Preliminary pharmacokinetics of intravenous ciramadol in humans

Plasma concentrations of ciramadol were measured after intravenous administration of 30 mg in 8 healthy volunteers. A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with U.V.-detection for simultaneous determination of the substance and of its desmethyl metabolite was developed. The disposition of the drug in these volunteers could be described by a two-compartment open model. Distribution volume was on average 561, elimination half-life 3.85 hours and mean body clearance 154 ml/min. Desmethylciramadol was not detected in the plasma.