Serum Pharmacokinetics of a Highly Concentrated Buprenorphine Formulation in Older Female Sprague–Dawley Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) are common animal models used in biomedical, psychological, and toxicological research. Their long-established research use has driven the progressive refinement of experimental techniques so that associated pain/distress may be ameliorated. One of these refinements is the use of opioids to provide analgesia. Buprenorphine, a partial mu-opioid agonist with high affinity for mu receptors, is commonly used for rodents, as the longer duration of action compared with morphine reduces the need for direct handling during administration of supplemental doses. While conventional buprenorphine (CB) requires dosing two to four times per day to provide sufficient pain control in many mammalian species, a novel, highly concentrated formulation of buprenorphine (HCB; Simbadol) is the first FDA-approved, veterinary-specific opioid labeled for every 24-hour dosing in cats (Felis catus). We hypothesized that, at the labeled feline dose of 0.24 mg/kg SC, HCB would achieve buprenorphine serum concentrations ≥1 ng/mL in older adult female Sprague–Dawley rats for at least 12 to 24 hours. Mean peak serum concentrations of 13.79 ± 6.76 ng/mL occurred 0.5 hour after administration. Twelve hours postadministration, the mean serum concentration was 2.12 ± 0.59 ng/mL with all treated rats maintaining individual serum concentrations well above 1 ng/mL. Twenty-four hours postadministration, the mean serum concentration was 1.02 ± 0.33 ng/mL with 4 of 6 rats maintaining individual serum concentrations of greater than or equal to 0.99 ng/mL. With the exception of a minor, focal injection site reaction in one animal, none of the other known side effects of opioid administration in rats were observed. These results support that administration of HCB at 0.24 mg/kg SC to older adult female SD rats produces serum buprenorphine concentrations consistent with analgesia for at least 12 hours and for up to 24 hours in some rats.