Plasma pharmacokinetics of adriamycin after intrapleural administration.

The plasma pharmacokinetics of adriamycin after intrapleural administration have been studied. The maximum plasma concentration found after intrapleural instillation of 50 mg was 100 ng ml-1, the adriamycin half-life being about 2.5 h. Large amounts of the drug are adsorbed from the pleura. Hence risks for cardiomyopathy, previously associated with the repeated intravenous administration of adriamycin, must also be considered after intrapleural administration.