Summary
We have determined the pharmacokinetics of meptazinol after its intravenous and intramuscular administration in a crossover study in 7 elderly hospital in-patients (>70 years), and have compared with the results from 14 healthy, young volunteers (ages 20–40 years). The systemic availability after i.m. administration was comparable to that after i.v. administration, a result consistent with the physicochemical properties of the drug. There was a slight, but statistically significant (p<0.01) prolongation in t1/2z in the elderly (mean 2.93 h) compared with the young (mean 2.06 h). This was associated with a 25% lower clearance in the elderly rather than with any alteration in volume of distribution. However, these changes would not appear to be substantial enough to require a revised dosage recommendation for meptazinol for this age group.
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Murray, G.R., Franklin, R.A., Graham, D.F. et al. Pharmacokinetics of meptazinol after parenteral administration in the elderly. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 31, 733–736 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541306
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541306