Normal and slow-release formulations of bezafibrate: a comparative pharmacokinetic study in man.

In this study the pharmacokinetics of a new slow-release formulation of bezafibrate (a hypolipaemic drug) were evaluated in a group of six healthy volunteers. In the first part of the study the bioavailability of this formulation was compared to the normal preparation of bezafibrate. In the second part of the experiment the possible accumulation was studied. The subjects were administered the slow-release preparation at 08h00 for seven consecutive days. The resulting data indicate that the slow-release formulation shows a lower dispersion of Tmax values. There was an increase of the plasma half-life from 1.9 to 5.5 h, but a possibility of accumulation could be excluded.