Propantheline bromide plasma level, urinary excretion and pharmacological data in a comparison of the bioavailability of three oral formulations of Pro-Banthine

Abstract
To determine the comparative bioavailability of three oral formulations of propantheline bromide (PB) by both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters, six normal men received three standard Pro-Banthine 15 mg tablets, two prolonged acting (PA) Pro-Banthine 30 mg tablets or one developmental PA Pro-Banthine 45 mg capsule, in a study of balanced random crossover design. Plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of the unchanged drug were measured after each treatment using a stable isotope dilution assay. Salivary secretion rate and heart rate measurements were also made at intervals after each medication. The standard Pro-Banthine formulation was significantly more bioavailable, weight for weight, than either the developmental PA capsule (45 mg), p<0.05, or the two 30 mg PA tablets (60 mg), p<0.01, based on urinary excretion and plasma levels of PB and on salivary secretion and heart rate data. There was no evidence of significant prolonged action for the PA formulations.