Adsorption and Partition Studies of Fluconzole

The present work was aimed to study the partition coefficient and adsorption of Fluconazole. Fluconazole is an antifungal drug used in treatment of superficial and systemic fungal infections. It undergoes extensive hepatic first pass metabolism. Adsorption studies were performed on hydrophobic adsorptives viz. activated charcoal and Talc I. P. at temperatures 25, 35 and 45°C. The partition studies were carried using different lipophilic solvents viz. dichloromethane, dichloroethane, hexanol and n-octanol at constant temperature of 25°C. The partition coefficient was determined by shake flask method. Adsorption studies on talc and activated charcoal follow both the Freundlich and the Langmuir adsorption isotherms suggesting possibility of mono as well as multilayer physical adsorption revealing poor oral bioavailability. Partition studies indicates that increase in carbon chain length of lipophilic solvent decreases partition coefficient of the drug. Closeness of partition coefficient values to unity suggests possibility of drug to cross the biological membrane of the microorganism to act locally. From adsorption and partition study it can be presumed that Fluconazole may be formulated in topical dosage form for local effects to improve its therapeutic actions.