The Influence of Chitosan on the Oral Bioavailability of Acyclovir-a Comparative Bioavailability Study in Humans

Purpose The effects of chitosan hydrochloride on the oral absorption of acyclovir in humans were studied to confirm the absorption enhancing effects reported for in vitro and rat studies, respectively. Methods A controlled, open-label, randomized, 3-phase study was conducted in 12 healthy human volunteers. Zovirax 200 mg dispersible tablets co-administered with doses of 400 and 1000 mg chitosan HCl were compared with Zovirax only. Results The expected increased absorption of acyclovir was not observed. On the contrary, mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-12 h) and maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) decreased following concomitant chitosan intake (1402 versus 1017 and …