Pharmacokinetics of tramadol and o-desmethyltramadol in goats after intravenous and oral administration

The aim of this trial was to implement a method to obtain a tool for analyses of tramadol and the main metabolite, o-desmethyltramadol (M1), in goat's plasma, and to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of these substances following intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration in female goats. The pharmacokinetics of tramadol and M1 were examined following i.v. or p.o. tramadol administration to six female goats (2 mg/kg). Average retention time was 5.13 min for tramadol and 2.42 min for M1. The calculated parameters for half-life, volume of distribution and total body clearance were 0.94+/-0.34 h, 2.48+/-0.58 L/kg and 2.18+/-0.23 L/kg/h following 2 mg/kg tramadol HCl administered intravenously. The systemic availability was 36.9+/-9.1% and half-life 2.67+/-0.54 h following tramadol 2 mg/kg p.o. M1 had a half-life of 2.89+/-0.43 h following i.v. administration of tramadol. Following p.o., M1 was not detectable.     

Pharmacokinetics of Amoxicillin Trihydrate in Desert Sheep and Nubian Goats

The pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin were studied in five Desert sheep and five Nubian goats after intravenous (i.v.) or intramuscular (i.m.) administration of a single dose of 10 mg/kg body weight. Following i.v. injection, the plasma concentration-versus-time data were best described by a two-compartment open model. The kinetic variables were similar in both species except for the volume of the central compartment (V_c), which was larger in sheep (p<0.05). Following i.m. injection, except for the longer half-life time of absorption in goats (p<0.05), there were no significant differences in other pharmacokinetic parameters between sheep and goats. The route of amoxicillin administration had no significant effect on the terminal elimination half-life in either species. The bioavailability of the drug (F) after i.m. administration was high (>0.90) in both species. These results indicate that the pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin did not differ between sheep and goats; furthermore, because of the high availability and short half-life of absorption, the i.m. route gives similar results to the i.v. route. Therefore, identical intramuscular and intravenous dose regimens should be applicable to both species.     

Elimination of salicylic acid in goats and cattle

Sodium salicylate was administered to cattle and goats IV and PO according to a crossover design. Total urinary excretion of SA and its metabolites was measured for 3 days after dosing. Salicyluric acid (SUA) was the only metabolite detected in urine of either species. Recovery of sodium salicylate and SUA in goats amounted to 67.9 and 34.6% of the dose, respectively, after IV administration. After oral dosing, total recoveries were 30.2% (sodium salicylate) and 71.7% (SUA) of dose. By comparison, cattle excreted significantly (P less than 0.05) less sodium salicylate (54.0%) and more SUA (49.9%) after IV dosing. The same pattern was observed after oral administration, wherein cattle excreted less than 12% as sodium salicylate and more than 99% as SUA. In both species, almost 90% of the drug excreted as sodium salicylate was found in urine within the first 12 hours after an IV dose and within 24 hours after oral dosing. The excretion of SUA was somewhat slower in both species, especially after oral administration. The data suggested that there were only quantitative differences in the metabolism and elimination of sodium salicylate between the 2 species, with cattle excreting a higher proportion of the drug as the glycine conjugate SUA.     

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.     

Disposition kinetics of tylosin administered intravenously and intramuscularly in desert sheep and Nubian goats

The pharmacokinetic behaviour of tylosin was compared in five Desert sheep and five Nubian goats. The animals were given a single dose of 20% tylosin (15 mg/kg), either intravenously (i.v.) or intramuscularly (i.m.). Following i.v. administration, the volumes of distribution and the elimination half-life times were similar in both species, whereas in goats a greater volume of the central compartment and faster clearance were observed. For the i.m. route, similar pharmacokinetics were observed in both species. The bioavailability (f) of the drug in goats (0.84 +/- 0.11) was not significantly higher than that in sheep (0.73 +/- 0.08). The present study has shown that, despite the significant differences in some of the drug pharmacokinetic parameters between sheep and goats for the i.v. route, identical intravenous and intramuscular dosage regimens of tylosin may be recommended for the two species.     

Disposition of tylosin in goats

The disposition kinetics of tylosin was studied in goats after intravenous (i.v.) or intramuscular (i.m.) injection of 15 mg/kg body wt. Following i.v. injection, tylosin was rapidly and widely distributed with a distribution half-life of 0.2 h and volume of distribution of 1.7 l/kg. It was slowly eliminated with a mean elimination half-life of 3.04 h and a total body clearance rate of 6.8 ml/kg/min. Following i.m. injection, tylosin was slowly absorbed (tau 1/2 ab of 1.82 h). Tylosin concentration in serum was greater than 1 microgram/ml after 1 h and persisted up to 12 h post-injection. The peak concentration (Cmax 2.38 micrograms/ml) was obtained after 4.19 h. The systemic bioavailability of tylosin injected intramuscularly was 72.6% and the serum protein bound fraction was 37.59% of the total drug. Tylosin was excreted in milk and urine at concentrations much higher than that in serum. Low concentrations of tylosin were reported in ruminal juice of goats. In conclusion tylosin should be injected every 14 h to obtain an appreciable concentration in serum, milk and urine.     

Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol and its metabolite, florfenicol amine, in dogs

A study on the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of florfenicol was conducted in six healthy dogs following a single intravenous (i.v.) or oral (p.o.) dose of 20 mg kg(-1) body weight (b.w.). Florfenicol concentrations in serum were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Plasma concentration-time data after p.o. or i.v. administration were analyzed by a non-compartmental analysis. Following i.v. injection, the total body clearance was 1.03 (0.49) L kg(-1)h(-1) and the volume of distribution at steady-state was 1.45 (0.82) L kg(-1). Florfenicol was rapidly distributed and eliminated following i.v. injection with 1.11 (0.94)h of the elimination half-life. After oral administration, the calculated mean C(max) values (6.18 microg ml(-1)) were reached at 0.94 h in dogs. The elimination half-life of florfenicol was 1.24 (0.64) h and the absolute bioavailability (F) was achieved 95.43 (11.60)% after oral administration of florfenicol. Florfenicol amine, the major metabolite of florfenicol, was detected in all dogs after i.v. and p.o. administrations.     

Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol and its major metabolite, florfenicol amine, in rabbits

The pharmacokinetics of florfenicol and its active metabolite florfenicol amine were investigated in rabbits after a single intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration of florfenicol at 20 mg/kg bodyweight. The plasma concentrations of florfenicol and florfenicol amine were determined simultaneously by an LC/MS method. After i.v. injection, the terminal half-life (t(1/2lambdaz)), steady-state volume of distribution, total body clearance and mean residence time of florfenicol were 0.90 +/- 0.20 h, 0.94 +/- 0.19 L/kg, 0.63 +/- 0.06 L/h/kg and 1.50 +/- 0.34 h respectively. The peak concentrations (C(max)) of florfenicol (7.96 +/- 2.75 microg/mL) after p.o. administration were observed at 0.90 +/- 0.38 h. The t(1/2lambdaz) and p.o. bioavailability of florfenicol were 1.42 +/- 0.56 h and 76.23 +/- 12.02% respectively. Florfenicol amine was detected in all rabbits after i.v. and p.o. administration. After i.v. and p.o. administration of florfenicol, the observed Cmax values of florfenicol amine (5.06 +/- 1.79 and 3.38 +/- 0.97 microg/mL) were reached at 0.88 +/- 0.78 and 2.10 +/- 1.08 h respectively. Florfenicol amine was eliminated with an elimination half-life of 1.84 +/- 0.17 and 2.35 +/- 0.94 h after i.v. and p.o. administration respectively.     

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.     

Disposition of ofloxacin in female New Zealand White rabbits

Limited information exists regarding the disposition of ofloxacin in rabbits. Pharmacokinetic information is necessary for the design of appropriate therapeutic regimens for the treatment of organisms (e.g. Pasteurella multocida ) commonly infecting this species. This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin following intravenous (i.v.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) administration. Two groups of three female New Zealand White rabbits received a single dose of 20 or 40 mg/kg by the i.v. and s.c. routes. Samples were collected prior to drug administration, then 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 h postdose. Ofloxacin concentrations in serum were determined using a validated HPLC assay. Mean maximum concentrations were 66.86 ± 10.83 mg/L and 14.1 ± 2.20 mg/L for the i.v. and s.c. administration of 20 mg/kg. The 40 mg/kg dose produced maximum concentrations of 154.96 ± 35.45 mg/L and 23.83 ± 4.01 mg/L for the i.v. and s.c. doses, respectively. The area under concentration–time curve increased proportionally with the dose, while the half-life was unaltered and ranged from 1.5–1.9 h. From these data, it appears that a 20 mg/kg dose administered every 8 h by the s.c. route would optimize the pharmacodynamic profile of ofloxacin and provide an appropriate regimen for the treatment of many susceptible organisms which commonly infect this species.     

Intravenous and intramuscular pharmacokinetics of a single-daily dose of disodium-fosfomycin in cattle, administered for 3 days

Pharmacokinetic parameters of fosfomycin in cattle were determined after administration of buffered disodium fosfomycin either intravenously (i.v.) or intramuscularly (i.m.) at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day for 3 days. Calculated concentrations at time zero and maximum serum concentrations were 34.42 and 10.18 mug/mL, respectively. The variables determined, the elimination half-life of the drug remained unchanged during the 3 days ( = 1.33 +/- 0.3 h for the i.v. route and = 2.17 +/- 0.4 h for the i.m. route). Apparent volumes of distribution suggest moderated distribution out of the central compartment (V(darea) = 673 mL +/- 27 mL/kg and V(dss) = 483 +/- 11 mL/kg). Bioavailability after i.m. administration was 74.52%. Considering fosfomycin as a time-dependent antibacterial drug, plasma concentration vs. time profiles obtained in this study, suggest that clinically effective plasma concentrations of fosfomycin could be obtained for up to 8 h following i.v. administration and approximately 10 h after i.m. injection of 20 mg/kg, for susceptible bacteria. In addition to residue studies in milk and edible tissues, a series of clinical assessments, using fosfomycin at 20 mg/kg b.i.d. or t.i.d. are warranted before this antibacterial drug should be considered for use in cattle.     

Clorsulon pharmacokinetics in sheep and goats following oral and intravenous administration

Clorsulon was measured in plasma and urine of sheep and goats after administration of a single intravenous (i.v.) and after a single oral dose of 7 mg/kg. A three-compartment model with elimination occurring from the central compartment was determined to best describe the i.v. data, whereas a one-compartment model with a single exponential absorption phase best described the oral plasma data. The bioavailability of orally administered clorsulon was approximately 55% in goats and 60% in sheep. Peak plasma concentrations occurred at 14 h and 15 h after oral administration in goats and sheep, respectively. Absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract effectively prolonged the elimination of clorsulon by increasing the elimination half-life from 17 to 28 h in sheep and from 12 to 23 h in goats for the i.v. and oral routes, respectively. In both goats and sheep, approximately 50% of the i.v. dose was recovered in urine as parent drug at 48 h after administration, whereas 41% and 30% of the dose was recovered after oral administration for goats and sheep, respectively. The elimination rate constant (kel) in goats was nearly twice as large as the value determined in sheep, and the urea under the i.v. plasma curve in goats was only 63% of the value in sheep indicating that goats are more effective in their capacity to eliminate clorsulon than are sheep. These differences in drug disposition between sheep and goats may account for the reduced efficacy of clorsulon reported in goats.     

Pharmacokinetics of metoclopramide in goats

The pharmacokinetics of a parenteral formulation of metoclopramide (monochloride monohydrate) were determined following single intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) 0.5-mg/kg doses to two groups of 4 goats in a crossover design. Mean serum concentrations of metoclopramide following i.v. administration of 0.5 mg/kg declined rapidly from a peak of 277.5 ng/ml at 3 min post-dosing to 25 ng/ml at 90 min. Serum concentrations were not detectable by 120 min after drug administration. The curve of serum concentrations vs. time was characteristic of a two-compartment open model. Mean parameters from analysis of the individual i.v. data gave a biological half-life of 0.62 h and a volume of distribution of the central compartment of 1.34 l/kg. Serum concentrations of metoclopramide following i.m. administration of 0.5 mg/kg rose rapidly to a peak of 160.9 ng/ml at 15 min post-dosing and then declined in parallel with the elimination phase of the i.v. study. These data were best described by a two-compartment open model with first-order absorption. The mean biological half-life was 1.04 h. There were no adverse reactions associated with metoclopramide at the 0.5-mg/kg dose administered by either route.     

Influence of Pasteurella multocida infection on the pharmacokinetic behavior of marbofloxacin after intravenous and intramuscular administrations in rabbits

Abo-El-Sooud, K., Goudah, A. Influence of Pasteurella multocida infection on the pharmacokinetic behavior of marbofloxacin after intravenous and intramuscular administrations in rabbits. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 33 , 63–68.
The pharmacokinetic behavior of marbofloxacin was studied in healthy ( n  = 12) and Pasteurella multocida infected rabbits ( n  = 12) after single intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administrations. Six rabbits in each group (control and diseased) were given a single dose of 2 mg/kg body weight (bw) of marbofloxacin intravenously. The other six rabbits in each group were given the same dose of the drug intramuscularly. The concentration of marbofloxacin in plasma was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The plasma concentrations were higher in diseased rabbits than in healthy rabbits following both routes of injections. Following i.v. administration, the values of the elimination half-life ( t _1/2β), and area under the curve were significantly higher, whereas total body clearance was significantly lower in diseased rabbits. After i.m. administration, the elimination half-life ( t _1/2el), mean residence time, and maximum plasma concentration ( C _max) were higher in diseased rabbits (5.33 h, 7.35 h and 2.24 μg/mL) than in healthy rabbits (4.33 h, 6.81 h and 1.81 μg/mL, respectively). Marbofloxacin was bound to the extent of 26 ± 1.3% and 23 ± 1.6% to plasma protein of healthy and diseased rabbits, respectively. The C _max /MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and AUC/MIC ratios were significantly higher in diseased rabbits (28 and 189 h) than in healthy rabbits (23 and 157 h), indicating the favorable pharmacodynamic characteristics of the drug in diseased rabbits.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics of theophylline in camels (Camelus dromedarius) and goats (Caprus hircus)

A comparative randomized crossover study was conducted to determine the pharmacokinetics of theophylline in male and female camels (Camelus dromedarius) and goats (Caprus hircus). Theophylline is an established 'probe drug' to evaluate the drug metabolizing enzyme activity of animals. It was administered by the intravenous (i.v.) route and then intramuscularly (i.m.) at a dose of 2 mg/kg. The concentration of the drug in plasma was measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique on samples collected at frequent intervals after administration. Following i.v. injection, the overall elimination rate constant (lambda z,) in goats was 0.006 +/- 0.00076/min and in camels was 0.0046 +/- 0.0008/min (P < 0.01). The elimination half-life (t 1/2 lambda z) in goats (112 .7 min) was lower than in camels (154.7 min) (P < 0.01). The apparent volume of distribution (Vz) and the total body clearance (Cl) in goats were 1440.1 +/- 166.6 ml/kg and 8.9 +/- 1.4 ml/min/kg, respectively. The corresponding values in camels were 1720.3 +/- 345.3 ml/kg and 6.1 +/- 1.0 ml/min/kg, respectively. After i.m. administration, theophylline reached a peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of 1.8 +/- 0.1 and 1.7 +/- 0.2 microg/ml at a post-injection time (Tmax) of 67.5 +/- 8.6 and 122.3 +/- 6.7 min in goats and camels, respectively. The mean bioavailability (T) in both goats and camels was 0.9 +/- 0.2. The above data suggest that camels eliminate theophylline at a slower rate than goats.     

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of ketoprofen after intravenous and intramuscular administration in camels

The pharmacokinetics of ketoprofen were determined after an intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) dose of 2.0 mg/kg body weight in five camels (Camelus dromedarius) using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The data obtained (median and range) following i.v. administration was as follows: the elimination half-life (t(1/2beta)) was 4.16 (2.65-4.29) h, the steady state volume of distribution (Vss) was 130.2 (103.4-165.3) mL/kg, volume of distribution (area method) (Vd(area)) was 321.5 (211.4-371.0) mL/kg, total body clearance (Cl) was 1.00 (0.88-1.08) mL/min x kg and renal clearance was 0.01 (0.003-0.033) mL/min x kg. Following i.m. administration, the drug was rapidly absorbed with peak serum concentration of 12.2 (4.80-14.4) microg/mL at 1.50 (1.00-2.00) h. The systemic availability of ketoprofen was complete. The apparent half-life was 3.28 (2.56-4.14) h. A hydroxylated metabolite of ketoprofen was identified by (GC/MS) under electron impact (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) scan modes. The detection times for ketoprofen and hydroxy ketoprofen in urine after an intravenous (i.v.) dose of 3.0 mg/kg body weight was 24.00 and 70.00 h, respectively. Serum protein binding of ketoprofen at 20 microg/mL was extensive; (99.1+/-0.15%).     

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, bioavailability and dosage regimen of sulphadiazine (SDZ) in camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The pharmacokinetics of sulphadiazine (SDZ) (100 mg/kg, body weight) were investigated in six camels ( Camelus dromedarius ) after intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration. Following i.v. administration, the overall elimination rate constant (β) was 0.029±0.001/h and the half-life ( t _½β) was 23.14±1.06 h. The apparent volume of distribution ( V d_(area)) was 0.790±0.075 L/kg and the total body clearance ( Cl _B) was 23.29±2.50 mL/h/kg. After p.o. administration, SDZ reached a peak plasma concentration ( C _max(cal.)) of 62.93±2.79 μg/mL at a post injection time of ( T _max(cal.)) 22.98±0.83 h. The elimination half-life was 19.79±1.22 h, not significantly different from that obtained by the i.v. route. The mean absorption rate constant (K_a) was 0.056±0.002 h⁻¹ and the mean absorption half-life ( t _½Ka) was 12.33±0.37 h. The mean availability ( F ) of sulphadiazine was 88.2±6.2%.
  To achieve and maintain therapeutically satisfactory plasma SDZ levels of 50 μg/mL, the priming and maintenance doses would be 80 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg intravenously and 90 mg/kg and 45 mg/kg orally, respectively, to be repeated at 24 h intervals.     

Identification and comparison of marbofloxacin metabolites from the plasma of ball pythons (Python regius) and blue and gold macaws (Ara ararauna)

Marbofloxacin is a veterinary only, synthetic, broad spectrum fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent. In mammals, approximately 40% of the oral dose of marbofloxacin is excreted unchanged in the urine; the remaining is excreted via the bile as unchanged drug in the feces. The V _d ranges from 1.1 (cattle) to 1.3 (dog, goat, swine) L/kg. Because of extra-label use of marbofloxacin in birds and reptiles, this study was designed to determine the profile of metabolites in plasma and compare the circulating metabolite profile between a reptile and an avian species. Six adult ball pythons ( Python regius ) and 10 blue and gold macaws ( Ara ararauna ) were used in this study. The macaws were dosed both i.v. and p.o. with a single 2.5 mg/kg administration where as the pythons received a single 10 mg/kg dose both i.v. and p.o. The metabolite profiles of marbofloxacin in the plasma of these species were determined using a high performance liquid chromatography system with a mass spectrometer for detection (LC/MS/MS). Mass spectra data generated from the snake and bird plasma samples were compared with previously reported LC/MS/MS mass spectral data. Evidence does not suggest differences due to route of administration (i.v. vs. p.o.) in either species. Four chromatographic peaks with resulting daughter spectrum were identified and represent 12 possible metabolite structures. All of the proposed metabolites, except for the N-oxide, appear to be unique to macaws. The potential metabolites identified in macaws appear to be very different than those reported for chickens.     

Enantiomeric disposition of ketorolac in goats following administration of a single intravenous and oral dose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the stereospecific pharmacokinetics of ketorolac (KT) in goats following a single 2 mg/kg intravenous (i.v.) dose and a single 6 mg/kg oral dose. A stereoselective high pressure liquid chromatography assay was used to quantify ketorolac plasma concentrations. Pharmacokinetic parameters for both stereoisomers were estimated by model independent methods. Following an i.v. dose, the plasma concentration profiles for the stereoisomers were similar with half-lives of 1.05 ± 0.62 h for R -KT and 1.05 ± 0.61 h for S -KT. Clearance values for R - and S -KT after an i.v. dose were 0.53 ± 0.23 and 0.54 ± 0.23 L·h/kg, respectively. Following an oral dose, the terminal half-lives were longer with values of 34.08 ± 11.81 and 33.97 ± 12.19 h for R -KT and S- KT, respectively. The average bioavailability was 133 ± 23% for R -KT and S -KT, respectively. The longer half-lives and high apparent bioavailability after oral dosing are suggestive of a slow absorption process in the gastrointestinal tract and recycling. The results indicate that interconversion of the stereoisomers of ketorolac is absent in goats. However, studies with individual isomers are needed before any conclusion can be drawn about the lack of bioinversion.