Pharmacokinetics of oral nifedipine in different populations.

Nifedipine disposition varies among populations. Reports on oral nifedipine pharmacokinetics show that peak plasma levels and AUC values are higher in Mexican and Japanese than in European and North American subjects. Increased nifedipine bioavailability in the nonwhite populations is likely due to nutritional habits. Certain flavonoids that inhibit the first-pass metabolism of dihydropyridines are present in the diets of both Mexican and Japanese. Differences in phenotypes may play a role in interethnic variability.