Pharmacokinetics of butorphanol in horses after intramuscular injection

A two-way cross-over study of the pharmacokinetics of butorphanol after intravenous and intramuscular administration at 0.08 mg/kg in six adult horses was performed. Heparinized venous blood samples were obtained prior to drug administration and at 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 360 min after IV injection. Samples were obtained at the same time points and at 6 h and 12 h after IM injection. Physical examination parameters were recorded at each time point. Plasma butorphanol concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. No significant differences in any physical parameters were observed after butorphanol administration except for an increase in respiratory rate at 60 and 180 min after IV administration. Absorption of butorphanol after IM administration was very rapid (half life of absorption of 6 min) but systemic availability after IM injection was low (37%). Terminal half-life after IV administration was much longer than half-life after IM administration (0.57 h and 7.7 h, respectively). This difference was attributed to detection of a deep compartment after IV administration that was not detectable after IM administration. To maintain targeted plasma butorphanol concentrations above 10 ng/mL, administration of 0.08 mg/kg IM every 3 h may be necessary.