title: Pharmacokinetics and milk residues of butorphanol in dairy cows after single intravenous administration.
abstract: The pharmacokinetics of butorphanol tartrate were investigated following intravenous administration of 0.25 mg/kg of body weight to six healthy non-lactating Jersey cows. Three lactating Holstein cows also received 0.045 mg of butorphanol/kg of body weight intravenously to determine the extent and duration of drug transfer into milk. A radioimmunoassay technique was used to measure butorphanol concentrations in plasma and milk. The disposition of butorphanol following intravenous administration was characterized by rapid and extensive distribution followed by a slower elimination phase. Apparent volume of distribution was 4.178 +/- 1.145 (mean +/- SD) 1/kg, mean elimination half-life was 82 min, and clearance was 34.6 +/- 7.7 ml/min/kg. Trace quantities of butorphanol were detected in the cow's milk for up to 36 h following administration. These pharmacokinetic data were compared with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data for butorphanol in other species and for three other potent opioids in related ruminant species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tufts University, School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Court
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Dodman
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Richey
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hustead
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002077:Butorphanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002417:Cattle / Q000378:metabolism*; D004350:Drug Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D008892:Milk / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D002077:Butorphanol