EFFECT OF TIME OF DOSING RELATIVE TO A MEAL ON THE RAFT FORMATION OF AN ANTI-REFLUX AGENT

Abstract— Gamma scintigraphy was used in twelve healthy volunteers to establish whether the time of dosing of Liquid Gaviscon relative to a meal influenced its therapeutic action. Indium‐113m labelled Liquid Gaviscon was administered to fasted subjects, 30 min after a technetium‐99m labelled meal or immediately before ingestion of the meal. The time for 50% of the Gaviscon to empty from the stomach was 0.36 ± 0.13 h, 3.10 ± 0.31 h and 0.68 ± 0.04 h (s.e.m.), respectively. The preparation was found to empty rapidly from the fasted stomach and could not be floated on a meal consumed subsequently. For raft formation to occur, Liquid Gaviscon should be taken 30 min after a meal. 1990 Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain