Abstract:
The present study was conducted to investigate the disposition kinetics of levofloxacin following a single intravenous (i.v.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) injection at a dose rate of 3 mg kg-1 body weight (b.wt) in sheep due to unavailability of disposition data of the drug following s.c. administration in target species of animal. Plasma samples collected after treatments were analyzed for drug concentration using High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After i.v. administration, distribution of the drug was rapid (t1/2(α): 0.25±0.01 h) and wide as reflected by the steady-state volume of distribution of 0.92±0.08 L kg-1. Drug elimination was relatively faster with a total body clearance of 0.55±0.02 L/h/kg. The elimination half-life was 2.38±0.22 h. The rapid (t1/2Ka: 0.24±0.04 h) and near to complete absorption (bioavailability: 91.12±3.71%) of the drug was observed from s.c injection site. The maximum plasma drug concentration of 1.56±0.09 μg mL-1 (Cmax) was attained at 1 h (Tmax). The drug was widely distributed as reflected by apparent volume of distribution (Vd(area): 1.43±0.05 L kg-1). The drug was cleared at rate of 0.58±0.02 L/h/kg (ClB) from body and elimination half-life (t1/2β) of the drug was 1.73±0.04 h. Pharmacokinetic parameters, absence of adverse reactions and values of efficacy predictors in the present study revealed that levofloxacin may be a potentially useful drug to treat bacterial diseases in sheep.
Urvesh D. Patel, Jatin H. Patel, Shailesh K. Bhavsar and Aswin M. Thaker, 2012. Pharmacokinetics of Levofloxacin Following Intravenous and Subcutaneous Administration in Sheep. Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 7: 85-93.
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