Oral ciprofloxacin affects the pharmacokinetics of paracetamol in saliva.

Author(s): Issa MM, Nejem RM, El-Abadla NS

Affiliation(s): Department of Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Alaqsa University, Gaza, Palestine, Palestine.

Publication date & source: 2006, Clin Drug Investig., 26(4):223-6.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: To determine whether concomitant administration of ciprofloxacin has any effect on the release and absorption of paracetamol. METHODS AND DESIGN: Ten healthy female volunteers received a single oral dose of paracetamol 1g or paracetamol 1g plus ciprofloxacin 500mg in a double-blind, crossover study. Pharmacokinetic parameters were measured in salivary samples using a colorimetric method. RESULTS: Maximum paracetamol concentration (C(max)) in saliva was significantly decreased when co-administered with ciprofloxacin (19.50 vs 13.70 microg/mL, p < 0.05). Time to paracetamol C(max) was significantly increased (1.43h vs 0.77h; p < 0.05) and paracetamol half-life was prolonged (1.19 to 1.53h, p = 0.05) in the presence of ciprofloxacin, whereas the area under the concentration-time curve was not affected. CONCLUSION: Concomitant administration of ciprofloxacin with paracetamol may result in a delayed onset of action of paracetamol.