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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Surg / Longitudinal evaluation of fentanyl concentrations in equine...
Veterinary surgery : VS2023; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13990

Longitudinal evaluation of fentanyl concentrations in equine plasma and synovial fluid following application of transdermal fentanyl patches over one carpal joint.

Abstract: To determine if transdermally delivered fentanyl can achieve greater concentrations of fentanyl in synovial fluid when applied over a synovial structure. Conclusion: Application of fentanyl matrix patches directly over the CMCJ did not result in increased fentanyl concentrations in the synovial fluid of the treated intercarpal joint in normal horses.
© 2023 The Authors. Veterinary Surgery published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2023-08-03 PubMed ID: 37537748DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13990Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Objective:

The study aimed to see if applying a fentanyl patch (a painkiller) directly over a joint would result in higher drug concentrations in the joint fluid.

Study Design:

This was an experimental study where the outcomes were determined by random chance.

Animals Involved:

Six healthy adult horses were used for this experiment.

Methods:

Each horse had two fentanyl patches placed on one randomly chosen carpometacarpal joint (a joint in the leg) for two days. Blood and fluid samples from the joints were collected at multiple time points over the 48-hour period. These samples were then tested to measure the fentanyl concentrations.

Results:

All horses showed detectable levels of fentanyl in their blood and joint fluid. The highest concentration in both the blood and the joint fluid was seen 12 hours after applying the patch. However, the concentration of fentanyl in the joint fluid (both from the joint with the patch and the joint without the patch) was lower than in the blood. Importantly, the fentanyl concentration did not differ between the joint with the patch and the joint without the patch.

Conclusion:

Putting a fentanyl patch directly on a joint did not increase the drug concentration in the joint fluid.

Clinical Implication:

If you’re trying to relieve joint pain in horses, placing a fentanyl patch directly on the joint doesn’t seem to offer any extra pain relief benefits, as it doesn’t result in higher drug levels in the joint.

Cite This Article

APA
Ortega McCormack JJ, Reed RA, Epstein KL, Camus MS, Knych HK. (2023). Longitudinal evaluation of fentanyl concentrations in equine plasma and synovial fluid following application of transdermal fentanyl patches over one carpal joint. Vet Surg. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13990

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Ortega McCormack, John J
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Reed, Rachel A
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Epstein, Kira L
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Camus, Melinda S
  • Department of Pathobiology, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, Alabama, USA.
Knych, Heather K
  • KL Maddy Equine Analytical Pharmacology Lab, University of California, Davis, California, USA.

Grant Funding

  • University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine For Love of the Horse Equine Endowment

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Paranjape VV, Knych HK, Berghaus LJ, Giancola S, Cathcart J, Reed RA. Plasma concentrations of buprenorphine administered via matrix-type transdermal patches applied at three different anatomical locations in healthy adult horses. Front Pain Res (Lausanne) 2024;5:1390322.
    doi: 10.3389/fpain.2024.1390322pubmed: 38962712google scholar: lookup
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