N. Narjes et al., PHARMACOKINETICS AND TOLERABILITY OF MELOXICAM AFTER IM ADMINISTRATION, British journal of clinical pharmacology, 41(2), 1996, pp. 135-139
1 The pharmacokinetics and tolerability of a new nonsteroidal anti-inf
lammatory drug (NSAID), meloxicam, administered i.m., were investigate
d in two studies conducted in healthy male volunteers. Study 1 was an
open, placebo-controlled design in which 32 volunteers were randomized
to a single ascending i.m. dose of meloxicam (5, 10, 20, and 30 mg) o
r placebo. Study 2 had an open, randomized two way crossover design in
which 12 volunteers received single i.m. and i.v. doses of meloxicam
(15 mg). 2 Meloxicam showed an excellent tolerability in both studies.
No effect was seen on serum creatinphosphokinase (CK, the isoenzyme o
f the skeletal muscle enzyme, CK-MM, was determined). 3 Following i.m.
administration meloxicam was rapidly and completely absorbed (mean ab
solute bioavailability 102 %). Dose-proportionality was demonstrated w
ith respect to C-max (maximum plasma concentration) and AUC (extrapola
ted area under the plasma concentration-time curve from zero time to i
nfinity) over a range of 5-30 mg. 4 Intravenous administration of melo
xicam (15 mg) resulted in higher initial plasma concentrations (C-3min
, i.e. concentration in plasma 3 min after start of injection = 2.99 /- 0.75 mu g(.)ml(-1)) than after i.m. injection (C-max: 1.62 +/- 0.20
mg ml(-1)). All other pharmacokinetic parameters were similar for bot
h routes of administration (apparent elimination half-life = 15-22 h;
plasma clearance = 7-9 ml min(-1)). 5 In conclusion, the excellent tol
erability of i.m. meloxicam together with its rapid and complete absor
ption may provide an alternative to oral administration of this drug.