Plasma levels of intranasal midazolam at 0.4 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg doses.

Five young adult Rhesus monkeys were included in this study. The weight of the animals ranged from 3.4 to 4.0 kg, with a mean of 3.6 kg. Each animal was restrained and anesthetized with ketamine HC1 at 25 mg/kg IM. An intravenous fluid of 5% dextrose and water with 1/4 normal saline was initiated and profused at a maintenance rate. Each monkey received intranasal midazolam (VersedTM, Roche Pharma Inc, Monoti, PR) at 0.2 mg and 0.4 mg/kg of body weight, using a I cc syringe without a needle, at randomly assigned separate treatment sessions with a minimum of 31day intervals separating the experimental administrations. Approximately 2 cc of blood were obtained from an accessible vein at baseline, 5-, 10-, 20-, 30-, 45-, and 60-min intervals following the administration of the midazolam dosage. Each sample was coded and stored at-80°C for a maximium of 2 weeks, then submitted for mass spectrometric analysis. The laboratory technician was blinded to the dose levels of the sample being tested. The experimental protocol of this study was approved by the Children’s Hospital Animal Protection Committee. All statistical analyses were calculated using the StatviewTM statistical package (Abacus Concepts, Berkley, CA). Results