Effect of iron deficiency anaemia and its treatment on single dose phenytoin bioavailability.

Iron deficiency is a common nutritional deficiency, which leads to structural functional and enzymatic changes in the body that may affect the pharmacokinetics of drugs. The present study in 7 normal volunteers and 8 adult male patients with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) was done to investigate the effect of iron deficiency and its treatment with total dose iron (TDI) on the bioavailability of a single dose of phenytoin. Phenytoin bioavailability was investigated before and 3 and 28 days after TDI. The bioavailability parameters Cmax, tmax, AUC and 2 h phenytoin concentrations were not significantly different in anaemic patients as compared to normal volunteers before or after treatment, except for an increase in tmax 28 days after TDI treatment.