Kinetic disposition of morphine in young males after intravenous loading and maintenance infusions

Loading and maintenance infusions of morphine sulfate were administered to 5 young male patients 23-34-yr-old prior to elective surgery. Apparent steady-state plasma concentrations were achieved 30 minutes after the start of the drug infusion. The volume of distribution at steady-state (2.43 +/- 0.48 L X kg-1), beta elimination rate constant (0.700 +/- 0.162/h) and plasma clearance (1.66 +/- 0.33 L X kg-1 X h-1) were similar to values previously determined in young healthy subjects receiving a single bolus infusion. These data confirm our findings concerning morphine disposition in healthy young subjects and demonstrate the feasibility of achieving predictable plasma concentrations of morphine for future assessment of pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic relationships for this drug.