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The pharmacokinetics of midazolam in paediatric patients

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Summary

A serum concentration profile study on midazolam in children was done. Fifty six children aged 3–10 years took part. The routes investigated were intravenous, intramuscular, rectal and oral at 0.15 mg·kg−1, and the oral at 0.45 mg·kg−1 and 1 mg·kg−1. Serum concentration levels for 5 h were studied using gas liquid chromatography.

The volume of distribution, Vss, was 1.29 l·kg−1, the elimination half-life 1.17 h and the serum clearance 9.11 ml·kg−1·min−1. Peak serum concentrations for the intramuscular, rectal and oral routes were at 15 min, 30 min and 53 min respectively. Bioavailability was 87%, 18%, 27% respectively at a dose of 0.15 mg·kg−1. The oral route bioavailability halved to 15% at the two higher doses.

Bioequivalence was present between the 0.15 mg·kg−1 intramuscular dose and the 0.45 mg·kg−1 oral dose from 45 to 120 min.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anaesthesia, University of Stellenbosch, Parowvallei, Tygerberg, South Africa

    K. Payne

  2. Department of Physiology, University of Stellenbosch, Parowvallei, Tygerberg, South Africa

    F. J. Mattheyse

  3. Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Stellenbosch, Parowvallei, Tygerberg, South Africa

    D. Liebenberg

  4. Tygerberg Hospital, Parowvallei, Tygerberg, South Africa

    T. Dawes

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  1. K. Payne
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  2. F. J. Mattheyse
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  3. D. Liebenberg
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  4. T. Dawes
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Addendum: This manuscript is part of a research project submitted to the Medical School of the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, in support of a M.D. thesis. The promotor is Prof. A.R. Coetzee M. Med., F.F.A.(S.A.), FFARCS(I), Ph.D., M.D.

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Payne, K., Mattheyse, F.J., Liebenberg, D. et al. The pharmacokinetics of midazolam in paediatric patients. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 37, 267–272 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00679782

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00679782

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