Pharmacokinetics of morphine in patients following orthotopic liver transplantation.
Plasma and urine concentrations of morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide and morphine-6-glucuronide were measured in seven patients after orthotopic liver transplantation. After a single i.v. bolus of morphine sulphate 10 mg a biexponential decay was observed. Although the distribution and elimination half-lives for morphine were similar to those described in previous studies, a greater total apparent volume of distribution was observed. This was reflected in a greater plasma clearance of morphine than has been reported previously. The concentration of morphine glucuronides remained increased 24 h after administration of morphine; the clinical significance of this remains to be established. The metabolism of morphine was virtually complete, with 4.5% unchanged morphine recovered in urine 24 h after drug administration.
Shelly
M P
MP
Department of Anaesthesia, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge.
Quinn
K G
KG
Park
G R
GR
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008102:Liver Circulation; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D009022:Morphine Derivatives / Q000378:metabolism
D009022:Morphine Derivatives; C035349:morphine-6-glucuronide; D009020:Morphine; C018108:morphine-3-glucuronide