Effect of structured dietary fiber on bioavailability of amoxicillin

The effect of structured dietary fiber on the bioavailability of amoxicillin (AMX) was evaluated. Ten healthy volunteers ingested one of two isocaloric, isonitrogenous diets providing 7.8 gm/day (diet I) and 36.2 gm/day (diet II) of structured fiber for 3 days. Then they ingested one tablet (500 mg) AMX after breakfast. The other diet was administered for an additional 3 days and the study was repeated. Plasma and urinary AMX concentrations were measured at 9 and 24 hours, respectively, by a microbiologic technique. An open one‐compartment model was used for pharmacokinetic analysis. AMX was absorbed more slowly when ingested with diet I than with diet II: the absorption rate constant was 1.04 ± 0.37 and 1.75 ± 0.75 (P < 0.05); lag time for absorption was 0.34 ± 0.13 hours and 0.29 ± 0.11 hours (P < 0.05). The first‐order rate constant and elimination half‐life were similar. Bioavailability was higher with diet I: the AUC was 12.17 ± 3.04 vs. 9.65 ± 2.64 µg/ml/hr with diet II (P < 0.05). A higher content of dietary fiber increased AMX absorption rate and decreased the amount of drug absorbed. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1987) 42, 220–224; doi: 10.1038/clpt.1987.135