Influence of food on the pharmacokinetics of ketoconazole

Abstract

Eight healthy adults were given single oral doses of ketoconazole (200, 400, 600, and 800 mg) in the fasting state and with a standard breakfast at weekly intervals according to a balanced block design. Concentrations in serum were measured up to 32 h after the dose. Food did not reduce ketoconazole absorption or significantly alter peak ketoconazole concentrations in serum, though there was a food-related delay in achieving peak concentrations. At the 400- and 600-mg doses, food appeared to enhance absorption, but this effect was not seen at the 800-mg dose. With an increase in dose, the half-life and area under the serum concentration-time curve increased disproportionately, suggesting that the pharmacokinetics of ketoconazole may be dose dependent. Up to the 800-mg dose, the elimination of ketoconazole did not appear to be saturable. Administration of the drug with food is unlikely to be a cause of therapeutic failure.