Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of the<i>N</i>-Methyl-<scp>d</scp>-Aspartate Antagonist Dextrorphan in Patients With Acute Stroke

Abstract

The highest doses of dextrorphan administered were associated with serious adverse experiences in some patients. Lower doses (loading doses of 145 to 180 mg, maintenance infusions of 50 to 70 mg/h) were better tolerated and rapidly produced potentially neuroprotective plasma concentrations of dextrorphan. These doses were associated with well-defined pharmacological effects compatible with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonism.