Improving paracetamol absorption [oral tablets] by using metoclopramide [single dose]

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of improving the rate and extent paracetamol absorption [single oral dose] by increasing rate of gastric emptying by using metoclopramide. So [This makes] paracetamol moves more quickly to the duodenum, which is the preferable site of paracetamol absorption. The study was carried out in twelve healthy male volunteers [Crossover Study]. They were given single oral dose [500 mg paracetamol and 10 mg metoclopramide]. Paracetamol serum concentrations were analyzed by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by using modified Excel program. The determined parameters were C[max], T[max], AUC, relative F, T[1/2], K, Ka, T[1/2a] and MRT. The results showed improvement in extent of paracetamol absorption when it was given with metoclopramide [F=132 +/- 8%]. They showed also improvement in its absorption rate, which was reflected in decreasing T[max] from 1.333 +/- 0.246 hour to 0.75 hour. Increasing C[max] from 6.458 +/- 1.186 micro g/ml to 12.042 +/- 1.137 micro g/ml, increasing Ka from 1.250 +/- 0.254 to 3.133 +/- 0.250 and decreasing T[1/2a] from 0.581 +/- 0.115 to 0.220 +/- 0.018 hour, which lead to reduction in MRT from 4.467 +/- 0.525 to 3.306 +/- 0.593