[Transcutaneous absorption of non-steroidal antirheumatics. Clinical study under a new model for investigation of pharmacokinetics].

The feasibility of the bilateral vein stripping model for the investigation of the transcutaneous absorption of a non-steroidal antirheumatic drug (NSAID) was examined. After application of a 1% solution of indomethacin (Elmetacin, CAS 53-86-1) at one leg (steady state) plasma and vein tissue of both sides was taken at the same time. The mean indomethacin plasma levels of 19 female patients were 7 ng/ml, in the vein tissue of the application side 280 ng/g and at the opposite side 80 ng/g. The tissue levels in the veins are in the same range as in the target tissues of transcutaneous antirheumatic therapy. Therefore the model is considered useful for the investigations of the pharmacokinetics of topically applied NSAID.