Pharmacokinetics of fentanyl after subcutaneous administration in volunteers

• DOI: 10.1097/eja.0b013e328331a361
• Publication Date: 2010-02-05T08:23:37Z
• Authors: Sarah J Capper; Susan Loo; Jason P Geue; Richard N Upton; Jennifer Ong; Pamela E Macintyre; Guy L Ludbrook
• Keywords: Bolus (digestion); Subcutaneous injection; Route of administration

Pain relief using intermittent subcutaneous injections of an opioid (e.g. morphine) avoids the need for venous access and does not require complex or expensive pumps devices. Although data on pharmacokinetics morphine exist, there are no comparable fentanyl in healthy volunteers. Therefore, aim this study was to characterize 200 microg administered as a single bolus dose via route opioid-naive volunteers.Nine male volunteers were given more than 30 s. Opioid effects blocked by administration naltrexone. Venous blood samples taken at intervals from 5 min 10 h after assayed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Pharmacokinetic analysed noncompartmental analysis approach.After administration, median maximum concentration 0.55 ng ml(-1) (range 0.28-0.87 ml(-1)), reached time 15 10-30 min). The terminal half-life 10.00 5.48-16.37 h).Absorption relatively rapid similar rate absorption previously reported morphine; substantially longer (10 h) that (2.1 h), concentrations variable other nonintravenous routes.