Bioavailability of amfepramone hydrochloride sustained release pellets formulation in healthy subjects.

The relative bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profile of two amfepramone (diethylpropion) hydrochloride oral preparations were evaluated in 12 normal volunteers using a newly developed gas-liquid chromatographic procedure to monitor the unchanged drug and its two major metabolites in urine, plasma and saliva. The sustained release pellets formulation (Regenon retard) provided excellent bioavailability and gave broad plateau levels extending over 6 to 8 h after administration, which were intermediate between the "peaks and troughs" shown by the same total dose of the free drug in three equal portions at 4-h intervals.