Abstract
The study aims to establish the plasma pharmacokinetic parameters of levofloxacin in mixed-breed dogs, at a single dose of 5 mg/kg, intravenously, orally only and orally with sucralfate pre-treatment (1 g per animal), to evaluate its influence on antimicrobial absorption.
Concentrations of levofloxacin in plasma were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection.
After iv of levofloxacin, the mean (±SD) of AUC0–24, Vz, t½λz and MRT, was 19.05 ± 6.4 µg-h/ml, 2.43 ± 0.5 L/kg, 7.93 ± 1.41 hours and 8.7 ± 1.5 hours, respectively. After oral administration, the Cmax, t½λz and bioavailability were 1.95 ± 0.7 µg/ml, 7.65 ± 1.38 hours and 71.93 ± 9.75%, respectively.
In animals given an oral dose of levofloxacin with sucralfate pre-treatment, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in Cmax (0.57 ± 0.23 µg/ml), AUC (5.73 ± 2.26 µg-h/ml) and bioavailability (31.92 ± 14.19%).
In the dogs studied, it is suggested that the dose 5 mg/kg of levofloxacin for both routes is inadequate to meet PK–PD targets for susceptible bacteria using breakpoints established by the Institute of Clinical and Laboratory Standards (CLSI).
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).