Dextromoramide

In nine surgical patients given a single oral dose with an anticholinergic, dextromoramide was rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract³. Taken orally, it is also reported to have a fast onset and high bioavailability, with oral dosing producing almost as much effect as injection. In five patients given oral dextromoramide with an anticholinergic, plasma concentrations declined after the peak with first-phase half-lives of 0.4–1.6 hours and terminal half-lives of 6.3–21.8 hours³. In the nine-patient oral-dose study, apparent volume of distribution values ranged from 0.6 to 2.4 L/kg³. In nine surgical patients given a single oral dose with an anticholinergic, peak plasma levels were usually reached within 0.5–4.0 hours after dosing³. In five of these patients, plasma concentrations declined after the peak in a biphasic pattern, with first-phase half-lives of 0.4–1.6 hours and terminal half-lives of 6.3–21.8 hours³. In the remaining patients, no clear-cut biphasic pattern was observed; half-lives calculated between 4 and 10 hours after administration ranged from 1.5 to 4.7 hours³. Less than 0.06% of the dose is excreted unchanged in urine within 8 hours³.