title: Subcutaneous meloxicam suspension pharmacokinetics in mice and dose considerations for postoperative analgesia.
abstract: Meloxicam is a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor with a higher selectivity for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) than for cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1). In the laboratory setting, this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is commonly selected for analgesia in mice and administered every 24 h. This study characterizes the plasma concentration achieved from a dose of 1.6 mg/kg of meloxicam administered once every 24 h subcutaneously for 72 h in male and female C57BL/6 mice. These values were compared, over time, to reference COX-2 inhibition constants for meloxicam. No significant differences in trough plasma concentrations were noted between genders. The plasma concentrations were below the COX-2 IC50 after 12 h. To maintain a plasma concentration at or above the COX-2 whole blood IC50, the study results suggest an administration frequency of every 12 h when using a dose of 1.6 mg/kg in C57BL/6 mice.
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Care, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Patty H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Care, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Kelli L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Care, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Erin K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Fickle
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Charles W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Locuson
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D000077239:Meloxicam; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D012737:Sex Factors; D013535:Suspensions; D013843:Thiazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D013535:Suspensions; D013843:Thiazines; D013844:Thiazoles; D000077239:Meloxicam