Plasma pharmacokinetics and urine concentrations of meropenem in ewes.
The pharmacokinetics of meropenem was studied in five ewes after single i.v. and i.m. dose of 20 mg/kg bw. Meropenem concentrations in plasma and urine were determined using microbiological assay method. A two-compartment open model was best described the decrease of meropenem concentration in plasma after an i.v. injection. The drug was rapidly eliminated with a half-life of elimination (t1/2beta) of 0.39 +/- 0.30 h. Meropenem showed a small steady-state volume of distribution [Vd(ss)] 0.055 +/- 0.09 L/kg. Following i.m. injection, meropenem was rapidly absorbed with a t1/2ab of 0.25 +/- 0.04 h. The peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was 48.79 +/- 8.83 microg/mL was attained after 0.57 +/- 0.13 h (tmax). The elimination half-life (t1/2el) of meropenem was 0.71 +/- 0.12 h and the mean residence time (MRT) was 1.38 +/- 0.26 h. The systemic bioavailability (F) after i.m. injection was 112.67 +/- 10.13%. In vitro protein-binding percentage of meropenem in ewe's plasma was 42.80%. The mean urinary recoveries of meropenem over 24 h were 83% and 91% of the administered dose after i.v. and i.m. injections respectively. Thus, meropenem is likely to be efficacious in the eradication of many urinary tract pathogens in sheep.
Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt. kasooud@hotmail.com
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K
Abo El Sooud
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D000077731:Meropenem; D012756:Sheep / Q000378:metabolism*; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000652:urine
D013845:Thienamycins; D000077731:Meropenem