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Research
3.
Pharmacokinetic study of flunixin and its
interaction with enrofloxacin after intramuscular
administration in calves -
K. Abo-EL-Sooud, L. AL-Anati
Vet World. 2011; 4(10): 449-454
doi: 10.5455/vetworld.2011.449-454
Abstract
The Pharmacokinetic aspects of flunixin (FL)
administered alone and in combination with
enrofloxacin (EN), were studied in clinically
healthy calves. The experiments were performed on
two groups: FL alone {2.2 mg/kg, intramuscular
(IM)}, and combination of FL (2.2 mg/kg, IM) and
EN {2.5 mg/kg, IM}. Plasma concentrations of FL
were determined using High Performance Liquid
Chromatography (HPLC) method. Moreover, the
effects of FL alone or in combination on liver and
kidney functions were also assessed. Flunixin was
rapidly absorbed intramuscularly with a half-life
of absorption (t1/2ab) of 0.094 h and the peak
plasma concentration (Cmax) was 1.27 g/mL was
attained after 0.49 h (Tmax). Enrofloxacin
significantly altered the pharmacokinetics of FL
by delaying its absorption and accelerate its
elimination from body. Significant increases (32%)
in the area under the curve (AUC) and (37%) in the
elimination rate constant (Kel) from the central
compartment and a significant decrease (27%) in
the elimination half-life (t1/2el) of FL were
found following coadministration with EN, compared
with administration of FL alone. The maximum
plasma drug concentration (Cmax) showed
significant increase (28%) following the
coadministration of EN with FL as compared to that
following the administration of FL alone. It was
concluded that the combination of FL and EN
negatively altered the kinetics of FL and
exaggerated the adverse effect on hepato-renal
function in calves consequently; the concomitant
use of FL and EN should be avoided in calves.
Keywords: Pharmacokinetics, Flunixin,
Interaction, Enrofloxacin, Calves.
