Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of butorphanol in llamas after intravenous and intramuscular administration

Objective—To evaluate disposition of butorphanol after IV and IM administration, effects on physiologic variables, and analgesic efficacy after IM administration in llamas. Design—Nonrandomized crossover study. Animals—6 healthy adult male llamas. Procedure—Butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb] of body weight) was administered IM first and IV 1 month later. Blood samples were collected intermittently for 24 hours after administration. Plasma butorphanol versus time curves were subjected to pharmacokinetic analysis. Two months later, butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg) was administered IM, and physiologic variables and analgesia were assessed. Results—Extrapolated peak plasma concentrations after IV and IM administration were 94.8 ± 53.1 and 34.3 ± 11.6 ng/ml, respectively. Volume of distribution at steady state after IV administration was 0.822 ± 0.329 L/kg per minute and systemic clearance was 0.050 ± 0.014 L/kg per minute. Slope of the elimination phase was significantly different, and elimination half-life was sign...