Alginic acid effect on carteolol ocular pharmacokinetics in the pigmented rabbit.

The effect of alginic acid addition to 1% or 2% carteolol solutions on the ocular penetration of the drug has been evaluated in the pigmented rabbit. During single dose studies, an increase in bioavailability ranging from 40% to 60% was observed in the aqueous humor and in the iris-ciliary body. During repeated dose studies, this increased ocular bioavailability of carteolol in the presence of alginic acid led to an equivalent concentration in the target tissue, although the dosage was only once a day compared with twice a day for the usual carteolol eyedrops. 14C-carteolol distribution studies demonstrated the binding of carteolol in pigmented ocular tissues. Thus, the presence of alginic acid as a new excipient supports a possible decrease in dosage regimen, while retaining sufficient ocular bioavailability to lower intraocular pressure.