Pharmacokinetics of potassium bromide in adult horses

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pharmacokinetics of potassium bromide (KBr) in horses after a single and multiple oral doses. ANIMALS: Twelve adult Standardbred and Thoroughbred mares. PROCEDURE: Horses were randomly assigned into two treatment groups. In Part 1 of the study, horses were given a single oral dose of 120 mg/kg KBr. Part 2 of the study evaluated a loading dose of 120 mg/kg KBr daily by stomach tube for 5 days, followed by 40 mg/kg daily in feed for 7 days. Serum concentrations of bromide were determined by colorimetric spectrophotometry following drug administration to permit determination of concentration versus time curves from which pharmacokinetic parameters could be calculated. Treated horses were monitored twice daily by clinical examination. Serum concentrations of sodium, potassium and chloride ions and partial pressures of venous blood gases were determined. RESULTS: Maximum mean serum bromide concentration following a single dose of KBr (120 mg/kg) was 284 +/- 15 microg/mL and the mean elimination half-life was 75 +/- 14 h. Repeated administration of a loading dose of KBr (120 mg/kg once daily for 5 days) gave a maximum serum bromide concentration of 1098 +/- 105 microg/mL. The administration of lower, maintenance doses of KBr (40 mg/kg once daily) was associated with decreased serum bromide concentrations, which plateaued at approximately 700 microg/mL. Administration of KBr was associated with significant but transient changes in serum potassium and sodium concentrations, and possible changes in base excess and plasma bicarbonate concentrations. High serum concentrations of bromide were associated with an apparent increase in serum chloride concentrations, when measured on an ion specific electrode. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A loading dose of 120 mg/kg daily over 5 days and maintenance doses of approximately 90-100 mg/kg of KBr administered once daily are predicted to result in serum bromide concentrations consistent with therapeutic efficacy for the management of seizures in other species. The clinical efficacy of this agent as an anticonvulsant medication and/or calmative in horses warrants further investigation.