European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences
-
Clinical Trial
Population pharmacokinetics of morphine and morphine-6-glucuronide following rectal administration--a dose escalation study.
To safely and effectively administer morphine as liquid formulation via the rectal route, a thorough understanding of the pharmacokinetics is warranted. The aims were: (1) to develop a population pharmacokinetic model of liquid rectal morphine and morphine-6-glucoronide (M6G), (2) to simulate clinically relevant rectal doses of morphine and (3) to assess the tolerability and safety. ⋯ A population pharmacokinetic model of liquid rectal morphine and M6G was developed. The model can be used to simulate rectal doses to maintain analgesic activity in the clinic. The studied doses were safe and well tolerated.