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CBD Pharmacokinetics 
& 
Delivery methods

Deabold, KA, Schwark, WS, Wolf, L & Wakshlag, JJ 2019, ‘Single-Dose Pharmacokinetics and Preliminary Safety Assessment with Use of CBD-Rich Hemp Nutraceutical in Healthy Dogs and Cats, Animals, vol. 9, pp. 832

 

Aim: 12 week dose of full spectrum CBD to show short pharmacokinetic half-lives in dogs and cats

 

Method:

  • Animals: 8 Beagle dogs, 8 DSH cats

  • Dosed with 2 mg/kg of full spectrum CBD orally BID for 12 weeks

 

Findings:

  • Mean maximum concentration (Cmax) of 301 ng/mL and 43 ng/mL for dogs and cats, respectively

  • Time to maximal concentration (Tmax) of 1.4 h and 2 h, for dogs and cats, respectively.

  • Serum chemistry and CBC results showed no clinically significant alterations (no values exceeded the reference ranges)

    • EXCEPT one cat showed a persistent rise in ALT above the reference range for the duration of the trial.

Bartner, L.R.; McGrath, S.; Rao, S.; Hyatt, L.K.; Wittenburg, L.A. 2018, ‘Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol administered by 3 delivery methods at 2 different dosages to healthy dogs’, Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, vol. 82, pp. 178–183

 

Design: randomised controlled trial

Aim: to determine the pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol (CBD) in healthy dogs.

 

Intervention: 30 healthy research dogs, randomly allocated to 3 groups, and given either:  (1) oral microencapsulated oil beads (2) oral CBD-infused oil, or (3) CBD-infused transdermal cream, at a dose of 75 mg or 150 mg q12h for 6 weeks.

 

Results:

  • Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that the CBD-infused oil formulation resulted in higher maximal concentrations (Cmax) and systemic exposure than the other 2 formulations

  • Exposure is dose-proportional

  • The oral CBD-infused oil provides the most favourable pharmacokinetic profile.

  • the CBD-infused transdermal cream did not reach similar plasma concentrations as the oral formulations.

    • since CBD is highly lipophilic, it accumulates within the stratum corneum and does not penetrate deeper skin layers​

Polidoro D, Temmerman R, Devreese M, Charalambous M, Ham LV, Cornelis I, Broeckx BJG, Mandigers PJJ, Fischer A, Storch J & Bhatti SFM 2022, ‘Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol Following Intranasal, Intrarectal, and Oral Administration in Healthy Dogs’, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, vol.  9, art. 899940

 

AIM: to determine the pharmacokinetic behaviour of CBD after a single dose via intranasal (IN) vs intrarectal (IR) vs oral (PO) administration route (PO)

 

Method:

  • six healthy Beagle dogs age 3–8 years old

  • Each dog underwent the same protocol but received CBD through a different administration route.

  • Standardized dosages applied for IN, IR and PO were 20, 100, and 100mg, respectively.

 

Key findings:

  • Plasma CBD concentrations after IR administration were below the limit of quantification.

  • The mean area under the curve (AUC) after IN and PO administration was 61 and 1,376 ng/mL∗h, respectively.

  • The maximal plasma CBD concentration (Cmax) after IN and PO CBD administration was 28 and 217 ng/mL reached after 0.5 and 3.5 h (Tmax), respectively.

  • Significant differences between IN and PO administration were found in the Tmax (p=0.04).

  • Higher AUC and Cmax were achieved with 100mg PO compared to 20mg IN, but no significant differences were found when area under the curve (p = 0.09) and Cmax (p = 0.44) were normalized to 1mg dosages.

 

CONCLUSIONS:

  • IN administration of CBD resulted in faster absorption when compared to PO administration.

  • BUT PO remains the most favourable route for CBD delivery due to its more feasible administration.

  • The IR administration route is not advised for clinical application.

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