학술논문
Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Lofexidine, the α 2-Adrenergic Receptor Agonist, in Opiate Addicts Plasma Using a Highly Sensitive Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometric Analysis.
Document Type
Article
Author
Source
Subject
*PHARMACOKINETICS
*DRUG withdrawal symptoms
*DETOXIFICATION (Alternative medicine)
*DRUG addiction
*SPECTRUM analysis
*CHROMATOGRAPHIC analysis
*ANTIHYPERTENSIVE agents
*MEDICAL care
*PUBLIC health
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Language
ISSN
0095-2990
Abstract
Objectives: The objective of this investigation was to characterize the pharmacokinetic profile of lofexidine. Lofexidine is an orally bioavailable α 2-adrenergic receptor agonist analogue of clonidine that acts centrally to suppress opiate withdrawal symptoms. Methods: During the detoxification period of a phase 3 placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial, six subjects were entered in this preliminary pharmacokinetic study. Results: Pharmacokinetic analysis of plasma samples collected during study day 7 indicated that Cmax was 3242 ± 917 ng/L. The mean trough levels between the study days were not significantly different (p > .05), suggesting that the subjects were at steady-state. Conclusions: Although preliminary due to the limited number of subjects, these findings are the first to document lofexidine clinical pharmacokinetics in opiate addicts using a highly sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]