Pharmacokinetics of meropenem after intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration to cats.
The aim of the study was to describe the pharmacokinetics and predicted efficacy of meropenem after intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) administration to cats at a single dose of 10 mg/kg.



Five adult healthy cats were used. Blood samples were withdrawn at predetermined times over a 12 h period. Meropenem concentrations were determined by microbiological assay. Pharmacokinetic analyses were performed with computer software. Initial estimates were determined using the residual method and refitted by non-linear regression. The time that plasma concentrations were greater than the minimum inhibitory concentration (T >MIC) was estimated by applying bibliographic MIC values and meropenem MIC breakpoint.



Maximum plasma concentrations of meropenem were 101.02 µg/ml (Cp(0), IV), 27.21 µg/ml (Cmax, IM) and 15.57 µg/ml (Cmax, SC). Bioavailability was 99.69% (IM) and 96.52 % (SC). Elimination half-lives for the IV, IM and SC administration were 1.35, 2.10 and 2.26 h, respectively.



Meropenem, when administered to cats at a dose of 10 mg/kg q12h,, is effective against bacteria with MIC values of 6 μg/ml, 7 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml for IV, IM and SC administration, respectively. However, clinical trials are necessary to confirm clinical efficacy of the proposed dosage regimen.
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina albarell@fvet.uba.ar.
Gabriela A
GA
Albarellos
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Laura
L
Montoya
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Sabrina M
SM
Passini
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Martín P
MP
Lupi
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Paula M
PM
Lorenzini
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, National University of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
María F
MF
Landoni
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001682:Biological Availability; D002415:Cats / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000662:veterinary; D000077731:Meropenem; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013845:Thienamycins; D000077731:Meropenem