Bioavailability of amoxycillin in pigs

Amoxycillin was administered to pigs intravenously (i.v.), intramuscularly (i.m.) and orally (p.o.), in a cross-over design to examine the bioavailability ( F ) of various drug formulations. These included: a sodium salt for reconstitution in water and administration i.v.; trihydrate salt in an oil base for intramuscular administration producing 'conventional' duration of plasma concentrations; a trihydrate salt in oil base giving prolonged (LA) duration, and a trihydrate powder for oral administration in solution. The concentration of amoxycillin in plasma was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and its pharmacokinetic variables were assessed for the individual pigs by use of non-compartmental methods.
  Following i.v. administration (8.6 mg/kg), amoxycillin was eliminated rapidly with a mean residence time ( MRT ) of 1.4 h. After i.m. administration of the conventional formulation (14.7 mg/kg), the plasma amoxycillin concentration peaked at 2 h at 5.1 μg/mL. The bioavailability was 0.83. Intramuscular administration (14.1 mg/kg) of the long acting formulation (i.m. LA), lead to two peaks in plasma at 1.3 and 6.6 h. The bioavailability was calculated to be 1.11. After p.o. administration to fasted pigs, peak concentration was reached after 1.9 h, and the bioavailability was 0.33. In fed pigs, the corresponding values were 3.6 h and 0.28. Data showed that treatment of respiratory tract diseases in pigs by p.o. dosing alone, may not be optimal, because of the relatively low bioavailability and the fact that infections often result in reduced feed and water consumption. A rational treatment regime for susceptible respiratory pathogens includes an initial i.m. injection, followed by p.o. dosing every 12 h. Alternatively, the long acting formulation may be administered i.m. in a dose of 15 mg/kg, which would lead to active plasma concentrations for approximately 48 h.     

Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability of Florfenicol Following Intravenous,Intramuscular and Oral Administrations in Rabbits

This study examined the disposition kinetics and bioavailability of florfenicol after intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and oral administration to rabbits at a dose of 30 mg/kg BW. Serial blood samples were collected through an indwelling catheter intermittently for 24 h for various routes. Plasma antibacterial concentrations were determined using a microbiological assay method with Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 as a reference organism. Plasma concentration-time data generated in the present study were analysed by non-compartmental methods based on statistical moment theory. Following i.v. administration, the overall elimination half-life (t1/2beta) was 1.54 h, mean residence time (MRT) was 1.69 h, mean volume of distribution at steady-state (Vdss) was 0.57 L/kg, and total body clearance (Cltot) was 0.34 L/kg/h. After i.m. and oral dosing, the terminal part of the curve should correspond to the absorption phase, instead of to the elimination phase, with terminal half-lives of 3.01 and 2.57 h, respectively. The mean absorption time (MAT) was 2.65 h for i.m. and 2.01 h for oral administration. Elimination rate constants differed with i.v., i.m. and oral administrations, suggesting a flip-flop situation. The observed mean peak plasma concentrations (Cmax obs) were 21.65 and 15.14 microg/ml achieved at a post-injection time (Tmax obs) of 0.5 h following i.m. and oral dosing, respectively. The absolute systemic availabilities were 88.25% and 50.79%, respectively, and the extent of plasma protein binding percent was 11.65%.     

Pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of pentoxyfylline in broiler chickens

The pharmacokinetic properties of pentoxyfylline and its metabolites were determined in healthy chickens after single intravenous and oral dosage of 100 mg/kg pentoxyfylline. Plasma concentrations of pentoxyfylline and its metabolites were determined by a validated high-performance liquid chromatographic method. After intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration, the plasma concentration-time curves were best described by a one-compartment open model. The mean elimination half-life (t(1/2el)) of pentoxyfylline was 1.05 h, total body clearance 1.90 L/h x kg, volume of distribution 2.40 L/kg and the mean residence time was 2.73 h, after i.v. administration. After oral dosing, mean maximal plasma concentration of pentoxyfylline was 4.01 microg/mL and the interval from p.o. administration until maximum concentration was 1.15 h. The mean oral bioavailability was found to be 28.2%. Metabolites I, IV and V were present in chicken plasma after both i.v. and p.o. administration, with metabolite V being the most dominant.     

Pharmacokinetics of mequindox and one of its major metabolites in chickens after intravenous, intramuscular and oral administration

Pharmacokinetics of mequindox and one of its major metabolites (M) was determined in chickens after intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and oral administration of mequindox at a single dose of 10 (i.v. and i.m.) or 20 mg/kg b.w. (oral). Plasma concentration profiles were analyzed by a non-compartmental pharmacokinetic method. Following i.v., i.m. and oral administration, the areas under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-∞)) were 0.71±0.15, 0.67±0.21, 0.25±0.10 μg h/mL (mequindox) and 37.24±7.98, 36.40±9.16, 86.39±16.01 μg h/mL (M), respectively. The terminal elimination half-lives (t(1/2λz)) were determined to be 0.15±0.06, 0.21±0.09, 0.49±0.23 h (mequindox) and 5.36±0.86, 5.39±0.52, 5.22±0.35 h (M), respectively. The bioavailabilities (F) of mequindox were 89.4% and 16.6% for i.m. and oral administration. Steady-state distribution volume (V(ss)) of 1.20±0.34 L/kg and total body clearance (Cl(B)) of 13.57±2.16 L/kg h were determined for mequindox after i.v. dosing. After single i.m. and oral administration, peak plasma concentrations (C(max)) of 3.04±1.32, 0.36±0.13 μg/mL (mequindox) and 3.81±0.92, 5.99±1.16 μg/mL (M) were observed at t(max) of 0.08±0.02, 0.32±0.12 h (mequindox) and 0.66±0.19, 6.67±1.03 h (M), respectively. The results showed that mequindox was rapidly absorbed after i.m. or p.o. administration and most of mequindox was transformed to metabolites in chickens, with much higher C(max)s and AUCs of metabolite (M) than those of mequindox in plasma.     

Pharmacokinetics and milk penetration of difloxacin after intravenous, subcutaneous and intramuscular administration to lactating goats

The single-dose disposition kinetics of difloxacin were determined in clinically normal lactating goats (n = 6) after intravenous (i.v.), subcutaneous (s.c.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration of 5 mg/kg. Difloxacin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The concentration-time data were analysed by compartmental and noncompartmental kinetic methods. Steady-state volume of distribution (V(ss)) and total body clearance (Cl) of difloxacin after i.v. administration were estimated to be 1.16 +/- 0.26 L/kg and 0.32 +/- 0.05 L/h x kg respectively. Following s.c. and i.m. administration difloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentrations of 1.33 +/- 0.25 and 1.97 +/- 0.40 mg/L at 3.37 +/- 0.36 and 1.79 +/- 1.14 h respectively. The absolute bioavailabilities after s.c. and i.m. routes were 90.16 +/- 11.99% and 106.79 +/- 13.95% respectively. Difloxacin penetration from the blood into the milk was extensive and rapid, and the drug was detected for 36 h after i.v. and s.c. dosing, and for 72 h after i.m. administration.     

Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in broiler chickens

The bioavailability and pharmacokinetic disposition of florfenicol in broiler chickens were investigated after intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and oral administrations of 15 and 30 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Plasma concentrations of florfenicol were determined by a high performance liquid chromatographic method in which plasma samples were spiked with chloramphenicol as internal standard. Plasma concentration-time data after i.v. administration were best described by a two-compartment open model. The elimination half-lives were 168 +/- 43 and 181 +/- 71 min, total body clearance 1.02 +/- 0.17 and 1.02 +/- 0.16 L x kg/h, the volume of distribution at steady-state 4.99 +/- 1.11 and 3.50 +/- 1.01 L/kg after i.v. injections of 15 and 30 mg/kg b.w., respectively. Plasma concentration-time data after i.m. and oral administrations were adequately described by a one-compartment model. The i.m. bioavailability and the oral bioavailability of florfenicol were 95, 98 and 96, 94%, respectively, indicating that florfenicol was almost absorbed completely after i.m. and oral administrations of 15 and 30 mg/kg b.w.     

Pharmacokinetics of cefepime administered by i.v. and i.m. routes to ewes

The pharmacokinetics of cefepime were studied following i.v. and i.m. administration of 20 mg/kg in 10 ewes. Following i.v. administration of a single dose, the plasma concentration-time curves of cefepime were best fitted using a two-compartment open model. The elimination half-life (t(1/2beta)) was 1.76 +/- 0.07 h, volume of distribution at steady-state [V(d(ss))] was 0.32 +/- 0.01 L/kg and total body clearance (Cl(B)) was 2.37 +/- 0.05 mL/min.kg. Following i.m. administration, the drug was rapidly absorbed with an absorption half-life (t(1/2ab)) of 0.49 +/- 0.05 h, maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 31.9 +/- 1.5 mug/mL was attained at (tmax) 1.1 +/- 0.2 h and the drug was eliminated with an elimination half-life (t(1/2el)) of 2.06 +/- 0.11 h. The systemic bioavailability (F) after i.m. administration of cefepime was 86.8 +/- 7.5%. The extent of plasma protein binding measured in vitro was 14.8 +/- 0.54%. The drug was detected in urine for 36 h postadministration by both routes.     

Disposition Kinetics of Difloxacin in Rabbit after Intravenous and Intramuscular Injection of Dicural

This study investigated the pharmacokinetic behaviour of difloxacin following a single intravenous (i.v.) bolus and intramuscular (i.m.) administration of 5 mg/kg body weight (bw) to rabbits (n = 6). Plasma concentrations were determined in triplicate by agar plate diffusion using E. coli (ATCC 25922) as the test organism. Difloxacin was assayed in plasma to determine its concentrations, kinetic behaviour and systemic availability. Plasma concentration-time data generated in the present study were analysed by non-compartmental methods based on statistical moment theory. Difloxacin was rapidly distributed to the tissues with a steady-state volume of distribution (Vdss) of 1.51 L/kg and the total body clearance (Cltot) was 0.59 L/kg/h. The elimination half-lives after i.v. and i.m. administration were 3.25 h and 3.82 h, respectively. After i.m. administration, difloxacin was rapidly absorbed, with mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax of 3.85 microg/ml achieved at 1.61 h (Tmax) post administration. The extent of plasma protein binding of difloxacin in rabbits was 21.45% and the systemic bioavailability was 95.29%.     

Pharmacokinetics of azithromycin after i.v. and i.m. administration to sheep

The pharmacokinetics (PK) of azithromycin after i.v. and i.m. injection at a single dosage of 20 mg/kg bodyweight was studied in sheep. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein until 120 h after dosing for both routes. Plasma concentrations of azithromycin were determined by bioassay. The plasma concentration-time data of azithromycin best fitted a three-compartment model after i.v. administration and a two-compartment model with first-order absorption after i.m. administration. The elimination half-life (t(1/2lambdaz)) was 47.70 +/- 7.49 h after i.v. administration and 61.29 +/- 13.86 h after i.m. administration. Clearance value after i.v. dosing was 0.52 +/- 0.08 L/kg.h. After i.m. administration a peak azithromycin concentration (C(max)) of 1.26 +/- 0.19 mg/L was achieved at 1.24 +/- 0.31 h (t(max)). Area under the curve (AUC) were 38.85 +/- 5.83 mg.h/L and 36.03 +/- 1.52 mg.h/L after i.v. and i.m. administration respectively. Bioavailability obtained after i.m. administration was 94.08 +/- 11.56%. The high tolerability of this i.m. preparation and the favourable PK behaviour such as the long half-life and high bioavailability make azithromycin likely to be effective in sheep.     

Pharmacokinetic profile and in vitro selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition by nimesulide in the dog

The pharmacokinetic properties and in vitro potency of nimesulide, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) were investigated in 8 or 10 dogs after intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and oral (single and multiple dose) administrations at the nominal dose of 5 mg/kg. After i.v. administration, the plasma clearance was 15.3 +/- 4.2 mL/kg/h, the steady-state volume of distribution was low (0.18 +/- 0.011 L/kg) and the elimination half-life was 8.5 +/- 2.1 h. After i.m. administration, the terminal half-life was 14.0 +/- 5.3 h indicating a slow process of absorption with a maximum plasma concentration (6.1 +/- 1.5 microg/mL) at 10.9 +/- 2.1 h postadministration and the systemic bioavailability was 69 +/- 22%. After oral administration in fasted dogs, the maximal plasma concentration (10.1 +/- 2.7 microg/mL) was observed 6.1 +/- 1.6 h after drug administration, the plasma half-life was 6.2 +/- 1.9 h and the mean bioavailability was 47 +/- 12%. After daily oral administrations for 5 days, the average plasma concentration during the fifth dosage interval was 8.1 +/- 2.9 microg/mL and the overall bioavailability was 58 +/- 16%. The mean accumulation ratio was 1.27 +/- 0.4. In vitro nimesulide inhibitory potencies for cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 isoenzymes were determined using a whole blood assay. Canine clotting blood was used to test for inhibition of COX-1 activity and whole blood stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to test for inhibition of COX-2 activity. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) for inhibition of COX-2 and COX-1 were 1.6 +/- 0.4 microM (0.49 +/- 0.12 microg/mL) and 20.3 +/- 2.8 microM (6.3 +/- 0.86 microg/mL) giving a nimesulide COX-1/COX-2 ratio of 12.99 +/- 3.41. It was concluded that at the currently recommended dosage regimen (5 mg/kg), the plasma concentration totally inhibits COX-2 and partly inhibits COX-1 isoenzyme.     

Pharmacodisposition of thiamphenicol in rabbits

The pharmacokinetic parameters of thiamphenicol (TAP) were studied in New Zealand white rabbits. Five rabbits were each given thiamphenicol as a single 30 mg/kg of body weight dosage by intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and oral routes. Serum antibacterial concentrations were determined for 72 h after dosing. Compartmental modeling of the i.v. administration indicated that a 2-compartment open model best described the disposition of thiamphenicol in rabbits. Serum thiamphenicol concentrations after i.m. and oral dosing were best described by a 1- and 2-compartment model, respectively. Overall elimination half-lives for i.v., i.m. and oral routes of administration were 1.39, 2.45, and 1.44 h, respectively. The half-life of absorption for oral dosing was 1.2 times the half-life of absorption after i.m. dosing (0.49 h vs 0.40 h). The calculated time to maximal serum concentration was 1.25 h after i.m. dosing and 1.17 h after oral administration. The calculated serum concentrations at these times were 80.4 and 69.8 micrograms/ml, respectively. Mean residence time's were 1.89 h for i.v. injection, 2.78 h for i.m. dosing and 4.11 h for oral administration. Thiamphenicol was widely distributed in the rabbit as suggested by the volume of distribution value at steady state of 1.47 l/kg calculated from the i.v. study. Bioavailability was 101.4% after i.m. dosing and 64.2% for oral absorption.     

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of spectinomycin after i.v., i.m., s.c. and oral administration in broiler chickens

A pharmacokinetic and bioavailability study of spectinomycin was conducted in healthy broiler chickens following administration of a single (50 mg/kg bw) intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) dose and oral doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg bw. Following i.v. administration, the elimination half-life (t1/2beta), mean residence time (MRT), volume of distribution at steady-state (Vd(ss)), volume of distribution based on the terminal phase (Vd(z)) and total body clearance (ClB) were 1.46+/-1.10 h, 1.61+/-1.05 h, 0.26+/-0.009 L/kg, 0.34 (0.30-0.38) L/kg and 2.68+/-0.017 mL/min/kg respectively. After i.m. and s.c. dosing, the Cmax was 152.76+/-1.08 and 99.77+/-1.04 microg/mL, achieved at 0.25 (0.25-0.50) and 0.25 (0.25-1.00) h, the t1/2beta was 1.65+/-1.07 and 2.03+/-1.06 h and the absolute bioavailability (F) was 136.1% and 128.8% respectively. A significant difference in Cmax (5.13+/-0.10, 14.26+/-1.12 microg/mL), t1/2beta (3.74+/-1.07, 8.93+/-1.13 h) and ClB/F (22.69+/-0.018, 10.14+/-0.018 mL/min/kg) were found between the two oral doses (50 and 100 mg/kg bw respectively), but there were no differences in the tmax [2.00 (2.00-4.00), 2.00 (2.00-2.00) h] and Vd(z)/F [6.95 (6.34-9.06), 7.98 (4.75-10.62) L/kg). The absolute bioavailability (F) of spectinomycin was 11.8% and 26.4% after oral administration of 50 and 100 mg/kg bw respectively.     

Pharmacokinetics and mammary residual depletion of erythromycin in healthy lactating ewes

The aim of this investigation was to examine the pharmacokinetics and mammary excretion of erythromycin administered to lactating ewes (n = 6) by the intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) routes at a dosage of 10 mg/kg. Blood and milk samples were collected at pre-determined times, and a microbiological assay method was used to measure erythromycin concentrations in serum and milk. The concentration-time data were analysed by compartmental and non-compartmental kinetic methods. The serum concentration-time data of erythromycin were fit to a two-compartment model after i.v. administration and a one-compartment model with first-order absorption after i.m. and s.c. administration. The elimination half-life (t(1/2beta)) was 4.502 +/- 1.487 h after i.v. administration, 4.874 +/- 0.296 h after i.m. administration and 6.536 +/- 0.151 h after s.c. administration. The clearance value (Cl tot) after i.v. dosing was 1.292 +/- 0.121 l/h/kg. After i.m. and s.c. administration, observed peak erthyromycin concentrations (Cmax) of 0.918 +/- 0.092 microg/ml and 0.787 +/- 0.010 microg/ml were achieved at 0.75 and 1.0 h (Tmax) respectively. The bioavailability obtained after i.m. and s.c. administration was 91.178 +/- 10.232% and 104.573 +/- 9.028% respectively. Erythromycin penetration from blood to milk was quick for all the routes of administration, and the high AUC milk/AUC serum (1.186, 1.057 and 1.108) and Cmax-milk/Cmax-serum ratios reached following i.v., i.m. and s.c. administration, respectively, indicated an extensive penetration of erythromycin into the milk.     

Pharmacokinetics and lung tissue concentrations of tulathromycin in swine

The absolute bioavailability and lung tissue distribution of the triamilide antimicrobial, tulathromycin, were investigated in swine. Fifty-six pigs received 2.5 mg/kg of tulathromycin 10% formulation by either intramuscular (i.m.) or intravenous (i.v.) route in two studies: study A (10 pigs, i.m. and 10 pigs, i.v.) and study B (36 pigs, i.m.). After i.m. administration the mean maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) was 616 ng/mL, which was reached by 0.25 h postinjection (t(max)). The mean apparent elimination half-life (t(1/2)) in plasma was 75.6 h. After i.v. injection plasma clearance (Cl) was 181 mL/kg.h, the volume of distribution at steady-state (V(ss)) was 13.2 L/kg and the elimination t(1/2) was 67.5 h. The systemic bioavailability following i.m. administration was >87% and the ratio of lung drug concentration for i.m. vs. i.v. injection was > or =0.96. Following i.m. administration, a mean tulathromycin concentration of 2840 ng/g was detected in lung tissue at 12 h postdosing. The mean lung C(max) of 3470 ng/g was reached by 24 h postdose (t(max)). Mean lung drug concentrations after 6 and 10 days were 1700 and 1240 ng/g, respectively. The AUC(inf) was 61.4 times greater for the lung than for plasma. The apparent elimination t(1/2) for tulathromycin in the lung was 142 h (6 days). Following i.m. administration to pigs at 2.5 mg/kg body weight, tulathromycin was rapidly absorbed and highly bioavailable. The high distribution to lung and slow elimination following a single dose of tulathromycin, are desirable pharmacokinetic attributes for an antimicrobial drug indicated for the treatment of respiratory disease in swine.     

Pharmacokinetics of ketorolac tromethamine in horses after intravenous,intramuscular, and oral single‐dose administration

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are an integral component of equine analgesia, yet currently available NSAIDs are both limited in their analgesic efficacy and have adverse effects. The NSAID ketorolac tromethamine (KT) is widely used in humans as a potent morphine‐sparing analgesic drug but has not been fully evaluated in horses. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of KT in horses after intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.), and oral (p.o.) administration. Nine healthy adult horses received a single 0.5‐mg/kg dose of KT via each route of administration. Plasma was collected up to 48 h postadministration and analyzed for KT concentration using HPLC/MS/MS. Noncompartmental analysis of i.v. dosage indicated a mean plasma clearance of 8.4 (mL/min)/kg and an estimated mean volume of distribution at steady‐state of 0.77 L/kg. Noncompartmental analysis of i.v., i.m., and p.o. dosages indicated mean residence times of 2.0, 2.6, and 7.1 h, respectively. The drug was rapidly absorbed after i.m. and p.o. administration, and mean bioavailability was 71% and 57% for i.m. and p.o. administration, respectively. Adverse effects were not observed after i.v., i.m., and p.o. administration. More studies are needed to evaluate the analgesic and anti‐inflammatory properties of KT in horses.     

Single intravenous and oral dose pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Plasma distribution and elimination of florfenicol in channel catfish were investigated after a single dose (10 mg/kg) of intravenous (i.v.) or oral administration in freshwater at a mean water temperature of 25.4 °C. Florfenicol concentrations in plasma were analyzed by means of liquid chromatography with MS/MS detection. After i.v. florfenicol injection, the terminal half-life (t(1/2)), volume of distribution at steady state (V(ss)), and central volume of distribution (V(c)) were 8.25 h, 0.9 and 0.381 L/kg, respectively. After oral administration of florfenicol, the terminal t(1/2), C(max), T(max), and oral bioavailability (F) were 9.11 h, 7.6 μg/mL, 9.2 h, and 1.09, respectively. There was a lag absorption time of 1.67 h in oral dosing. Results from these studies support that 10 mg florfenicol/kg body weight in channel catfish is an efficacious dosage following oral administration.     

The pharmacokinetics of maropitant, a novel neurokinin type-1 receptor antagonist, in dogs

Maropitant is the first NK1 receptor antagonist developed to treat and prevent emesis in dogs; it is administered by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection at 1 mg/kg, or orally (p.o.), in tablet form, at either 2 or 8 mg/kg depending on indication. The absolute bioavailability of maropitant was markedly higher (90.7%) following s.c. injection than after oral administration (23.7% at the 2 mg/kg dose and 37.0% at the 8 mg/kg dose). First-pass metabolism contributes to the low bioavailability of maropitant following oral administration. The difference in bioavailability between the two oral doses reflects the nonlinear kinetics characterizing the disposition of maropitant within the 2-8 mg/kg dose range. Systemic clearance of maropitant following intravenous (i.v.) administration was 970, 995 and 533 mL/h.kg at doses of 1, 2 and 8 mg/kg, respectively. Nonproportional kinetics were observed for p.o. administered maropitant at doses ranging from 2 to 16 mg/kg but dose proportionality was demonstrated at higher doses (20-50 mg/kg). Linearity was also demonstrated following s.c. administration at 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg. Maximum plasma drug concentration (Cmax) occurred 0.75 h (tmax) after s.c. administration at 1 mg/kg, and at 1.7 and 1.9 h after oral administration of 8 and 2 mg/kg doses, respectively. The apparent terminal half-life of maropitant was 7.75, 4.03 and 5.46 h after dosing at 1 mg/kg (s.c.), 2 mg/kg (p.o.) and 8 mg/kg (p.o.), respectively. Feeding status had no effect on oral bioavailability. Limited accumulation occurred following once-daily administration of maropitant for five consecutive days at 1 mg/kg (s.c.) or 2 mg/kg (p.o.). At the dose of 8 mg/kg (p.o.) once daily for two consecutive days, the mean AUC(0-24h) (second dose) was 218% that of the first dose value. Urinary recovery of maropitant and its main metabolite was minimal (<1%), thus supporting the evidence that maropitant clearance is primarily hepatic.     

Clinical pharmacokinetics of flumequine in calves

The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of flumequine for 249 Salmonella, 126 Escherichia coli, and 22 Pasteurella multocida isolates recovered from clinical cases of neonatal calf diarrhoea, pneumonia and sudden death was less than or equal to 0.78 microgram/ml. The pharmacokinetics of flumequine in calves was investigated after intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and oral administration. The two-compartment open model was used for the analysis of serum drug concentrations measured after rapid i.v. ('bolus') injection. The distribution half-life (t1/2 alpha) was 13 min, elimination half-life (t1/2 beta) was 2.25 h, the apparent area volume of distribution (Vd(area)), and the volume of distribution at steady state (Vd(ss)) were 1.48 and 1.43 l/kg, respectively. Flumequine was quickly and completely absorbed into the systemic circulation after i.m. administration of a soluble drug formulation; a mean peak serum drug concentration (Cmax) of 6.2 micrograms/ml was attained 30 min after treatment at 10 mg/kg and was similar to the concentration measured 30 min after an equal dose of the drug was injected i.v. On the other hand, the i.m. bioavailability of two injectable oily suspensions of the drug was 44%; both formulations failed to produce serum drug concentrations of potential clinical significance after administration at 20 mg/kg. The drug was rapidly absorbed after oral administration; the oral bioavailability ranged between 55.7% for the 5 mg/kg dose and 92.5% for the 20 mg/kg dose. Concomitant i.m. or oral administration of probenecid at 40 mg/kg did not change the Cmax of the flumequine but slightly decreased its elimination rate. Flumequine was 74.5% bound in serum. Kinetic data generated from single dose i.v., i.m. and oral drug administration were used to calculate practical dosage recommendations. Calculations showed that the soluble drug formulation should be administered i.m. at 25 mg/kg every 12 h, or alternatively at 50 mg/kg every 24 h. The drug should be administered orally at 30 and 60 mg/kg every 12 and 24 h, respectively. Very large, and in our opinion impractical, doses of flumequine formulated as oily suspension are required to produce serum drug concentrations of potential clinical value.     

Pharmacokinetics of azithromycin after intravenous and intramuscular administration to goats

Azithromycin is the first of a class of antimicrobial agents designated azalides. The aim of the present study was to investigate the disposition pharmacokinetics of azithromycin in goats and determine its bioavailability. A cross-over study was carried out in two phases separated by 30 days. Azithromycin was administered at a single dose of 20 mg/kg body weight by i.v. and i.m. routes. Plasma concentrations of azithromycin were determined by a modified agar diffusion bioassay. After a single i.v. dose plasma concentrations were best fitted to a three-compartment open model. A two-compartment open model with first-order absorption fitted best after i.m. administration. The values of the pharmacokinetic parameters after i.v. administration were: half-life 32.5 h, apparent volume of distribution at the steady-state 34.5 L/kg, clearance 0.85 L/kg. and mean residence time (MRT) 40.1 h. After i.m. administration half-life of 45.2 h, a MRT of 60.3 h, maximum plasma concentration 0.64 mg/L and a bioavalability 92.2% were obtained. The pharmacokinetic parameters of azithromycin after i.m. administration, principally its long half-life and high bioavailability, could provide an alternative to the oral route of administration in goats, although more studies are needed to establish a suitable pharmaceutical formulation, propose optimun dosage regimens, investigate clinical efficacy and study the tolerability of repeated doses.     

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of doxycycline in fasted and nonfasted broiler chickens

The pharmacokinetics and the influence of food on the kinetic profile and bioavailability of doxycycline was studied after a single intravenous (i.v.) and oral dose of 10.0 mg/kg body weight in 7-week-old broiler chickens. Following i.v. administration the drug was rapidly distributed in the body with a distribution half-life of 0.21 +/- 0.01 h. The elimination half-life of 6.78 +/- 0.06 h was relatively long and resulted from both a low total body clearance of 0.139 +/- 0.007 L/h.kg and a large volume of distribution of 1.36 +/- 0.06 L/kg. After oral administration to fasted chickens, the absorption of doxycycline was quite fast and substantial as shown by the absorption half-life of 0.39 +/- 0.03 h, the maximal plasma concentration of 4.47 +/- 0.16 micrograms/mL and the time to reach the Cmax of 1.73 +/- 0.06 h. The distribution and the final elimination of the drug were slower than after i.v. administration. The absolute bioavailability was 73.4 +/- 2.5%. The presence of food in the intestinal tract reduced and extended the absorption (t1/2a = 1.23 +/- 0.21 h; Cmax = 3.07 +/- 0.23 micrograms/mL; tmax = 3.34 +/- 0.21 h). The absolute bioavailability was reduced to 61.1% +/- 4.4%.