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Bioavailability of dexmedetomidine after extravascular doses in healthy subjects
Markku Anttila1, Jani Penttilä, Antti Helminen
1Orion Corporation, Orion Pharma, Turku, Finland.
Aim:
To determine the absolute bioavailability of extravascularly administered dexmedetomidine, a novel a2-adrenoceptor agonist, in healthy subjects.
Methods:
Single 2 microg x kg-1 doses of dexmedetomidine were given intravenously, intramuscularly, perorally and buccally (where the solution is not swallowed) to 12 healthy male subjects. The drug concentration-time data were analysed using linear one-compartment (buccal and peroral data), or two-compartment modelling (intravenous data), or noncompartmental methods (intramuscular data).
Results:
Mean (95% CI) absolute bioavailability after peroral, buccal and intramuscular administration was 16% (12-20%), 82% (73-92%) and 104% (96-112%), respectively.
Conclusion:
Dexmedetomidine is well absorbed systemically through the oral mucosa, and therefore buccal dosing may provide an effective, noninvasive route to administer the drug.
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