Convulsive effects and pharmacokinetics of laudanosine in the rat.

Abstract

Laudanosine, which is a degradation product of atracurium, is a convulsant drug in the rat. Laudanosine plasma concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography after administration of both laudanosine and atracurium; protein binding and renal excretion of laudanosine were also determined. A continuous laudanosine infusion of 25 mg kg-1h-1, or less, did not cause convulsions. Eight times ED90 for twitch depression of atracurium gave rise to a laudanosine plasma concentration of less than 8 micrograms ml-1. The convulsive plasma-concentration level for laudanosine was over 17 micrograms ml-1 in the rat. The protein binding of laudanosine was 80%. The kidney excreted 15-20% laudanosine. We conclude that convulsive levels of laudanosine will be very unlikely in any species provided that normal atracurium doses are used no matter how long the procedure.

• Authors: G L Scheepstra, T B Vree, J F Crul, F van de Pol, J Reekers-Ketting
• Journal: European journal of anaesthesiology (Eur J Anaesthesiol) Vol. 3 Issue 5 Pg. 371-83 (Sep 1986) ISSN: 0265-0215 [Print] England
• PMID: 3780694 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Isoquinolines
• laudanosine

Topics

• Animals
• Heart Rate (drug effects)
• Isoquinolines (metabolism, pharmacology, urine)
• Kinetics
• Male
• Protein Binding
• Pulse (drug effects)
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains
• Seizures (chemically induced)