Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of clavulanic acid in healthy subjects.

The bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of clavulanic acid were studied following oral solution and rapid intravenous administration to healthy volunteers. Plasma and urine samples were collected at frequent intervals following dose administration and were assayed for clavulanic acid by an enzyme inhibition method. Plasma data after intravenous administration were subjected to pharmacokinetic analysis using a two-compartment open model. The mean absolute bioavailability of clavulanic acid from oral solution was 0.75, derived from both urine and plasma data. No changes in the disposition pharmacokinetics of clavulanic acid with route were found, with a mean renal clearance of 0.1051 X min-1 and mean terminal elimination rate constant of 0.0134 min-1.