Summary
Midazolam is frequently used to produce sedation in critically ill pediatric patients. We studied the pharmacokinetics of midazolam in 22 patients (age 8 days to 16 years). The intravenous infusion rate to produce sedation ranged from 49–385 mcg/kg/hr.
The blood samples were obtained at steady-state and midazolam was measured by gas chromatography with electron capture. The steady — state plasma concentrations of midazolam ranged from 49–385 ng/mL. The total clearance, apparent volume of distribution, and elimination half — life ranged from 0.1–3.1 L/kg/hr, 0.2–3.5 L/kg, and 0.3–10.9 hours, respectively. The marked interpatient variability in pharmacokinetics explains in part, the substantial variation in dosage requirements of midazolam to produce sedation in critically ill pediatric patients.
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Nahara, M.C., McMorrow, J., Jones, P.R. et al. Pharmacokinetics of midazolam in critically ill pediatric patients. Eur. J. Drug Metab. Pharacokinet. 25, 219–221 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03192317
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03192317