The effect of age on the pharmacokinetics of pentazocine
Ritschel, W.A.; Hoffmann, K.A.; Willig, J.L.; Frederick, K.A.; Wetzelsberger, N.
Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology 8(8): 497-503
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0379-0355 PMID: 3747643 Document Number: 284686
Pentazocine was administered intravenously to 18 subjects, surgical patients and volunteers, ranging in age from 22 to 90 years. When divided into a young group (10 subjects, age 22-48 years) and an elderly group (8 subjects, age 60-90 years), the total clearance decreased as function of age from 22.14 +/- 4.114 to 11.68 +/- 3.593 ml/min/kg, and the elimination half-life increased from 2.5 +/- 0.71 to 4.11 +/- 1.187 hours. No change in the apparent volume of distribution was observed. Implications of change in clearance and half-life on dosage regimen design are discussed.