Effect of magnesium trisilicate and citric acid on the biovailability of tetracycline in man.

Oral absorption of tetracycline hydrochloride by human subjects was compared with its absorption when coadministered with magnesium trisilicate, citric acid or magnesium trisilicate-citric acid mixture. Evaluation of the absorption rate was done by means of urinary excretion measurements. The concomitant administration of magnesium trisilicate with tetracycline hydrochloride resulted in a dramatic reduction of the excretion rate of the drug. Ingestion of citric acid with tetracycline showed no significant effect on its absorption. Citric acid administration simultaneously with tetracycline hydrocloride-magnesium trisilicate combination failed to improve the absorption of tetracycline in the presence of magnesium trisilicate contrarily to preveious in vitro results. Conclusions were made that in vitro experiments are not always successful in the prediction of in vivo findings.