Absorption of different forms of the antibiotic erythromycin may be increased, decreased, delayed or not affected by food. Figure 4.96 shows the drug concentration levels of erythromycin in healthy, fasting human volunteers who received single oral doses of 500 mg erythromycin tablets, together with either large (250 ml) or small (20 ml) accompanying volumes of water. Discuss the effect of the water on the concentration of erythromycin in the blood. How are the peak concentration and the time to reach peak concentration affected? When does the effect of the volume of water wear off?

Transcribed Image Text:

concentration of erythromycin (μg/ml) 3 2.5 2 1.5 0.5 20 ml water 250 ml water 2 4 6 8 10 12 Figure 4.96 t (hours)