Study on rectal administration of azithromycin by suppository for pediatric use.

OBJECTIVE: Azithromycin (AZM) is widely used as a first-line treatment option for children with mycoplasma pneumonia. Although pharmacists perform medication counseling in the pediatric ward, children often experience vomiting as a result of oral AZM administration. Drugs that are administered rectally are generally considered to enter the circulation system without passing through the liver first. The aim of our study was to prepare an AZM suppository and investigate the pharmaceutical properties and well as pharmacokinetics of the rectal administration route in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. All subjects provided written informed consent before participating in the study. Subjects were randomly assigned to either oral administration of oral AZM 500-mg tablet or rectal administration of 125-mg, 250-mg, or 500-mg AZM suppository. Blood samples for preparation of serum were collected predose as well as at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours following the first rectal dose. Serum concentrations of AZM were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The bioavailability of the AZM suppository through rectal administration was 20.3% compared to oral administration. We hypothesize that the surface area where AZM is absorbed also affects the absorption by rectal administration. Although further investigation is necessary to improve the absorption of AZM by the rectum and to ensure safety in children, the AZM suppository may be an effective preparation in cases where oral administration is not tolerated.

Effects of intracerebroventricular administration of 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin in a patient with Niemann-Pick Type C disease.

Niemann-Pick Type C disease (NPC) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder characterized by progressive neurological deterioration. Previously, we reported that intravenous administration of 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HPB-CD) in two patients with NPC had only partial and transient beneficial effects on neurological function. The most likely reason for HPB-CD not significantly improving the neurological deficits of NPC is its inability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Herein, we describe the effects of intrathecal HPB-CD in an eight-year-old patient with a perinatal onset of NPC, administered initially at a dose of 10 mg/kg every other week and increased up to 10 mg/kg twice a week. Clinically, the patient maintained residual neurological functions for two years, at which time nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed a decreased choline to creatine ratio and increased N-acetylaspartate to creatine ratio, and positron emission tomography revealed increased standardized uptake values. Total-tau in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was also decreased after two years. No adverse effects were observed over the course of treatment. The CSF concentrations of HPB-CD during the distribution phase after the injections were comparable with those at which HPB-CD could normalize cellular cholesterol abnormality in vitro. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms of action of HPB-CD in NPC, and to determine the optimal dose and intervals of HPB-CD injection.