Salicylate pharmacokinetics in the dog at 6 ATA in air and at 2.8 ATA in 100% oxygen.

Hyperbaric air and hyperbaric hyperoxia, which have been shown to decrease both liver plasma flow and plasma volume in dogs, may potentially affect the disposition of drugs whose distribution and/or elimination are dependent upon those actions. This study examined the effects of those conditions on the disposition of salicylic acid, using the dog as a model. The drug was administered to six mixed-breed dogs as a 10 mg sodium salicylate/kg i.v. bolus at 1 ATA breathing air (control), at 2.8 ATA breathing 100% O2, and at 6 ATA breathing air, followed by serial blood sampling for 8 h. Statistical analysis showed a significant increase (p less than 0.05) in salicylate clearance at 2.8 ATA compared to control with a subsequent, although not statistically significant, increase in elimination half-life. There were no significant differences between the values observed at 6 ATA and either control or 2.8 ATA. As 100% O2 at 2.8 ATA is used during hyperbaric oxygen medical therapy and during decompression, this change in disposition of this commonly used agent may have implications in man. Studies in man must be conducted, however, to determine if the same conclusions apply.