Pharmacokinetics and ventilatory effects of intravenous oxycodone in postoperative children [letter; comment]

Oxycodone hydrochloride (0.1 mg kg-1) was given by intravenous bolus to 18 children after ophthalmic surgery. Plasma was sampled for up to 8 h. Blood pressure, heart rate, peripheral arteriolar oxygen saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide and halothane concentrations and ventilatory rate were also recorded. 2. Mean (+/- s.d.) values of drug clearance and volume of distribution (Vss) were 15.2 +/- 4.2 ml min-1 kg-1 and 2.1 +/- 0.8 l kg-1. Maximum mean end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration and minimum mean ventilatory rate occurred 8 min after administration of oxycodone but the minimum mean peripheral arteriolar oxygen saturation occurred at 4 min. 3. Oxycodone (0.1 mg kg-1) appears to cause greater ventilatory depression than comparable analgesic doses of other opioids.