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The absolute bioavailability of racemic ketamine from a novel sublingual formulation
Author(s) -
Rolan Paul,
Lim Stephen,
Sunderland Vivian,
Liu Yandi,
Molnar Valeria
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/bcp.12264
Subject(s) - tolerability , bioavailability , ketamine , crossover study , pharmacokinetics , medicine , pharmacology , anesthesia , volunteer , adverse effect , placebo , alternative medicine , pathology , agronomy , biology
Aim The principal study objective was to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of a new sublingual ketamine wafer and to establish its absolute bioavailability and local tolerability. Methods The study was of open label, two way randomized crossover design in eight healthy male volunteers. Each participant received either a single 10 mg intravenous dose as a constant rate 30 min infusion or a 25 mg sublingual dose of ketamine wafer in two treatment periods with a 7 day wash out. Pharmacokinetic blood sampling and local tolerability and safety assessments were carried out during 24 h following both dosing occasions. Plasma concentrations were analyzed by non‐compartmental methods and local tolerability was assessed using modified Likert scales. Results The median (90% CI lower, upper limit) absolute bioavailability of sublingual ketamine was 29% (27, 31%). The first quantifiable plasma ketamine concentration was observed within 5 min for all eight participants for both routes of administration and the median (min–max) time of the peak plasma concentration was 0.75 h (0.25–1.0 h) after sublingual administration. The ketamine wafer had very good local tolerability. Conclusion Sublingual administration of the ketamine wafer resulted in rapid absorption. The ketamine wafer has comparable bioavailability with other oral transmucosal formulations of ketamine but with markedly reduced inter‐subject variability, warranting further evaluation as an analgesic adjunct.