Pharmacokinetics of metronidazole given to horses by intravenous and oral routes.
Serum and peritoneal fluid concentrations of metronidazole were determined in 6 healthy adult horses given the drug (25 mg/kg) by IV or oral routes. The disposition of metronidazole in horses given the drug by the IV route conformed to a 2-compartment model with a distribution half-life of 0.16 hours, an elimination half-life of 2.9 hours, and a body clearance of 0.40 +/- 0.05 L/kg/hr. The oral absorption half-life was 0.40 hours, and the bioavailability, 85.0 +/- 18.6%. Peritoneal fluid concentrations were approximately equal to serum concentrations at all times, regardless of the route of administration. On the basis of reported minimal inhibitory concentrations for anaerobic bacteria, a dosage of 15 to 25 mg/kg given orally 4 times daily was recommended.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000378:metabolism*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D008795:Metronidazole