Transdermal absorption of fentanyl and sufentanil in man

We have studied the transdermal absorption of tritiated fentanyl (citrate and base) and sufentanil citrate. Approximately 50 micrograms of drug in water was applied to the forearm skin of volunteers (5 subjects for fentanyl citrate and base, 6 for sufentanil). When the water had evaporated the site was covered with an occlusive dressing. Total urine collections were carried out for 96 h in 12 h periods. At 24 h the dressing was removed and skin removed with serial applications of adhesive tape. The radioactivity in the urine and on the tape was measured in a scintillation counter. Urine recovery expressed as a percentage of the absorbed dose was 17.9 +/- 1.9% for fentanyl citrate, 20.5 +/- 5.6% for fentanyl base, and 22.5 +/- 2.5% for sufentanil. In one subject who ran 10 miles with a sufentanil patch in situ the recovery was 52.3%. The systemic availability of fentanyl by this route is approximately 30% of that found using the intravenous route.