Flumequine in the Goat: Pharmacokinetics after Intravenous and Intramuscular Administration

The pharmacokinetics of flumequine, administered intravenously and intramuscularly at a single dose of 20 mg/kg, was investigated in healthy goats. After intravenous injection, flumequine distributed rapidly (t1/2alpha = 0.87+/-0.15 h) but was eliminated slowly (t1/2beta = 7.12+/-1.27 h); mean clearance (Cl) and volume of distribution (Vdss) were 0.32+/-0.03 (L/(h x kg) and 1.22+/-029 (L/kg), respectively. After intramuscular administration, the peakserum concentration (Cmax = 7.40+/-0.5 microg/ml) was reached in about 1.5 h (Tmax) and bioavailability was about 93%. Estimated flumequine serum levels following repeated intramuscular administration of the aqueous suspension used in the study (7.23+/-0.7 microg/ml and 4.82+/-0.47 microg/ml at intervals of 8 and 12 h, respectively) indicated that to maintain serum levels above MIC values for susceptible bacteria a dosage regimen of 20 mg/kg every 12 h is necessary by the intramuscular route.