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Pharmacokinetics of oxycodone after intravenous, buccal, intramuscular and gastric administration in children

Hannu Kokki1, Ilpo Rasanen, Matti Reinikainen

  • 1Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. hannu.kokki@kuh.fi

Clinical Pharmacokinetics
|June 26, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Pharmacokinetics of intravenous oxycodone in children are similar to adults. Intramuscular administration offers consistent absorption, while buccal and gastric routes show significant variability in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric pharmacology
  • Pain management
  • Drug absorption and distribution

Background:

  • Oxycodone is a widely used analgesic.
  • Understanding its pharmacokinetic profile in children is crucial for safe and effective pain management.
  • Parenteral liquid formulations offer flexibility in administration, but route-specific data in pediatric populations is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate and compare the pharmacokinetics of oxycodone parenteral liquid (10 mg/mL) across four different administration routes in children.
  • To assess single intravenous, intramuscular, buccal, and gastric administration of oxycodone.
  • To determine the bioavailability and absorption characteristics of each route in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 40 generally healthy children aged 6-93 months undergoing inpatient surgery.
  • Administration of a single dose of oxycodone (0.1 mg/kg) via intravenous, intramuscular, buccal, or gastric routes post-anesthesia induction.
  • Serial blood sample collection for up to 12 hours, with plasma oxycodone levels quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Main Results:

  • Intravenous administration yielded the highest peak drug concentration (mean 82 µg/L).
  • Intramuscular administration showed relatively constant absorption (bioavailability 0.68), while buccal (bioavailability 0.55) and gastric (bioavailability 0.37) routes exhibited large interindividual variations in absorption rate and extent.
  • Terminal elimination half-lives were similar across all four administration routes, ranging from 73 to 246 minutes.

Conclusions:

  • The pharmacokinetics of intravenous oxycodone in children aged 6-93 months closely resemble those reported in adults.
  • Intramuscular administration of oxycodone in children provides predictable drug absorption.
  • Buccal and gastric administration routes in pediatric patients are associated with significant interindividual variability in drug absorption, necessitating careful consideration in clinical practice.
Abstract

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