RV11 (propionyl erythromycin mercaptosuccinate) pharmacokinetics in bronchial secretions.

The kinetics of RV11 (propionyl erythromycin mercaptosuccinate) in serum and bronchial secretions was investigated in heterogeneous bronchopneumopathic patients requiring diagnostic bronchoscopy. A single oral dose, equivalent to 500 mg of erythromycin base, was administered to all patients and the bronchial secretion and plasma concentrations were determined after 2, 3 and 4 hr. The bronchial secretion and plasma levels consistently exceeded those reported previously for erythromycin per os, suggesting that RV11 may have an unusually high affinity for bronchial secretions in humans. The results of this study also suggested that RV11 might have different kinetics in bronchial secretions and serum, though further studies are required to provide definitive evidence.