decreased in patients, 277 ± 215 nmol/L vs. 610 ± 334 mmol/L (P= 0.03). There was a nonsignificant tendency to faster absorption of hydrocortisone in patients vs. healthy volunteers, as the times to peak concentration were, respectively, 2.5 ± 1.2 h vs. 2.8 ± 0.8 h (P= 0.64), and the mean absorption times were 1.96 ± 1.45 h vs. 2.54 ± 1.62 h (P= 0.46). Thus, rectal inflammation resulted in a lower absorption of hydrocortisone. In addition systemic plasma levels remained in the physiological range, so that only minor side effects are to be expected.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.1992.tb00056.x
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