EFFECT OF FOOD-INTAKE ON GASTRIC-EMPTYING OF GASTRIC JUICE-RESISTANT TABLETS AND CAPSULES

To test the effect of food intake on gastric emptying of gastric juice-resistant drugs, emptying time of a 11 x 6 mm tablet and a 20 x 7 mm capsule was measured by means of a metal detector in 10 healthy persons (5 men and 5 women; mean age 25 [18-30] years) after fasting and after eating three main and three in-between meals. After fasting the tablets left the stomach after 78 +/- 18 min, the capsules after 60 +/- 16 min, while meal intake delayed emptying by a factor of 10 to 12 +/- 1.3 hours and 10 +/- 1.8 hours, respectively. The slightly shorter emptying time of capsules was statistically not significant. The results indicate that gastric juice-resistant tablets taken during day-time may, if several meals are eaten, accumulate in the stomach and then be emptied together at night. It is recommended that such drugs be taken in the fasting state in the morning and between meals, while avoiding in-between meals.