Received April 5, 2007
Accepted on June 20, 2007

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Effects of Lanthanum Carbonate on the Absorption and Oral Bioavailability of Ciprofloxacin

Priscilla P. How ^*, James H. Fischer ^*, Jose A. Arruda , and Alan H. Lau ^*1

Departments of *Pharmacy Practice and Medicine (Section of Nephrology), University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

¹ To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: alanlau{at}uic.edu.

	Abstract

Background and objectives: Phosphate binders such as calcium salts or sevelamer, a cationic polymer, can markedly reduce absorption of oral ciprofloxacin. This randomized, open-label, two-way, crossover study examined the influence of the cation lanthanum on systemic ciprofloxacin exposure after oral administration.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: Twelve patients randomly received in a crossover manner a single oral dose of ciprofloxacin 750 mg alone and plus lanthanum carbonate 1 g three times daily with meals for six doses, with a washout interval of 7 to 14 d. Serial blood and urine samples were collected for 24 h after ciprofloxacin administration, and ciprofloxacin concentrations were determined using reverse-phase HPLC. Pharmacokinetic parameters of ciprofloxacin were calculated by noncompartmental methods, and the effect of lanthanum on ciprofloxacin pharmacokinetic parameters was assessed using ANOVA.

Results: Lanthanum decreased (P < 0.001) the mean ciprofloxacin area under the plasma concentration–time curve by 54% and the maximum plasma concentration by 56%. The 24-h urinary recovery of ciprofloxacin was reduced by 52% by lanthanum (P < 0.001). No statistically significant differences in ciprofloxacin time to maximum plasma concentration, elimination half-life, and renal clearance occurred between the two arms.

Conclusions: Lanthanum carbonate significantly reduces the systemic exposure to orally administered ciprofloxacin. Concomitant administration of both drugs should be avoided to prevent possible suboptimal response to ciprofloxacin.