title: Human pharmacokinetic study of immediate-release (codeine phosphate) and sustained-release (codeine Contin) codeine.
abstract: The authors compared, in a double-blind, randomized, crossover study in 13 healthy adult volunteers, the single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics, relative bioavailability, and side effects of a new oral sustained-release formulation of codeine (SRC) containing 150 mg codeine base, with oral immediate-release codeine phosphate (IRC). Sustained-release codeine was given at a dose of 150 mg every 12 hours for 5 doses; IRC was given at a dose of 60 mg (2 x 30 mg) every 4 hours for the first 3 doses, and 30 mg every 4 hours thereafter for 12 doses. Plasma codeine levels were determined using a sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatography method and corrected for dose administered and codeine base equivalent. Mean values for single-dose pharmacokinetic parameters for SRC and IRC, respectively, were: Cmax of 217.8 and 138.8 ng/mL; Tmax of 2.3 and 1.1 hours; AUC0-inf of 1202.3 and 1262.4 ng.mL-1.hour-1; and t1/2el of 2.6 hours for both formulations. Their respective mean steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters were: Cmax of 263.8 and 222.9 ng/mL; Tmax of 3.2 and 1.1 hours; AUC0-12h of 1576.4 and 1379.1 ng.mL-1.hour-1; and t1/2el of 2.8 and 2.3 hours. These results indicate comparable bioavailability between both formulations with SRC providing delayed peak plasma levels. The sustained-release character of SRC can be explained by a delayed absorption, which is not limiting to drug elimination. Sustained-release codeine provides higher plasma codeine levels over a broader time interval and is expected to improve pain management.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Band
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Band
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deschamps
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Besner
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Coldman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001682:Biological Availability; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003061:Codeine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003061:Codeine