Abstract
Summary
Background
Intravenous ketorolac is commonly administered to children for the control of postoperative pain. An effect site EC50 for analgesia of 0.37 mg.L−1 is described in adults.
Aims
The aim of this study was to review age‐ and weight‐related effects on ketorolac pharmacokinetic parameters in children and current dosing schedules.
Methods
Pooled intravenous ketorolac (0.5 mg.kg−1) concentration‐time data in children aged 2 months to 16 years were analyzed using nonlinear mixed‐effects models. Allometry was used to scale to a 70 kg person.
Results
There were 64 children aged 2 months to 16 years (641 plasma concentrations) available for analysis. A two‐compartment mammillary model was used to describe pharmacokinetics. Clearance was 2.53 (CV 45.9%) L.h−1.70 kg−1 and intercompartment clearance was 4.43 (CV 95.6%) L.h−1.70 kg−1. Both central (V1) and peripheral (V2) volumes of distribution decreased with age over the first few years of postnatal life to reach V1 6.89 (CV 30.3%) L.70 kg−1 and V2 5.53 (CV 47.6%) L.70 kg−1.
Conclusion
Clearance, expressed as L.h−1.kg−1, decreased with age from infancy. A dosing regimen of 0.5 mg.kg−1 every 6 hours maintains a trough concentration larger than 0.37 mg.L−1 in children 9 months to 16 years of age. This dosing regimen is consistent with current recommendations.
