title: [The pharmacokinetics of continuous peridural morphine infusion].
abstract: In patients with cancer pain treated by continuous epidural opiate infusion (4.5-24 mg morphine per day) via implanted or portable pumps (n = 40) plasma levels of morphine were determined during the postoperative period and during regular refill of the pump systems. Concentrations were between 2.6 and 18.8 ng/ml depending on daily dosage and body weight. There were no signs of accumulation. Concentrations in lumbar CSF measured in some of the patients were 15-20 higher but decreased by 10-20% (in relation to daily dosage) in the course of long-term treatment. This may be induced by reduction in permeability of the dura due to fibrosis within the epidural space after chronicle catheterization. Cervical CSF concentrations (during chordotomy) were about 1/6 to 1/7 of the corresponding lumbar CSF levels. It may be assumed that epidural opiate infusion in spite of low blood levels is accompanied by relevant cerebral opiate actions.
mesh_terms: D004824:Epidural Space; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D009020:Morphine
vernacular_title: Pharmakokinetik der kontinuierlichen periduralen Morphininfusion.