The pharmacokinetics of nedocromil sodium, a new drug for the treatment of reversible obstructive airways disease, in human volunteers and patients with reversible obstructive airways disease.

1. The plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of nedocromil sodium have been determined following single dose administration in six healthy volunteers dosed orally (1 mg kg‐1) and intravenously (0.2 microgram kg‐1 for 30 min). Similar parameters were measured in six volunteers and twelve asthmatic patients dosed by inhalation (4 mg). Multiple dose kinetic measurements were also made. 2. The intravenous data demonstrated that nedocromil sodium is a high clearance drug (10.2 +/− 1.3 ml min‐1 kg‐1). The data were fitted by a two compartment model with very rapid elimination from the central compartment (k10 = 0.088 +/− 0.021 min‐1; beta = 0.013 +/− 0.002 min‐1). 81% of the dose was excreted in the urine. 3. Oral absorption was low (2‐3% of the dose) and contributed negligibly to the plasma profile after inhalation. 4. After inhalation of single doses of 4 mg in volunteers and patients plasma concentration rose rapidly, plateaued and then fell monoexponentially with a half‐life of approximately 2 h. The data fitted a ‘flip‐flop’ model with two absorption components. The extent of absorption was up to 6% of the dose with less in patients. 5. After multiple dosing with 4 mg four times daily for 7 days in volunteers negligible accumulation was observed. The pattern was similar in patients treated with 4 mg four times daily after 1, 6 and 12 months.