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

Objective: To determine if transdermally delivered fentanyl can achieve greater concentrations of fentanyl in synovial fluid when applied over a synovial structure.

Study Design: Randomized, experimental study.

Animals: Six healthy adult horses.

Methods: Each horse had two 100 μg/h fentanyl matrix patches applied on the dorsal aspect of one, randomly assigned, carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) for 48 h. Whole blood and bilateral synovial samples from the intercarpal joint were obtained at 0, 2, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h. Fentanyl concentrations were measured with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Results: All subjects achieved detectable concentrations of fentanyl in both plasma and synovial fluid. Time to peak synovial and plasma concentration was 12 h. At 6 h, the synovial concentration in the untreated carpus (0.104 ng/mL ± 0.106) was lower than plasma fentanyl concentrations 0.31 ± 0.27 (p = .036). At 12 h, both treated (0.55 ng/mL ± 0.3) and untreated (0.53 ng/mL ± 0.28) synovial fluid fentanyl concentrations were lower than plasma (0.87 ng/mL ± 0.48) concentrations (p < .001 and p = .001, respectively). Synovial concentrations of fentanyl did not differ between treated and untreated joints (p > 0.608 for all time points).

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.

Clinical Significance: There is likely no analgesic advantage to placing fentanyl patches directly over the affected joint, as it did not result in increased synovial concentrations at the tested site.