title: Lipid solubility of pancuronium and vecuronium determined by n-octanol/water partitioning.
abstract: We have measured the n-octanol/water distribution coefficients at 37 degrees C of two steroidal myoneural blockers (pancuronium and vecuronium) and of their 3-hydroxy metabolites over a pH range from 1.5 to 11. Pancuronium was found not to be lipid soluble. The mean distribution coefficient of 3-hydroxy vecuronium at pH = 7.4 was 0 and that of vecuronium 0.12 (SD 0.1). Distribution coefficients of the parent drug showed a slightly greater lipid solubility than the metabolite (11.37 (2.91) and 9.53 (3.44), respectively (mean t0.05 x SE)). Because of its lipid solubility, vecuronium may penetrate into lipid structures.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Anaesthesia and General Intensive Care Medicine, (Department B), University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weindlamayr-Goettel
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gilley
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sipos
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Steinbereithner
mesh_terms: D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D000442:Octanols; D010197:Pancuronium / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000442:Octanols; D014867:Water; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide; D010197:Pancuronium