Papaverine hydrochloride: the evaluation of two new dosage forms.

The bioavailability of papaverine, administered as sustained release capsules, an elixir, and soft gelatin capsules, was studied with volunteers. Blood samples were assayed for papaverine, using a gas chromatographic method, following the administration of single 150 mg doses of papaverine HC1. The elixir and the soft gelatin capsule resulted in nearly identical papaverine blood levels, while peak levels, area under the blood level-time curve, and plasma levels 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 hours after dosing with the sustained release capsule were significantly (p less than 0.01) lower.