In-Vitro Adsorption of Fluoroquinolones on Some Pharmaceutical Adsorbents

PURPOSE: Drug overdose and poisoning are common clinical problems and could occur with the fluoroquinolones -a new series of synthetic antimicrobial agents. It therefore becomes important to study the adsorption of the fluoroquinolones on pharmaceutical adsorbents which could serve as possible antidotes for the emergency treatment of fluoroquinolone overdose or poisoning when they occur. METHOD: The rate and extent of adsorption of the fluoroquinolones on some pharmaceutical adsorbents; namely activated charcoal; kaolin and bentonite were investigated spectrophotometrically RESULTS: The fluoroquinolones adsorbed on activated charcoal rapidly and attained equilibrium within fifteen minutes. The fluoroquinolones however adsorbed on kaolin and bentonite less rapidly and attained equilibrium within two hours. Activated charcoal and bentonite had high adsorption capacities for the fluoroquinolones while kaolin had low adsorption capacities for them. CONCLUSION: Because of the rapid rate of adsorption and high binding capacities exhibited by activated charcoal for the fluoroquinolones; it could be an effective antidote for the fluoroquinolones in cases of overdose or poisoning. Activated charcoal has shown a superior behaviour to both bentonite and kaolin in the adsorption of the fluoroquinolones

Adsorptive Property of Kaolin in some Drug Formulations

PURPOSE: Kaolin is a known adsorbent; has lubricant property in powders and is therefore proposed as a lubricant in tablet formulations. This study was carried out to evaluate whether kaolin can adsorb some active drugs when mixed with them in tablet formulations even at very low concentrations. METHOD: Chloroquine and chlorpheniramine tablets were formulated with powder mixtures containing various concentrations of kaolin. The effect of kaolin on the physical properties of the tablets were examined and compared with those of standard lubricants like magnesium stearate and talc. Chloroquine and chlorpheniramine tablets and powders of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid oral powder and ampicillin/cloxacillin injection were also mixed with and without various concentrations of kaolin in water. Chemical assay of the drugs in the solutions were determined over time. RESULTS: Kaolin significantly reduced the amount of each of the drugs in the solutions containing kaolin. CONCLUSION: Kaolin reduces the amount of some drugs when incorporated in drug formulations. Therefore; its inclusion in such drug formulations should not be encouraged