Pharmacokinetics of levamisole in sheep after intravenous administration

Abstract

The pharmacokinetics of levamisole at doses of 5, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg were determined after its intravenous administration to eighteen healthy Merino sheep. Using compartmental analysis, the disposition of the drug best fitted a two-compartmental open model. The mean values for the compartmental volume of distribution at steady state (V_ss) were 2.034 ± 0.23I, 2.347 ± 0.720 and 2.001 ± 0.367 I/kg for each dose, respectively, and values obtained using the statistical moment theory were 2.141 ± 0.269, 2.390 ± 0.536 and 2.140 ± 0.345 l/kg for each dose, respectively. There were no dose-related differences (one-way ANOVA) in the constants describing distribution and elimination phases (α and β) or V_ss, but significant differences were detected in the total body clearance (Cl) and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC). After non-compartmental analysis, no significant differences were found when the parameters λ (the linear terminal slope) and V_ss were compared, but significant differences were detected in Cl and AUC. There were no significant differences between the values obtained using the compartmental and non- compartmental analysis when λ-β, Cl, V_ss and AUC were compared.