Correlation of phenylpropanolamine bioavailability with gastrointestinal transit by scintigraphic monitoring of 111In-labeled hydroxypropylmethylcellulose matrices.

Two controlled-release hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) matrix formulations, a single-unit and a multiple-unit system, have been evaluated in human volunteers. Both formulations contained the sympathomimetic drug phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride and each was radiolabeled with 111Inbound Amberlite IR 120 ion-exchange resin. The formulations were administered to each of six healthy male volunteers and gastrointestinal (GI) transit was monitored using a gamma camera. Serum samples were taken at set time intervals and assayed for phenylpropanolamine content, thus allowing blood drug levels to be correlated with the position of the dosage form in the GI tract. The multiple-unit system emptied from the stomach gradually over a period of about 180 min, when administered after a light breakfast, whereas the single-unit dosage forms had extremely variable gastric emptying times (range, 60 to greater than 570 min). However, both formulations provided prolonged phenylpropanolamine blood levels. The differences in the blood profiles obtained with the two formulations were attributed to variations in their in vitro release rates and not to any differences in their GI transit times.