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Influence of Age on the Pharmacokinetics of Alfentanil

Gender Dependence

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Summary

Studies on the effects of age on the pharmacokinetics of alfentanil are inconclusive. A possible factor in explaining the differences between various studies could be the effect of gender. The authors studied the effects of age on the pharmacokinetics of alfentanil in female (n = 21) and male (n = 15) patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery under nitrous oxide alfentanil anaesthesia. There was a significant negative correlation (r = −0.79, p < 0.001) between plasma alfentanil clearance (CL) and age in women (<50y, median CL 24.84 L/h; >50y, median CL 14.52 L/h), but not in men (<50y, median CL 19.44 L/h; >50y, median CL 16.2 L/h). The conclusion is drawn that the effects of age on the pharmacokinetics of alfentanil are gender-dependent.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Leiden, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Harry J. M. Lemmens, Anton G. L. Burm, Pim J. Hennis, Marina P. P. R. Gladines & James G. Bovill

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  1. Harry J. M. Lemmens
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  2. Anton G. L. Burm
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  3. Pim J. Hennis
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  4. Marina P. P. R. Gladines
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  5. James G. Bovill
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Lemmens, H.J.M., Burm, A.G.L., Hennis, P.J. et al. Influence of Age on the Pharmacokinetics of Alfentanil. Clin Pharmacokinet 19, 416–422 (1990). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003088-199019050-00005

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