Pharmacokinetics of Chloramphenicol in Sheep after Intramuscular Administration

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol in eight sheep injected intramuscularly with chloramphenicol sodium succinate (25 mg/kg body weight). The animals were bled at pre-determined time intervals and serum chloramphenicol concentrations monitored using chloramphenicol-ELISA for a period of 30 days post drug administration. Pharmacokinetic evaluation was carried out using a non-compartment analysis. The mean C_max values obtained in the eight sheep was 134±34 mg/ml and the time required to reach C_max (t_max) was 10±0.05 minutes. The mean elimination half-life obtained was 36.37±3.7 h and the mean residence time was 2.83±0.27 h. These findings show that chloramphenicol was absorbed and distributed rapidly from the injection site. At two weeks post drug administration, the drug levels had declined to below the limit of detection of the assay (0.1 ng/ml).

Keywords: Chloramphenicol, pharmacokinetics, sheep, ELISA

East and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 12 (2009) 3-7