Pharmacokinetics of Medications with Generic Names

Generic name Time Cmax Elimination t½ Generic name Time Cmax Elimination t½
Analgesics Steroids
Acetaminophen PO: 1 hr (1–2) 4 hrs (2–4) Dexamethasone PO tabs/elixir: 1 hr (1–2) Plasma: 2 hrs
(paracetamol) EM PR: 1 hr (1.8–4.8) (effect follows biological t½, SC/IM: 30 min (1.8–3.5)
Acetylsalicylic acid PO: buffered tab: 20 min 6 hrs (4.7–9, not plasma t½) EM IV: 15 min (6–15) Biological: 36–54 hrs
(ASA) (salicylic acid PO: effervescent solution: dose–related) Prednisone PO: 1.5 hrs (1–2) Plasma: 2.5 hrs (2–3)
derivative) 15 min (effect follows biological t½, Biological: 18–36 hr
Diclofenac (acetic acid IR PO: (Diclofenac K): 2 hrs not plasma t½)
derivative) 1 hr (0.33–2) Benzodiazepines
ER PO: (Diclofenac Na): Alprazolam PO: 1 hr 11.2 hrs
2 hrs (1–4)
PR: 30 min Clonazepam PO: 2 hrs (1–4) 30 hrs (19–50)
PR: 10–30 min
Celecoxib (COX-2) PO: 3 hrs 11 hr
Diazepam EM PO: 0.89–1.32 hrs 45 hrs
Ibuprofen (propionic acid PO: 1 hr (1.4–1.9 hrs ) 4 hrs (2-4) PR gel:1.5 hrs Metabolites:
derivative) EM IM: 1 hr 30–100 hrs
Ketorolac (acetic acid PO: 1 hr 6 hrs (2.4-9) IV: 8 min
derivative) SC/IM: 1 hr Flurazepam PO: 1 hr 8 hrs
IV: 1–3 min
Lorazepam PO: 1 hr 12 hr
Naproxen (propionic acid IR PO: 2 hrs (2–4) 12 hrs (12–15)
derivative) SC/IM: 30 min Metabolites: 12–18 hrs
Midazolam EM SC/IM: 30 min 2 hrs (1–3)
Indomethacin (Indole PO/PR: 2 hrs 4.5 hrs (2.6-11)
acetic acid derivative) IV: 15 min (6–15)
Oxazepam PO: 1 hr 12 hrs (5-15)
Opioids
Codeine (methylmorphine) PO: 1 hr (1–2) 4 hrs (3.5-5.3) Temazepam PO: 1.5 hrs 12 hrs (10 – 15)
EM PR: 30 min
Nonbenzodiazepine GABAA Agonists
IM: 30 min
Eszopiclone PO: 1.5 hrs 6 hrs
Fentanyl Epi: 30 min 4 hrs (3.3–4.1)
TM: 24 min (20–40) DI TD: 48-72 hrs Zaleplon PO: 1 hr 1 hr
SC/IM: 30 min
IV: 15 min (6–15) Zolpidem PO: 1.6 hrs 2.5 hrs (1.5-7)
TD: 12-24 hrs Antipsychotics
Hydrocodone in PO IR: 1 hr (1.3) 4 hrs (3.8–4.5) Chlorpromazine (sedating) PO: 1 hr 24 hrs (23-37)
combination with PO ER: 5 hrs DI ER: 8-12 hrs SC/IM: 30 min
acetaminophen a
IV: 15 min (6-15)
Hydromorphone PO IR: 1 hr (48–60 min) 4 hrs (3–4)
Haloperidol (non-sedating) PO: 1 hr 21 hrs (10–38)
SC/IM: 30 min DI ER: 8-12 hrs
EM SC/IM: 30 min
IV: 15 min (6–15)
IV: 15 min (6-15)
Epi: 8 min
Olanzapine PO: 6 hr 30 hrs (21–54)
Methadone PO: 2–4 hrs Biphasic (variable)
(sedating) IM: 30 min (15–45)
(not 1st order kinetics) Initial phase 12–24 hrs ;
Second up to 55+ hrs Prochlorperazine PO/PR: 2 hrs (1.5–5) 8 hrs (6.8–9)
Morphine EM PO IR: 1 hr 4 hrs
Quetiapine (sedating) PO: 1.5 hrs 6 hrs
PO ER: 4 hrs (3-6) DI ER: 8-12 hrs
SC/IM: 30 min Risperidone (non-sedating) PO: 1 hr (1–2) PO: 3 hrs
IV: 15 min (6–15) Metabolites: 21–30 hrs
Oxycodone PO IR: 1 hr 4 hrs (3-5) Laxatives Initial Response
PO ER: 5 hrs DI ER: 8-12 hrs Bisacodyl (stimulant) PO: 6–12 hrs NA
Remifentanil 1–3 min 5 min (3–10) PR: 15–60 min
Docusate Na+ or Ca++ PO: 1–3 days NA
Sufentanil SC: 30 min 2.5 hr
(surfactant) EM
IV: 15 min (6–10)
Glycerin (irritant) PR: 15–30 min NA
Tramadol PO: 2 hr Tramadol: 6.3 hr
Metabolite: 7.4 hr Lactulose (osmotic) EM PO: 24-48 hr NA
Anticholinergics
Magnesium citrate PO: 0.5–3 hr NA
Atropine PO: 1 hour Biphasic: (osmotic)
IM: 30 min Initial ~ 2 hr
Polyethylene Glycol PO: 24-72 hr NA
Second: 12.5–38 hr
Glycopyrrolate SC/IM: 10 min 1 hr (0.55-1.25) Psyllium (not absorbed) PO: 12–24 hrs (up to 3 NA
days)
Hyoscyamine EM PO IR: 30 min 3.5 hrs
Sennosides (stimulant) EM PO: 6–12 hr NA
PO ER: 2.5 hr DI ER:8-12 hrs
PR: 0.5 –2 hr
Scopolamine PO: 1 hr 8 hrs (7-9)
Sodium phosphate PR: 0.5–3 hr NA
SC: 30 min DI TD: 72 hrs
(osmotic)
TD: 4 hr
Sorbitol (osmotic) PO: 0.5–3 hr NA

Peripheral Opioid Time Cmax Elimination t½

Mu Receptor Antagonist
Methylnaltrexone SC: 30 min SC: 2 hrs

DI = Dosing Interval; EM = Essential Medicines for Palliative Care, WHO, see http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/essentialmedicines/en/ Page 1Rosene Pirrello, RPh, Frank D.
Ferris, MD, Copyright © 2013 Frank D Ferris, all rights reserved. Updated 2019. Adapted from the EPEC®– Oncology Project, 2005.
This table does not replace careful clinical judgment specific to each patient / family situation. May be copied and shared for non-profit educational purposes.
 Pharmacokinetics of Medications with Generic Names
Generic name Time Cmax Elimination t½ Generic name Time Cmax Elimination t½
Antidepressants Anaesthetics
Amitriptyline EM PO: 4 hrs (2-12) 15 hrs (10-50) Lidocaine IM: 30 min 1.5–2 hr
Metabolite: Nortriptyline
Nitrous oxide Rapid 5 min
Citalopram PO: 4 hrs 35 hrs
Anticonvulsants
Desipramine PO: 3–6 hrs 14.3–24.7 hrs
(variable 1st pass) Carbamazepine PO IR: 4 hrs 12 hrs (12–17)
Doxepin PO: 1 hrs 16.8 hrs (8–25) PO chew tab: 6 hrs
Prominent H1 antagonist Metabolites: 51.3 hrs PO suspension: 1.5 hrs
(33.2–80.7) Fosphenytoin SC/IM: 30 min Conversion to
(prodrug of phenytoin, IV: immediate phenytoin: 15 min
Duloxetine PO: 6 hr 12.5 hrs (9.2-19.1)
(not 1st order kinetics) (at end of infusion) Phenytoin: 7–42 hrs
Escitalopram PO: 5 hr 30 hrs (27-32) Gabapentin PO: 2 hrs (1.5–4) 6 hrs (5–7)
Fluoxetine EM PO: 7 hrs (6–8) 5 days (4–6) Levetiracetam PO IR: 1 hr 7 hrs (6-8)
Metabolites: 16 days PO Solution: 1 hr
Imipramine PO: 1 hr 12 hrs (8-12) PO ER: 4 hrs
Metabolite: Desipramine IV/SC: 1 hr
Nortriptyline PO: 1 hr 40 hrs (20-100) Phenobarbital PO: 10 hrs (8-12) 96 hrs (50-120)
SC/IM: 2 hrs (1-3)
Sertraline PO: 4 hrs (4–8) 24 hrs
IV: 30 min
Metabolites: 35 hrs
(62–104) Phenytoin IR PO: 1–2 hrs 7–42 hrs (Polymorphic
(not 1st order kinetics) IV: 25 min (20–25) saturable enzyme)
Trazodone PO: 1.5 hrs (0.5–2) 7 hrs
Pregabalin 1.5 hrs (1–1.5) 6 hrs (5–6.5)
Venlafaxine PO IR: 2 hrs (1–2) 5 hrs
PO ER: 5.5 hrs Metabolite: 11 hrs Valproic acid PO: Valproic acid capsules 12 hrs (6–17)
Depakene: 2 hrs (1–4)
Stimulants
PO: Divalproex tab: 4–8 hrs
Methylphenidate PO IR: 1–3 hrs 3 hrs (2–7) PO: Divalproex sprinkle
PO ER: 1.5 – 7 (VARIES) DI ER: 24 hrs capsule: 3.3–4.8 hrs
Others PO: Na valproate solution:
Baclofen PO: 2 hrs 3 hrs (2.5-4) 1.2 hrs
PR: Diluted valproic acid
Cyclizine PO: 2 hrs 13 hrs (7–48) syrup: 3.1 hrs
IV: Depacon: at end of 1 hr
Cyclobenzaprine PO: 4 hrs 18 hrs (9–41) infusion
Diphenhydramine PO: 2 hrs (2–4) 6 hrs (2–8) Diuretics
(H1 receptor antagonist) Metabolites: 8.6–10 hrs Bumetanide PO: 1-2 hrs 60–90 min
Flecainide PO: 3 hrs (1-6) 20 hrs (12-30) IM: 30 min
(class 1C antiarrhythmic) PO cap: 1–8 hrs IV: 5 min
IV: 15 min Furosemide PO: 50 min(soln), 1.5 hrs 2 hrs s
Loperamide PO: 4–5 hrs 10–12 hrs (tab)
(antidiarrheal) IV: 6–10 min
Meperidine / Pethidine IM: 30 min 3 hrs (3.2 – 3.7) Metolazone PO: 8 hrs 10 hrs (8–14)
(rigors) Toxic metabolite 24-48 hrs
Spironolactone PO: 2 hrs (1–3) 1.5 hrs (1.3–2)
Metoclopramide PO/PR: 1 hr (1–3) 6 hrs (5–6) Metabolite: 17 hrs
(dopaminergic) EM SC: 30 min (9 – 23)
IV: 15 min Torsemide PO: 1 hr 4 hrs (3–6)
Metronidazole PO: 1–2 hrs 6–14 hrs
PR: 3 hrs Antacids
IV: end of infusion Cimetidine PO: 60 min (45–90) 2 hrs
Mexiletine PO: 2.5 hrs (1-4) 12 hrs (6-17)) (H2 receptor antagonist) IM:15 min Metabolites: 2.2 hrs
(class 1B antiarrhythmic) Famotidine PO: 2 hrs (1–3.5) 3 hrs (2.5–3.5)
Misoprostol Plasma: 15 min Plasma: (H2 receptor antagonist)
(prostaglandin E1 Max ↓ H+: 60-90 min 30 min (20-40) Lansoprazole (PPI) Enteric–coated granules: < 2 hrs
analogue) 2 hrs (1.5–3) Metabolites: 3 hrs
Octreotide SC: 15–30 min 1.5 hrs ODT: 1.8–2.0 hrs
(somatostatin analogue) Omeprazole (PPI) PO: 2 hrs (0.5–3.5) 1 hr
Ondansetron (serotonin PO: 1 hr (1–2.2) 6 hrs (3.1–5.8)
receptor antagonist) EM Pantoprazole (PPI) PO: 2.5 hrs 1 hr
IM: 0.7 hr
IV: 10 min after infusion Ranitidine PO: 1 hr (0.5–2) 2.5 hrs (2–3)
ends (H2 receptor antagonist) IM: 15 min
Oxybutynin PO: 1hr 2.5 hrs (2-3) Sucralfate PO initial response: 1 hr Duration: 6 hrs
TD Patch:17 hrs (10-28) DI TD: 2x/wk
Tamsulosin PO: 4–5 hrs 12 hrs (9–15)

DI = Dosing Interval; EM = Essential Medicines for Palliative Care, WHO, see http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/essentialmedicines/en/ Page 2Rosene Pirrello, RPh, Frank D.
Ferris, MD, Copyright © 2013 Frank D Ferris, all rights reserved. Updated 2019. Adapted from the EPEC®– Oncology Project, 2005.
This table does not replace careful clinical judgment specific to each patient / family situation. May be copied and shared for non-profit educational purposes.