Disposition of sodium salicylate,flunixin and meloxicam after intravenous administration in broiler chickens

Three nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) sodium salicylate, flunixin (FLU) and meloxicam (MEL)] were administered intravenously to broiler chickens. Plasma concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography methods and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. After intravenous administration of sodium salicylate (50 mg/kg), FLU (1.1 mg/kg) and MEL (0.5 mg/kg), these drugs were eliminated from plasma with a mean half-life of 04.04, 05.45 and 03.20 h, respectively. Apparent volumes of distribution (0.39, 0.08 and 0.12 L/kg, respectively) indicated that tissue distribution was limited for the three drugs. Total body clearance was 70 mL/h.kg for sodium salicylate and 10 and 25 mL/kg.h for FLU and MEL, respectively. Based on the pharmacokinetic parameters these NSAIDs may offer possibilities for treatment of various conditions in chickens.