title: Single dose pharmacokinetics of medetomidine in sheep.
abstract: The pharmacokinetics of medetomidine hydrochloride (Domitor) administered at a single dose of 15 micrograms/kg i.v. in sheep are described. Plasma medetomidine concentrations were determined using a sensitive radioreceptor assay technique, capable of also measuring metabolites which would bind to alpha 2 adrenergic receptors. Medetomidine was rapidly distributed, with a half-life of distribution of 4.65 +/- 0.65 min. The apparent volume of distribution was 2.69 +/- 0.62 L/kg, while elimination half-life was 37.85 +/- 2.84 min. Total body clearance varied between 16.29 and 151.81 mL/min.kg. Pharmacological effects of medetomidine paralleled its plasma concentration.
authors: Department of Veterinary Pre-clinical Sciences, University of Liverpool, South Wirral, Cheshire, UK.
authors: D K
authors: DK
authors: Muge
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Chambers
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Livingston
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000818:Animals; D003000:Clonidine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D007553:Isotope Labeling; D020926:Medetomidine; D011869:Radioligand Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D012756:Sheep / Q000378:metabolism*; D012984:Software; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D007093:Imidazoles; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2; D014316:Tritium; D003000:Clonidine; D020926:Medetomidine