[Experimental studies on absorption, distribution and excretion of fosfomycin. I. Absorption distribution and excretion of fosfomycin calcium salt (author's transl)].

In order to develop some oral drug preparations containing calcium salt of fosfomycin ((minus)-cis-1,2-epoxypropylphosphonic acid) which is a new antibiotic, the absorption, distribution and excretion were studied when it was administered orally to fasted test animals such as rats, rabbits and dogs. The results are as follows: 1) In the case of rats, the more dose size was increased, the more ratio of excretion in urine as index of gastrointestinal absorption was reduced and ratio of excretion in stools was adversely increased, which suggested a decrease in absorption efficiency. But, as absolute amount of excretion in urine became larger with dose size, it was considered that increase in dose size would serve for elevation of serum levels. 2) When the calcium salt was given to rats and rabbits in form of solution and suspension, the former was more eminent than the latter regarding to absorption efficiency, as generally known. The solution, however, needed relatively large quantity of water to solubilize the calcium salt, and it was not considered that the absorption efficiency depends on only dissolution step or dissolution rate. 3) Difference of the particle size varying from 1.50 mu(bulk particle size) and 0.64 mu(mechanical limit size) measured by Kozeny-Carman method did not affect on the absorption in rats and dogs. So it was considered that the bulk could be use directly without micronizing in manufacturing process for the oral preparations. 4) There were some differences of absorption among the animal species. Good absorption was shown in turn in rats, dogs and rabbits. These differences might depend not only on physiological factors but also anatomical differences such as length of gastrointestinal tract. 5) In rabbits high concentration was observed successively in kidney, lung, heart and so on. In any organ its level decreased similarly to the serum level, not sustaining its initial high concentration. The calcium salt did not possess any affinity to certain organs. 6) In conclusion, though some differences of gastrointestinal absorption were observed among the animal species, fosfomycin calcium salt was well absorbed without problem of micronizing the bulk particles. Moreover, it was perceived that fosfomycin calcium salt, once distributed, would not remain in particular organs, being excreted out of body.