ISSN:
1432-1041
Keywords:
meptazinol
;
pregnant and non-pregnant women
;
pharmacokinetics
;
single and repeated i.v. dosing
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary We have studied the disposition of the centrally-acting analgesic meptazinol in a group of age-matched non-pregnant and pregnant (36–38 weeks gestation) women. Ten non-pregnant and nine multiparous pregnant volunteers each received a single i.v. dose of meptazinol hydrochloride (equivalent to 25 mg base). A further group of 9 non-pregnant (including four of the original participants) and 10 multiparous pregnant subjects were given repeated i.v. doses of meptazinol hydrochloride (each equivalent to 10 mg base) at 30-min intervals for 2.5 h. Meptazinol plasma concentrations were determined by HPLC using fluorescence detection and the pharmacokinetic variables investigated. After single dosing there were no statistical differences in half-life, clearance, or apparent volume of distribution between the two groups, suggesting that the disposition of meptazinol was not altered by pregnancy. This was confirmed in the repeated dose study, in which no significant differences occurred in either the plasma concentrations achieved or in areas under the curves between the non-pregnant and pregnant subjects. Furthermore, the steady-state concentrations were comparable with those predicted from the single dose results. This indicates that there should be no requirement for dosage alteration of meptazinol during pregnancy.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00558159
