EFFECT OF AN ACUTE DOSE OF ALCOHOL ON THE PHARMACOKINETICS OF ORAL NIFEDIPINE IN HUMANS

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of alcohol and nifedipine were assessed in 10 healthy human volunteers. Doses of 20 mg (2 x 10-mg capsules) of nifedipine were administered with either 150 ml of orange juice or 75 ml of alcohol (94%) in 75 ml of orange juice according to a crossover randomized design. Plasma nifedipine levels were monitored for 16 hr after each dosing, along with pulse rate and blood pressure. The relative bioavailability of nifedipine, measured as AUC, was increased by 54% (533 vs 346 ng . hr/ml) after the dose of alcohol (P < 0.0002). However, there were no significant differences between treatments in C(max), t(max), or t1/2. Although there was no difference in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate between the two treatment groups, the time to reach peak heart rate was significantly faster in the group treated with alcohol (1.4 vs 2.2 hr). This study shows that ethanol increases the bioavailability of nifedipine and decreases the time for onset of increased heart rate.