The relationship between gastric emptying of semisolids and paracetamol absorption.

The relationship between gastric emptying rate of semisolid Tc-99m labelled Chelex-100 resin/oatmeal and paracetamol absorption was determined simultaneously in seven healthy volunteers. There was no significant correlation between the half-time of gastric emptying and the time of the peak serum paracetamol concentration. There was no significant correlation between the area under the serum paracetamol concentrations at 60 and 90 min and the % meal emptied in 60 and 90 min respectively. Three subjects showed a lag phase in gastric emptying pattern, while the other four showed the emptying curves without evidence of a delayed phase of emptying. Individual values of gastric emptying determined by the methods varied widely.