The influence of frusemide formulation on diuretic effect and efficiency

Aims Changes in drug delivery rate may result in clinically important changes in drug effects. For the loop diuretic frusemide, it would be desirable to develop controlled release preparations, that could maintain an effective urinary excretion rate over a prolonged period of time. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of frusemide formulation on frusemide recovery, diuretic effect and efficiency.

Methods Twelve subjects were given 60 mg of four different frusemide controlled release formulations in a single‐dose, double‐blind, randomized 4‐way cross‐over design. The formulations were three study drugs with different extended dissolution rates (ER1_Tab, ER2_Tab and ER3_Caps ) and one reference drug (LR). Urinary volume and contents of frusemide in urine were measured in samples collected over 24 h.

Results Substantial differences in frusemide recovery and diuretic efficiency were observed between LR and all other formulations. At 24 h, mean total frusemide recoveries of ER1_Tab, ER2_Tab and ER3_Caps were 52%, 36% and 57% lower, respectively, compared with LR (P<0.01). Also at 24 h, mean total diuretic efficiency for ER1_Tab, ER2_Tab and ER3_Caps was 83%, 31% and 135% higher, respectively, compared to LR. The rapid dissolution and absorption of LR resulted in a high diuretic response from 0 to 3 h after dosing. However, from 0 to 24 h, there were no differences in diuretic response between the formulations.

Conclusions Controlled release formulations of frusemide with a low and extended rate of dissolution lead to a more prolonged absorption and subsequent diuresis, but still maintain a similar cumulative response, due to their higher diuretic efficiency.

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2125.1999.00015.x

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