Pharmacokinetics and absolute oral bioavailability of an 800-mg oral dose of telithromycin in healthy young and elderly volunteers.

Background: This two-way, randomized, single-dose, crossover study determined the pharmacokinetics and absolute oral bioavailability of telithromycin in young and elderly healthy subjects.

Methods: Twelve young (18-40 years) and 12 elderly (>65 years and
Results: The absolute oral bioavailability of telithromycin was 57% in both young and elderly subjects. The AUC for the metabolite was lower after intravenous infusion of telithromycin, indicating first-pass loss following oral administration. Telithromycin was well tolerated in both groups of subjects.

Conclusions: Telithromycin has an absolute oral bioavailability of 57% in young and elderly subjects and is well tolerated.