Uptake of Bupivacaine (Marcaine®) in Liver and Lung after Intramuscular Administration in the Dog

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Abstract
The uptake of bupivacaine in the liver and lung of the dog was studied 10,20,30 and 60 min after intramuscular injection of the drug. It was possible to quantify this uptake by combining measurements of concentrations and flows. The administration of bupivacaine (0.75 mg/kg b.w.) did not result in any significant circulatory changes. Arterial bupivacaine concentrations showed major variations, indicating interindividual differences in absorption rate. Lung uptake after 10 min was high in two dogs with initially high blood concentrations of bupivacaine, but low after 20 min or longer. The other dogs showed little or no uptake. Mean hepatic bupivacaine uptake was about 50% of the total dose during the first hour after injection, this indicates the central role of the liver in eliminating bupivacaine even during the initial period following administration. The hepatic extraction ratio showed interindividual variations, but the mean value of about 55% was constant throughout the observation period. This is in agreement with earlier findings indicating a first-order elimination of bupivacaine.