Pharmacokinetics of the plant‐derived κ‐opioid hallucinogen salvinorin A in nonhuman primates

Salvinorin A, a potent hallucinogen isolated from the leaves of Salvia divinorum, has gained popularity among adolescents in the USA. No detailed study of the pharmacokinetics has been conducted in vivo. The present study investigates the in vivo pharmacokinetics of salvinorin A (0.032 mg/kg, i.v. bolus) in rhesus monkeys (n = 4, 2 male, 2 female). The elimination t1/2 was rapid (56.6 ± 24.8 min) for all subjects. Pharmacokinetic differences (distribution t1/2, elimination t1/2, and AUC) were observed between males and females, suggesting potential sex differences in its pharmacologic effects. Salvinorin B, the presumed major metabolite, is observed to accumulate ex vivo; however, in this study it never reached the limit of detection. Synapse 58:208–210, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.