[Preliminary report on the blood levels of Flurazepam administered in two different pharmaceutical formulations].

Flurazepam (15 mg) was administered to 4 beagles in solution and in capsules. Blood levels of unchanged Flurazepam were measured by GLC using an electron capture detector. In the case of solution blood levels were measurable over a 2 hour period with the peak at 30 min in all dogs. In the case of capsules these levels were measurable in only one dog, which also showed the highest blood levels with the solution. Flurazepam is a drug which is rapidly metabolized into a series of metabolites. In the case of capsules the metabolization rate is more rapid than the enteral absorption rate, and consequently the blood levels of the unchanged drug are hardly measurable. The administration of Flurazepam in solution allows a more rapid enteral absorption rate and consequently the levels of the unchanged drug are measurable over a 2 hour period.