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Enteric-coated tablets of banocide
424
CORRESPONDENCE
ENTERIC-COATED TABLETS OF BANOCIDE S m , - - T h e main difficulties encountered in administering short intensive courses of banocide in Gambia are the side effects of nausea and vomiting. It was thought that as these effects usually occur shortly after the administration of the drug, they might be due in part to gastric irritation and might, therefore, be avoided by putting an enteric coating on the tablets. T h r o u g h the courtesy of Brigadier J. S. K. Boyd, F.R.S., two coated preparations were obtained, namely 50mg. tablets with a standard enteric coating, and tablets with a modified enteric coating.
Details of enteric coatings Standard enteric coating : Resisted the action of acid pepsin for 4 hours and completely disintegrated in alkaline pancreatin in 15 minutes. Modified enteric coating : Resisted the action of acid pepsin for 21 hours and completely disintegrated in alkaline pancreatin in 45 minutes. Eighteen patients were admitted to the ward. Six patients were given uncoated tablets of banocide, six the tablets with the standard enteric coating, and six the tablets with the modified coating. T h e dose schedule employed in each case was 5mg./kg. of base per day as a single dose for 5 days. T h e drug was administered personally at 12.0 noon each d a y breakfast in the ward was at 8.0 a.m. and lunch 1.0 p.m. T h e results were as follows : - - -
Preparation given
Av. no. of mf. ( W. bancrofti) 40ram.3 before treatment
Av. no. of mr.
Uncoated tablets
58
88
Standard coating
187
97
Modified enteric coating
142
( W. bancrofti)
40mm.3 10 days after end of treatment
14
reduction in the mf.
No. of pts. with gastro-intestinal upset
97
Although the groups were small, it was felt that with the occurrence of gastro-intestinal upset in five out of the 12 patients receiving coated tablets, a larger scale trial was not warranted. It is clear that the enteric coatings did not hinder the absorption and action of the drug. A few cases were also treated with banocide in a syrup, with similar results. Attempts were also made to render the drug less irritant by making a draught with banocide and sodium bicarbonate to neutralize the acidity of the banocide. This did not avert gastro-intestinal upset. I am, etc.,
J. A. McFADzEAN. Medical Research Council, London. 25th May, 1956.
CORRESPONDENCE
ENTERIC-COATED TABLETS OF BANOCIDE S m , - - T h e main difficulties encountered in administering short intensive courses of banocide in Gambia are the side effects of nausea and vomiting. It was thought that as these effects usually occur shortly after the administration of the drug, they might be due in part to gastric irritation and might, therefore, be avoided by putting an enteric coating on the tablets. T h r o u g h the courtesy of Brigadier J. S. K. Boyd, F.R.S., two coated preparations were obtained, namely 50mg. tablets with a standard enteric coating, and tablets with a modified enteric coating.
Details of enteric coatings Standard enteric coating : Resisted the action of acid pepsin for 4 hours and completely disintegrated in alkaline pancreatin in 15 minutes. Modified enteric coating : Resisted the action of acid pepsin for 21 hours and completely disintegrated in alkaline pancreatin in 45 minutes. Eighteen patients were admitted to the ward. Six patients were given uncoated tablets of banocide, six the tablets with the standard enteric coating, and six the tablets with the modified coating. T h e dose schedule employed in each case was 5mg./kg. of base per day as a single dose for 5 days. T h e drug was administered personally at 12.0 noon each d a y breakfast in the ward was at 8.0 a.m. and lunch 1.0 p.m. T h e results were as follows : - - -
Preparation given
Av. no. of mf. ( W. bancrofti) 40ram.3 before treatment
Av. no. of mr.
Uncoated tablets
58
88
Standard coating
187
97
Modified enteric coating
142
( W. bancrofti)
40mm.3 10 days after end of treatment
14
reduction in the mf.
No. of pts. with gastro-intestinal upset
97
Although the groups were small, it was felt that with the occurrence of gastro-intestinal upset in five out of the 12 patients receiving coated tablets, a larger scale trial was not warranted. It is clear that the enteric coatings did not hinder the absorption and action of the drug. A few cases were also treated with banocide in a syrup, with similar results. Attempts were also made to render the drug less irritant by making a draught with banocide and sodium bicarbonate to neutralize the acidity of the banocide. This did not avert gastro-intestinal upset. I am, etc.,
J. A. McFADzEAN. Medical Research Council, London. 25th May, 1956.