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Published on: August 15, 2016
Cerebrospinal fluid distribution of ibuprofen after intravenous administration in children
Hannu Kokki1, Elina Kumpulainen, Marko Lehtonen
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kuopio, PO Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland. hannu.kokki@kuh.fi
Insights
Ibuprofen readily penetrates the cerebrospinal fluid in children, reaching peak levels within 30-40 minutes after a 10 mg/kg intravenous dose. This study quantifies ibuprofen
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Pain Management
Background:
- Ibuprofen is a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for children.
- NSAIDs affect both peripheral and central nervous systems.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) penetration of ibuprofen is established in adults but not children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ibuprofen's penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in pediatric patients.
- To evaluate ibuprofen's plasma concentration for analgesia following pediatric inguinal surgery.
Main Methods:
- 36 children (3 months–12 years) received a single IV ibuprofen dose (10 mg/kg).
- Paired CSF and blood samples were collected 10 minutes to 8 hours post-injection.
- Additional blood samples were taken from surgical patients experiencing pain.
Main Results:
- Ibuprofen was detected in all CSF and plasma samples.
- CSF ibuprofen concentrations ranged from 15–541 µg/L, peaking at 30–38 minutes.
- Post-30 minutes, CSF ibuprofen levels exceeded unbound plasma concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Ibuprofen demonstrates ready penetration into the CSF of children.
- Peak CSF concentrations are achieved 30–40 minutes after IV administration.
- Effective plasma analgesic concentrations for post-operative pain range from 10–25 mg/L.
Background:
Ibuprofen is the most commonly used nonsteroidal, antipyretic, antiinflammatory analgesic in children. Nonsteroidal, antipyretic, antiinflammatory analgesics act in both the peripheral tissues and the central nervous system. The central nervous system penetration of ibuprofen has been described in adults but not in children.
Objectives:
Our goals were to investigate the cerebrospinal fluid penetration of ibuprofen in children and evaluate the analgesic plasma concentration of ibuprofen after inguinal surgery in children.
Materials And Methods:
A total 36 healthy children (25 boys) aged 3 months to 12 years received a single intravenous injection of ibuprofen (10 mg/kg). A paired cerebrospinal fluid and blood sample was obtained 10 minutes to 8 hours after the injection. In children having inguinal surgery, a second blood sample was obtained at the time that the child first had wound pain.
Results:
The ibuprofen level was determined in all cerebrospinal fluid and plasma samples. Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations ranged between 15 and 541 microg/L, and the highest concentrations were measured 30 to 38 minutes after dosing. In all cerebrospinal fluid samples collected after 30 minutes, ibuprofen concentration exceeded that of unbound plasma. The plasma analgesic concentrations after inguinal surgery ranged between 10 and 25 mg/L.
Conclusions:
Ibuprofen penetrates the cerebrospinal fluid readily, with peak concentrations attained 30 to 40 minutes after intravenous injection of a 10 mg/kg dose. The plasma analgesic concentration after inguinal surgery with spinal anesthesia is 10 to 25 mg/L.
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