THE PHARMACOKINETICS OF SINGLE ORAL DOSES OF FEPRAZONE IN HEALTHY-VOLUNTEERS AND ELDERLY PATIENTS

1. The pharmacokinetics of feprazone were studied in nine healthy volunteers and 10 elderly patients. 2. The mean elimination half-life of feprazone after a single oral dose in the healthy volunteers was 22.3 h, the mean apparent clearance 0.0051 l/h per kg and the mean volume of distribution 0.1681/kg. Corresponding values for the elderly patients were 22.6 h, 0.0056 l/h per kg and 0.165 l/kg, which are not different from those for the volunteers. Thus, we were unable to detect any changes in feprazone pharmacokinetics which are related to age, or to the concurrent use of chronic medications, such as digoxin, diuretics, or hormones.