Human plasma and skin blister fluid levels of griseofulvin following a single oral dose.

Griseofulvin and 6-demethylgriseofulvin (6-DMG) in plasma, suction blister fluid (SBF) and cantharides blister fluid (CBF) and urinary excretion of 6-DMG, were evaluated following administration of single oral doses of an ultramicrosize and a microsize formulation of griseofulvin to 6 healthy volunteers. The bioavailability of griseofulvin was higher following the ultramicrosize formulation when 64% of the dose was recovered (via metabolites) versus 52% after the microsize preparation. Penetration into skin blister fluid was delayed as compared to plasma levels; the peak concentration in plasma was observed at 3-4 h, whereas griseofulvin in CBF increased up to 6 h. The terminal half-live was calculated from plasma levels to 9.3 h. The half-lives calculated from SBF and CBF concentrations were 9.2 and 9.8 h, respectively, (n = 5). In plasma 84% of griseofulvin was bound to proteins, predominantly to albumin; binding in SBF and CBF was 72 and 82%, respectively. 3 h after drug administration the free concentration in plasma significantly exceeded the free concentrations in SBF and CBF. Distribution equilibrium between plasma and skin blister fluid was observed after 27 h. Thus, during chronic administration, the plasma griseofulvin level should reflect its concentration in the target organ.