Pharmacokinetics of vinpocetine and its main metabolite apovincaminic acid before and after the chronic oral administration of vinpocetine to humans.

The pharmacokinetics of vinpocetine (Cavinton) and of its main metabolite apovincaminic acid (AVA), has been studied in 5 healthy male volunteers after the administration of 3 x 5 and 3 x 10 daily doses of vinpocetine for seven days. The pharmacokinetic curves of both vinpocetine and AVA have been determined prior to the chronic administration and on the last day of the treatment, whereas between the 2nd and 6th days, concentration was measured once daily. On the basis of these pharmacokinetic studies it can be concluded that both vinpocetine and AVA show linear pharmacokinetics at the doses used and that there is no accumulation or autoinduction.