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Characterization of early plasma concentrations of midazolam in pigs after administration by an autoinjector
Author(s) -
Levy Aharon,
Kushnir Moshe,
Chapman Shira,
Brandeis Rachel,
Teitelbaum Zvi,
Gilat Eran
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
biopharmaceutics and drug disposition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.419
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1099-081X
pISSN - 0142-2782
DOI - 10.1002/bdd.417
Subject(s) - midazolam , medicine , pharmacokinetics , anesthesia , benzodiazepine , absorption (acoustics) , atropine , pharmacology , sedation , physics , receptor , acoustics
The treatment of organophosphate‐induced poisoning is based mainly on atropine and an oxime. Prompt anticonvulsive intervention is usually also required to terminate the ensuing seizure activity and to prevent delayed permanent brain damage. Midazolam, a water‐soluble benzodiazepine agonist, has the advantage of rapid absorption following intramuscular administration. In mass casualty situations, the availability of an autoinjector, filled with midazolam, might be a further advantage. In the present study, the plasma pharmacokinetics of midazolam after administration by an autoinjector was compared with conventional intramuscular (i.m.) administration in two groups of four pigs each. During the first 15 min after injection, significantly higher plasma concentrations of midazolam were detected following autoinjector administration, compared with the i.m. injection. The physiological reflection of the accelerated midazolam absorption was a marked reduction in the time interval required for muscle relaxation, induced by midazolam. It is concluded that a midazolam autoinjector might be helpful in the mass casualty scenario following organophosphate poisoning. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.