The bioavailability of ofloxacin from several formulations.

The bioavailability of ofloxacin after a single dose of one of two tablet formulations (200 or 400 mg) or a liquid formulation (1.67 mg/ml) was investigated in 24 healthy male volunteers in an open randomized, crossover design study with a 5-day wash-out period between doses. Plasma concentrations of ofloxacin were determined at various times after administration by a sensitive and specific High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method. Ofloxacin was well absorbed after each administration, although somewhat more slowly after the tablet formulations than the solution. Mean AUC values of 31.8, 31.3, and 31.3 micrograms.hr/ml were calculated after administration of the solution, 2 x 200 mg tablets and a 400 mg tablet, respectively. Thus, the bioavailability of the tablets was in excess of 98% that of the liquid reference. Mean Cmax values of 4.4, 3.7 and 3.7 micrograms/ml were observed at Tmax values of 0.8, 1.6 and 1.8 hours after administration of the solution, 2 x 200 mg tablets and a 400 mg tablet, respectively. The drug was well tolerated and no adverse effects necessitating subject withdrawal were noted during the study.