PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Bernard Barzilay
AU  - Ilan Youngster
AU  - David Batash
AU  - Rimona Keidar
AU  - Shaul Baram
AU  - Michael Goldman
AU  - Matithiahu Berkovitch
AU  - Eli Heyman
TI  - Pharmacokinetics of oral ibuprofen for patent ductus arteriosus closure in preterm infants
AID  - 10.1136/adc.2011.215160
DP  - 2012 Mar 01
TA  - Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition
PG  - F116--F119
VI  - 97
IP  - 2
4099  - http://fn.bmj.com/content/97/2/F116.short
4100  - http://fn.bmj.com/content/97/2/F116.full
SO  - Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed2012 Mar 01; 97
AB  - Background Oral ibuprofen has been shown to be associated with excellent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure rates and a favourable safety profile, but limited data exist regarding its pharmacokinetics in preterm infants. Objective To evaluate pharmacokinetic parameters of oral ibuprofen in preterm infants. Methods Plasma ibuprofen levels were determined at various time points, and pharmacokinetic profiles were calculated after a single dose of 10 mg/kg of oral ibuprofen. The rate of ductal closure, adverse effects and patients' clinical course were recorded. Results The authors studied 13 preterm infants (mean gestational age±SD 27.8±2.4 weeks, mean birth weight 1052±443 g). PDA closure was obtained in all patients after a single dose. Ibuprofen levels were detectable 1 h after administration, peaked after 8 h and remained in a relative plateau until 24 h postadministration. Area under the curve (AUC)0→24 was higher than levels reported with intravenous treatment. No adverse effects were observed. Conclusion Oral administration of ibuprofen in very preterm infants is associated with excellent absorption and a high AUC0→24, and may be an alternative to intravenous administration.