Development of Controlled Release Oral Drug Delivery System by Membrane-Coating Method-II-Correlation Between Acetaminophen Concentrations in Plasma and Sativa Samples of Man-

피막법에 의한 경구투여용 제어방출 제제의 개발-II-사람에 있어서 아세트아미노겐 혈장 중 농도와 타액 중 농도와의 상관성-

Plasma and saliva concentrations of acetaminophen (AAP) were determined at various time points by HPLC after oral administration of AAP tablets (AAP 500 mg) to four healthy male Korean subjects. Saliva concentrations (S) of AAP were significantly correlated with plasma AAP concentrations (P). The S/P ratio of AAP was calculated to be 1.05 (r =0.944, $p<10^{-6}$) for all the data points from the subjects. It showed a little intersubject variation and ranged from 0.89 to 1.46 in each subject. Bioavailability parameters such as AUC, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ which are usually obtained from the plasma concentration data will be predictable approximately by saliva concentration data. Saliva seems to be very convinient and useful samples for the preliminary studies of bioavailability and bioequivalence of AAP preparations, since it can be collected frequently without any painful venipuncture to the subjects, that is inevitable in plasma sampling. Evaluation of the bioavailability of a preparation by saliva samples will reduce the cost, time and safety risk greatly in developing a new drug delivery system for AAP.