A pharmacokinetic comparison of controlled-release and standard naproxen tablets.

The single-dose (750 mg) pharmacokinetics of controlled-release and standard naproxen tablets were compared in a randomized crossover study in 12 healthy male volunteers. Plasma samples collected over the 60 hours after drug administration were assayed for naproxen concentrations using high pressure liquid chromatography. The controlled-release formulation produced a significantly (p less than 0.001) lower and later mean peak naproxen concentration than the conventional-release tablets. However, no differences were observed in either area under the plasma concentration-time curve or elimination half-life. The two formulations were judged, therefore, to be bioequivalent based on the total amount of drug absorbed.