Magnetic marker monitoring

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Magnetic marker monitoring is a method to monitor the passage of an orally applied drug (tablet, capsule, etc.) through the intestinal tract. The dosage form is enriched with a small amount (0.1 – 2 mg) of magnetite (Fe₃O₄), which then is magnetized by a high-energy magnetic field. After application the path of the dosage form can be monitored with special detectors, which contain Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs). Due to the very low magnetic field of the iron oxide a specially shielded room is necessary in order to eliminate environmental magnetic interference. The first experiments were performed by Prof. Weitschies at the University of Greifswald, Germany. The method should be able to yield information about why tablets dissolve unequally before or after meals, which is of great importance for the bioavailability of drugs.

[edit] References

W. Weitschies, J. Wedemeyer, R. Stehr, L. Trahms, Magnetically marked pharmaceutical dosage forms to monitor gastrointestinal transit by biomagnetic measurements, Pharm. Pharmacol. Lett. 1 (1991), pp. 45-48