Pharmacokinetics of oxmetidine, a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist, after single oral and intravenous doses

The plasma concentration curves and urinary excretion of oxmetidine after administration of single i.v. (100 mg) and oral (200 mg) doses have been studied in 11 patients with peptic ulcer disease. The mean bioavailability of the drug was 70% (range 53-91%). After intravenous administration, the mean plasma t 1/2 beta was 3.0 h, the mean apparent volume of distribution 0.7 l/kg, the mean total plasma clearance 12.3 l/h and the mean plasma renal clearance was 0.7 l/h. Following intravenous and oral administration an average of 6% and 3%, respectively, of unchanged drug was found in the urine. The plasma concentration curve after oral administration in most patients exhibited two maxima, with peak concentrations appearing between 45 and 210 min after dosing.