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Meloxicam pharmacokinetics using nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling in ferrets after single subcutaneous administration
Author(s) -
Chinnadurai S. K.,
Messenger K. M.,
Papich M. G.,
Harms C. A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.527
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1365-2885
pISSN - 0140-7783
DOI - 10.1111/jvp.12099
Subject(s) - meloxicam , pharmacokinetics , venipuncture , volume of distribution , absorption (acoustics) , pharmacology , medicine , analgesic , chemistry , anesthesia , physics , acoustics
This study was designed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam, an oxicam class, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug ( NSAID ), in ferrets. We determined the pharmacokinetic properties of a single subcutaneous dose of meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) in nine male and nine female ferrets. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture of the cranial vena cava into heparinized syringes. Plasma meloxicam concentrations were determined by high‐pressure liquid chromatography ( HPLC ). Pharmacokinetic variables were calculated using nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling to take advantage of the population‐based sampling scheme and to minimize sample volume collected per animal. Maximum plasma concentration, volume of distribution per absorption, and elimination half‐life were 0.663 μ g/mL, 0.21 L, and 11.4 h, respectively, for females and 0.920 μ g/mL, 0.35 L, and 17.8 h, respectively, for males. Significant differences were found in each of the above parameters between male and female ferrets. Systemic clearance per absorption was not affected by gender and was 13.4 mL/h. Analgesic efficacy was not evaluated, but plasma meloxicam concentrations achieved in these animals are considered effective in other species. Sex differences in the pharmacokinetic behavior of meloxicam should be taken into consideration when treating ferrets.