Single dose pharmacokinetics of cefepime after intravenous and intramuscular administration in goats

Pharmacokinetics of cefepime was determined following single dose intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration at the rate of 10 mg/kg body weight in a crossover design with an interval of 21 days between IV and IM injections. The experiment was done on 6 healthy young female Surati goats (4-6 months of age). All animals were randomly allocated to receive either IV or IM injection of the drug. Blood samples were collected at various time intervals. Cefepime concentration in serum was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The serum drug concentration-time profile was characteristic of a 2- and 1-compartment open model following IV and IM administration, respectively. Following single dose IV administration, the drug was rapidly distributed (t(1/2 alpha): 0.20 +/- 0.02 h; V-d ((area)); 0.52 +/- 0.04 l/kg) and slowly eliminated (t(1/2 beta): 2.71 +/- 0.08 h) from the body. Following IM administration, the drug was rapidly absorbed (t(1/2ka): 0.16 +/- 0.01 h) and slowly eliminated (t(1/2 beta): 4.89 +/- 0.24 h) from body. The bioavailability of cefepime was 69 +/- 6.0% following IM injection. Based on observed serum drug concentration, cefepime can be used intramuscularly at the dose rate of 10 mg/kg every 12 h in goats.