Tissue distribution of ibogaine after intraperitoneal and subcutaneous administration.
Life sciences – January 01, 1996
Source: PubMed
Summary
Ibogaine demonstrates significant accumulation in fat, with levels reaching 11,308 ng/g after subcutaneous administration (40 mg/kg), compared to just 106 ng/ml in plasma. One hour post-injection, drug levels were 10-20 times lower at the 12-hour mark. These findings indicate a substantial "first pass" effect with intraperitoneal dosing, highlighting the importance of administration route on drug distribution. The prolonged presence of ibogaine in adipose tissue may explain its extended duration of action, suggesting potential implications for anti-addiction therapies.
Abstract
The distribution of the putative anti-addictive substance ibogaine was measured in plasma, brain, kidney, liver and fat after ip and sc administration in rats. One hr after ip dosing (40 mg/kg), drug levels ranged from 106 ng/ml (plasma) to 11,308 ng/g (fat), with significantly higher values after sc administration of the same dose. Drug levels were 10-20 fold lower 12 hr after the same dose. These results suggest that: 1) ibogaine is subject to a substantial "first pass" effect after ip dosing, demonstrated by higher drug levels following the sc route, 2) ibogaine shows a large accumulation in adipose tissue, consistent with its lipophilic nature, and 3) persistence of the drug in fat may contribute to a long duration of action.