Comparative Analysis of Verapamil Pharmacokinetics: Evaluating the Impact of Simple Suspension and Crushing Administration Methods

Abstract

Background/Objective: It is not uncommon for elderly patients to experience difficulties with feeding and swallowing. In the simple suspension method, tablets are dissolved and suspended in warm water without prior crushing or decapsulation, and then administered via a tube. Despite the prevalence of this method, the pharmacokinetics of suspended tablet dosage forms remain poorly understood. Methods: Verapamil was employed in dissolution tests following both the simple suspension and crushing methods. A pharmacokinetics study was conducted on healthy adult males. Results: The resultant dissolution profiles from the two methods exhibited notable dissimilarities. Drug release from the crushed product commenced earlier than that from the simple suspension and intact tablet. Furthermore, the area under the curve for verapamil during the initial 24 h period was 1.7 and 1.3 times greater in the crushed and simple suspension groups, respectively, than in the tablet group. Conclusions: The crushing and simple suspension methods are safe techniques for administering medications to patients with dysphagia, thereby preventing aspiration. Nevertheless, the processing of medications may result in an increased frequency of adverse effects. It is recommended that the processing of medicines prior to administration be avoided.

Keywords: oral administration; pharmacokinetics; simple suspension method; tablet crushing; verapamil.

Figure 1

Schedule of the entire study.

Figure 2

Dissolution rate of verapamil tablet (sample 1); simple suspension of verapamil hydrochloride tablets (sample 2); and crushed verapamil tablet (sample 3); mean ± SD, n = 6.

Figure 3

Blood verapamil concentration after administration (tested in different participants; mean ± SE, n = 6).