title: Pharmacokinetics of metoclopramide in patients with liver cirrhosis.
abstract: The pharmacokinetics of metoclopramide were investigated after intravenous and oral administration in eight patients with severe alcoholic cirrhosis and in eight healthy volunteers. As a consequence of a 50% lower clearance (0.16 +/- 0.07 vs 0.34 +/- 0.09 l h-1 kg-1, plasma drug concentrations and the half-life of metoclopramide were greater in patients following both routes of drug administration. Volume of distribution (3.1 +/- 0.8 vs 3.4 +/- 1.2 l kg-1) and absolute bioavailability (79 +/- 19 vs 84 +/- 15%) were similar in the two groups. The adverse effects of metoclopramide observed in patients with marked hepatic impairment are likely to result from increased accumulation of the drug as a result of impaired clearance. Consequently a reduction in dose of 50% is recommended in patients with severe liver cirrhosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Bicêtre Hospital, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Magueur
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hagege
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Attali
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Singlas
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Etienne
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Taburet
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D008787:Metoclopramide