Pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine following intravenous and oral transmucosal administration in dogs.

Author(s): Abbo LA, Ko JC, Maxwell LK, Galinsky RE, Moody DE, Johnson BM, Fang WB

Affiliation(s): Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.

Publication date & source: 2008-06, Vet Ther., 9(2):83-93.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Pharmacokinetic analysis of buprenorphine administered to six healthy dogs via the oral transmucosal (OTM) route at doses of 20 and 120 microg/kg was conducted using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Bioavailability was 38% plus or minus 12% for the 20 microg/kg dose and 47%+/-16% for the 120 microg/kg dose. Maximum plasma concentrations were similar for buprenorphine doses of 20 microg/kg IV and 120 microg/kg OTM. Sedation and salivation were common side effects, but no bradycardia, apnea, or cardiorespiratory depressive effects were seen. When the two OTM dosing rates were normalized to dose, LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of buprenorphine and its metabolites detected no significant difference (P>.05), indicating dose proportionality. The results of this study suggest that OTM buprenorphine may be an alternative for pain management in dogs.