The effects of age and chronic liver disease on the elimination of temazepam

Abstract

The pharmacokinetics of the newer 1, 4 benzodiazepine temazepam were evaluated in 16 healthy subjects aged 18-92 years and in 15 cirrhotic patients, to ascertain the effect of ageing and liver disease. The data were analysed both by classic two compartment and by non-compartmental methods. The mean elimination half-life in the control subjects was 15.5 h, considerably longer than previous estimates. No correlation was found between age and pharmacokinetic parameters. The cirrhotic group showed no statistically significant difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters nor in the urinary recovery of the dose from the control group. Temazepam plasma protein binding was assessed in a second group..