Pharmacokinetics of difloxacin in goats

The pharmacokinetic properties of difloxacin following intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration in goats were investigated. Difloxacin was administered in a single dose of 5 mg/kg body weight for both routes and was assayed in biological fluids (serum and urine) to determine its concentrations, kinetic behaviour and systemic availability. Following a single i.v. injection, the serum difloxacin level was best approximated to follow a two-compartment open model using weighted non-linear regression analysis. The elimination half-life (t1/2 beta) was 6.3 +/- 0.11 h. The volume of distribution at steady-state (Vdss) was 1.1 +/- 0.012 L/kg and the total body clearance (Cltot) was 0.13 +/- 0.001 L/kg/h. Following a single i.m. administration, difloxacin was rapidly absorbed and the mean peak serum concentration (4.1 +/- 0.23 micrograms/ml) was achieved 1 h post administration. The extent of serum protein binding of difloxacin in goats was 13.79 +/- 1.02% and the systemic availability was 95.4 +/- 1.17%. Following i.m. injection of difloxacin at a dose rate of 5 mg/kg b.wt for 5 consecutive days, the drug could not be detected in serum and urine at 4th day from the last injection.     

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.     

Disposition Kinetics of Difloxacin After Intravenous,Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Administration in Calves

The pharmacokinetics of difloxacin (Dicural) was studied in a crossover study using three groups (n = 4) of male and female Friesian calves after intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) administrations of 5 mg/kg body weight. Drug concentration in plasma was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography using fluorescence detection. The plasma concentration–time data following i.v. administration were best fitted to a two-compartment open model and those following i.m. and s.c. routes were best fitted using one-compartment open model. The collected data were subjected to a computerized kinetic analysis. The mean i.v., i.m. and s.c. elimination half-lives (t _1/2β) were 5.56 ± 0.33 h, 6.12 ± 0.42 h and 7.26 ± 0.6 h, respectively. The steady-state volume of distribution (V _dss) was 1.12 ± 0.09 L/kg and total body clearance (Cl_B) was 2.19 ± 0.1 ml/(min. kg). The absorption half lives (t _1/2ab) were 0.38 ± 0.027 h and 2.1 ± 0.09 h, with systemic bioavailabilities (F) of 96.5% ± 6.4% and 84% ± 5.5% after i.m. and s.c. administration, respectively. After i.m. and s.c. dosing, peak plasma concentrations (C _max) of 3.38 ± 0.13 μg/ml and 2.18 ± 0.12 μg/ml were attained after (t _max) 1.22 ± 0.20 h and 3.7 ± 0.52 h. The MIC₉₀ of difloxacin for Mannheimia haemolytica was 0.29 ± 0.04 μg/ml. The AUC/MIC₉₀ and C _max/MIC₉₀ ratios for difloxacin following i.m. administration were 120 and 11.65, respectively and following s.c. administration were 97.58 and 7.51, respectively. Difloxacin was 31.7–36.8% bound to calf plasma protein. Since fluoroquinolones display concentration-dependent activities, the doses of difloxacin used in this study are likely to involve better pharmacodynamic characteristics that are associated with greater clinical efficacy following i.m. administration than following s.c. administration.     

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%.     

Disposition kinetics and pharmacokinetics--pharmacodynamic integration of difloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus isolates from rabbits

The pharmacokinetics of difloxacin were studied following intravenous (IV), subcutaneous (SC) and oral administration of 5mg/kg to healthy white New Zealand rabbits (n = 6). Difloxacin concentrations were determined by HPLC assay with fluorescence detection. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) assay of difloxacin against different strains of S. aureus from different european countries was performed in order to compute the main pharmacodynamic surrogate markers. The plasma difloxacin clearance (Cl) for the IV route was (mean +/- SD) 0.41 +/- 0.05 L/h kg. The steady-state volume of distribution (V(ss)) was 1.95 +/- 0.17 L/kg. The terminal half-life [Formula: see text] was (mean+/-SD) 4.19+/-0.34 h, 7.53 +/- 1.32 h and 8.00 +/- 0.45 h after IV, IM and oral, respectively. From this data, it seems that a 5 mg/kg dose difloxacin would be effective by SC and oral routes in rabbits against bacterial isolates with MIC0.1 microg/mL.     

Pharmacokinetics and intramuscular bioavailability of difloxacin in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Single-dose disposition kinetics of difloxacin (5mg/kg bodyweight) were determined in clinically normal male dromedary camels (n=6) following intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration. Difloxacin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The concentration-time data were analysed by compartmental and non-compartmental kinetic methods. Following a single IV injection, the plasma difloxacin concentration-time curve was best described by a two-compartment open model, with a distribution half-life (t(1/2alpha)) of 0.22+/-0.02h and an elimination half-life (t(1/2beta)) of 2.97+/-0.31h. Steady-state volume of distribution (V(dss)) and total body clearance (Cl(tot)) were 1.02+/-0.21L/kg and 0.24+/-0.07L/kg/h, respectively. Following IM administration, the absorption half-life (t(1)(/)(2ab)) and the mean absorption time (MAT) were 0.44+/-0.03h and 1.53+/-0.22h, respectively. The peak plasma concentration (C(max)) of 2.84+/-0.34microg/mL was achieved at 1.42+/-0.21h. The elimination half-life (t(1/2el)) and the mean residence time (MRT) was 3.46+/-0.42h and 5.61+/-0.23h, respectively. The in vitro plasma protein binding of difloxacin ranged from 28-43% and the absolute bioavailability following IM administration was 93.51+/-11.63%. Difloxacin could be useful for the treatment of bacterial infections in camels that are sensitive to this drug.     

Pharmacokinetics of difloxacin after intravenous, intramuscular, and intragastric administration to horses

OBJECTIVE: To study the pharmacokinetics of difloxacin (5 mg/kg) following IV, IM, and intragastric (IG) administration to healthy horses. ANIMALS: 6 healthy mature horses. PROCEDURES: A crossover study design with 3 phases was used (15-day washout periods between treatments). An injectable formulation of difloxacin (5%) was administered IV and IM in single doses (5 mg/kg); for IG administration, an oral solution was prepared and administered via nasogastric tube. Blood samples were collected before and at intervals after each administration. A high-performance liquid chromatography assay with fluorescence detection was used to determine plasma difloxacin concentrations. Pharmacokinetic parameters of difloxacin were analyzed. Plasma creatine kinase activity was monitored to assess tissue damage. RESULTS: Difloxacin plasma concentration versus time data after IV administration were best described by a 2-compartment open model. The disposition of difloxacin following IM or IG administration was best described by a 1-compartment model. Mean half-life for difloxacin administered IV, IM, and IG was 2.66, 5.72, and 10.75 hours, respectively. Clearance after IV administration was 0.28 L/kg.h. After IM administration, the absolute mean +/- SD bioavailability was 95.81 +/- 3.11% and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was 1.48 +/- 0.12 mg/L. After IG administration, the absolute bioavailability was 68.62 +/- 10.60% and Cmax was 0.732 +/- 0.05 mg/L. At 12 hours after IM administration, plasma creatine kinase activity had increased 7-fold, compared with the preinjection value. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Data suggest that difloxacin is likely to be effective for treating susceptible bacterial infections in horses.     

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of nimesulide in goats

The pharmacokinetic properties and bioavailability of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug nimesulide were investigated in female goats following intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration at a dose of 4 mg/kg BW. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture at predetermined times after drug administration. Plasma concentrations of nimesulide were determined by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method. Plasma concentration-time data were subjected to compartmental analysis and pharmacokinetic parameters for nimesulide after i.v. and i.m. administration were calculated according to two- and one-compartment open models respectively. Following i.v. administration, a rapid distribution phase was followed by the slower elimination phase. The half-lives during the distribution phase (t1/2alpha) and terminal elimination phase (t1/2beta) were 0.11+/-0.10 and 7.99+/-2.23 h respectively. The steady-state volume of distribution (Vd(ss)), total body clearance (ClB) and mean residence time (MRT) of nimesulide were 0.64+/-0.13 L/kg, 0.06+/-0.02 L/h/kg and 11.72+/-3.42 h respectively. After i.m. administration, maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of nimesulide was 2.83+/-1.11 microg/mL attained at 3.6+/-0.89 h (tmax). Plasma drug levels were detectable up to 72 h. Following i.m. injection, the t1/2beta and MRT of nimesulide were 1.63 and 1.73 times longer, respectively, than the i.v. administration. The bioavailability of nimesulide was 68.25% after i.m. administration at 4 mg/kg BW. These pharmacokinetic data suggest that nimesulide given intramuscularly may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory disease conditions in goats.     

Pharmacokinetics of difloxacin in pigs and broilers following intravenous, intramuscular, and oral single-dose applications

Pharmacokinetics of difloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, was determined in pigs and broilers after intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.), or oral (p.o.) administration at a single dose of five (pigs) or 10 mg/kg (broilers). Plasma concentration profiles were analyzed by a compartmental pharmacokinetic method. Following i.v., i.m. and p.o. doses, the elimination half-lives (t(1/2beta)) were 17.14 +/- 4.14, 25.79 +/- 8.10, 16.67 +/- 4.04 (pigs) and 6.11 +/- 1.50, 5.64 +/- 0.74, 8.20 +/- 3.12 h (broilers), respectively. After single i.m. and p.o. administration, difloxacin was rapidly absorbed, with peak plasma concentrations (C(max)) of 1.77 +/- 0.66, 2.29 +/- 0.85 (pigs) and 2.51 +/- 0.36, 1.00 +/- 0.21 microg/mL (broilers) attained at t(max) of 1.29 +/- 0.26, 1.41 +/- 0.88 (pigs) and 0.86 +/- 0.4, 4.34 +/- 2.40 h (broilers), respectively. Bioavailabilities (F) were (95.3 +/- 28.9)% and (105.7 +/- 37.1)% (pigs) and (77.0 +/- 11.8)% and (54.2 +/- 12.6)% (broilers) after i.m. and p.o. doses, respectively. Apparent distribution volumes(V(d(area))) of 4.91 +/- 1.88 and 3.10 +/- 0.67 L/kg and total body clearances(Cl(B)) of 0.20 +/- 0.06 and 0.37 +/- 0.10 L/kg/h were determined in pigs and broilers, respectively. Areas under the curve (AUC), the half-lives of both absorption and distribution(t(1/2ka), t(1/2alpha)) were also determined. Based on the single-dose pharmacokinetic parameters determined, multiple dosage regimens were recommended as: a dosage of 5 mg/kg given intramuscularly every 24 h in pigs, or administered orally every 24 h at the dosage of 10 mg/kg in broilers, can maintain effective plasma concentrations with bacteria infections, in which MIC(90) are <0.25 microg/mL and <0.1 microg/mL respectively.     

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.     

Pharmacokinetic behavior of marbofloxacin after intravenous and intramuscular administrations in adult goats

The pharmacokinetic behavior of marbofloxacin was studied in goats after single-dose intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administrations of 2 mg/kg bodyweight. Drug concentration in plasma was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the data collected were subjected to compartmental and noncompartmental kinetic analysis. This compound presented a relatively high volume of distribution (Vss=1.31 L/kg), which suggests good tissue penetration, and a total body clearance (Cl) of 0.23 L/kg small middle doth, which is related to a long elimination half-life (t1/2beta=7.18 h and 6.70 h i.v. and i.m., respectively). Pharmacokinetic parameters were not significantly different between both routes of administration. Marbofloxacin was rapidly absorbed after i.m. administration (Tmax=0.9 h) and had high bioavailability (F=100.74%).     

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.     

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 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.     

Comparative Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability of Amoxycillin in Chickens after Intravenous,Intramuscular and Oral Administrations

The pharmacokinetics and systemic bioavailability of amoxycillin were investigated in clinically healthy, broiler chickens (n = 10 per group) after single intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.), and oral administrations at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight. The plasma concentrations of amoxycillin were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the data were subjected to compartmental and non-compartmental kinetic analyses. Following single i.v. injection, all plasma amoxycillin data were described by a two compartment-open model. The elimination half-lives of amoxycillin were 1.07 h, 1.09 h and 1.13 h after single i.v., i.m. and oral administration, respectively. The total body clearance (Cl(B)) of amoxycillin was 0.80 (L/h)/kg and the volume of distribution calculated as V(d(area)) was 1.12 L/kg, respectively after i.v. administration. Substantial differences in the resultant kinetic data were obtained by comparing the plasma concentration profiles after i.m. injection with that after oral administration. The systemic i.m. bioavailability of amoxycillin was higher (77.21%) than after oral (60.92%) dosing. In vitro, the mean plasma protein binding of amoxycillin amounted to 8.27%. Owing to high clearance of amoxycillin in birds in our study, a plasma level was maintained above 0.25 microg/ml for only 6 h after i.m. and oral routes of administration and consequently frequent dosing may be necessary daily.     

Pharmacokinetics of a long-acting chloramphenicol formulation administered by intramuscular and subcutaneous routes in cattle

The pharmacokinetic properties of a long-acting formulation of chloramphenicol were determined in six yearling cattle after a single intravenous (i.v.) administration (40 mg/kg body weight) and after two sequential subcutaneous (s.c.) or intramuscular (i.m.) administrations (90 mg/kg/48 h). The two extravascular routes were studied during a crossover trial for a bioequivalence test. After i.v. administration, the plasma concentration-time graph was characteristic of a two-compartment open model. Mean values were a half-life of 4.1 h, a volume of distribution of 0.86 l/kg and a body clearance of 0.128 l/kg/h. Plasma concentrations of chloramphenicol following i.m. and s.c. administrations increased slowly to a broad peak at 10-15 micrograms/ml between 9 and 12 h. Bioavailability was 19.1% after i.m. injection and 12.4% after s.c. administration. The extent of absorption from the two routes did not differ significantly. The rate of absorption was significantly lower after s.c. application than it was after i.m. injection. The time necessary for the plasma concentration to exceed 5 micrograms/ml was the same for the two routes. Thus, i.m. and s.c. routes are bioequivalent.     

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of flunixin after intravenous, intramuscular and oral administration to dairy goats

The pharmacokinetics and the prostaglandin (PG) synthesis inhibiting effect of flunixin were determined in 6 Norwegian dairy goats. The dose was 2.2 mg/kg body weight administered by intravenous (i.v.). intramuscular (i.m.) and oral (p.o.) routes using a cross-over design. Plasma flunixin content was analysed by use of liquid chromatography and the PG synthesis was evaluated by measuring plasma 15-ketodihydro-PGF2alpha by a radioimmuno-assay. Results are presented as median (range). The elimination half-lives (t(1/2) x lambda) were 3.6 (2.0-5.0), 3.4 (2.6-6.8) and 4.3 (3.4-6.1) h for i.v., i.m. and p.o. administration, respectively. Volume of distribution at steady state (Vd(ss)) was 0.35 (0.23-0.4 1) L/kg and clearance (CL), 110 (60-160) mL/h/kg. The plasma concentrations after oral administration showed a double-peak phenomenon with the two peaks occurring at 0.37 (0.25-1) and 3.5 (2.5-5.0) h, respectively. Both peaks were in the same order of magnitude. Bioavailability was 79 (53-112) and 58 (35%-120)% for i.m. and p.o. administration, respectively. 15-Ketodihydro-PGF2, plasma concentrations decreased after flunixin administration independent of the route of administration.     

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.     

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.     

Pharmacokinetics and tissue residues of norfloxacin and its N-desethyl- and oxo-metabolites in healthy pigs

The pharmacokinetic properties of norfloxacin were determined in healthy pigs after single intramuscular (i.m.) and intravenous (i.v.) dosage of 8 mg/kg body weight After i.m. and i.v. administration, the plasma concentration-time graph was characteristic of a two-compartment open model. After single i.m. administration, norfloxacin was absorbed rapidly, with a t _max of 1.46 ± 0.06 h. The elimination half-life ( t _1/2β) and the mean residence time of norfloxacin in plasma were 4.99 ± 0.28 and 6.05 ± 0.22 h, respectively, after i.m. administration and 3.65 ± 0.16 and 3.34 ± 0.16 h, respectively, after i.v. administration. Intramuscular bioavailability was found to be 53.7 ± 4.4%. Plasma concentrations greater than 0.2 μg/mL were achieved at 20 min and persisted up to 8 h post-administration. Maximal plasma concentration was 1.11 ± 0.03 μg/mL. Statistically significant differences between the two routes of administration were found for the half-lives of both distribution and elimination phases ( t _1/2α, t _1/2β) and apparent volume of distribution (V_d(area)). In pigs, norfloxacin was mainly converted to desethylenenorfloxacln and oxonorfloxacin. Considerable tissue concentrations of norfloxacin, desethylenenorfloxacin, and oxonorfloxacin were found when norfloxacin was administered intramuscularly (8 mg/kg on 4 consecutive days). The concentration of the parent fluoroquinolone in liver and kidney ranged between 0.015 and 0.017 μg/g on day 12 after the end of dosing.