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Bioavailability of sublingual buprenorphine.

Abstract
Buprenorphine administered sublingually is a promising treatment for opiate dependence. Utilizing a new, sensitive, and specific gas chromatographic electron-capture detector assay, the absolute bioavailability of sublingual buprenorphine was determined in six healthy volunteers by comparing plasma concentrations after 3- and 5-minute exposures to 2 mg sublingual and 1 mg intravenous buprenorphine. The amount of unabsorbed buprenorphine in saliva was measured after 2-, 4-, and 10-minute exposures to 2 mg sublingual buprenorphine in 12 participants. Pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed by analysis of variance; bioequivalence was evaluated by the Schuirmann two-sided test. The 3- and 5-minute sublingual exposures each allowed 29 +/- 10% bioavailability (area under the plasma concentration-time curve unextrapolated) and were bioequivalent. Buprenorphine recovered from saliva after 2-, 4-, and 10-minute exposures was, on average, 52% to 55% of dose. Increased saliva pH was correlated with decreased recovery from saliva. Study results indicate that bioavailability of sublingual buprenorphine is approximately 30%. Sublingual exposure times between 3 and 5 minutes produce equivalent results. Buprenorphine remaining in saliva causes an almost twofold overestimation of bioavailability.
AuthorsJ Mendelson, R A Upton, E T Everhart, P Jacob 3rd, R T Jones
JournalJournal of clinical pharmacology (J Clin Pharmacol) Vol. 37 Issue 1 Pg. 31-7 (Jan 1997) ISSN: 0091-2700 [Print] England
PMID9048270 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
Chemical References
  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Buprenorphine
Topics
  • Administration, Sublingual
  • Adult
  • Analgesics, Opioid (administration & dosage, pharmacokinetics)
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Biological Availability
  • Buprenorphine (administration & dosage, pharmacokinetics)
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Opioid-Related Disorders (prevention & control)
  • Saliva

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