Absorption differences of ciprofloxacin along the human gastrointestinal tract determined using a remote-control drug delivery device (HF-capsule).

The single-dose absorption kinetics of ciprofloxacin in different regions of the human gastrointestinal tract were investigated using a remote-control drug delivery device (HF-capsule). Doses of 180 to 200 mg ciprofloxacin (as a lactic acid solution) were placed in the HF-capsule and administered to four healthy male adults. The position of the HF-capsule in the gastrointestinal tract was checked via radiographic examination. The release of the solution from the HF-capsule was induced by a radio signal. In each volunteer, the solution was released into five different regions of the gastrointestinal tract: the stomach (B), jejunum (C1), ileum (C2), ascending colon (D1), and descending colon (D2). Two control runs (A1, A2), involving oral administration of the solution, were used as a reference for calculation of area under the curve. The oral administration of a conventional 250-mg tablet (A3) was also studied. The plasma concentration of ciprofloxacin and urine concentrations of ciprofloxacin, desethylene- (M1), sulfo- (M2), and oxociprofloxacin (M3) were determined fluorimetrically by high-performance liquid chromatography. Intraindividual comparisons indicated a progressive decrease in the amount of ciprofloxacin absorbed (100 percent = mean of AUCA1 and AUCA2) from the jejunum (-61 percent, median), ileum (-75 percent), colon ascendens (-90 percent), and colon descendens (-95 percent). Absolute amounts of renally excreted ciprofloxacin and metabolites decreased due to the reduced absorption of ciprofloxacin, but the metabolite pattern was unchanged. It is concluded that the main absorption site for ciprofloxacin is the upper part of the intestinal tract (duodenum, jejunum).