Pharmacokinetics of cefepime and comparison with those of ceftiofur in horses.
Abstract: To determine pharmacokinetics of i.v., i.m., and oral administration of cefepime in horses and to compare pharmacokinetics of i.m. administration of cefepime with those of ceftiofur sodium. Methods: 6 clinically normal adult horses. Methods: Horses received 3 doses of cefepime (11 mg/kg of body weight, PO; 2.2 mg/kg, i.v.; and 2.2 mg/kg, i.m.) and 1 dose of ceftiofur (2.2 mg/kg, i.m.). Two horses also received L-arginine, p.o. and i.v., at doses identical to those contained in the cefepime dihydrochloride-L-arginine preparations previously administered. Blood samples were collected for 24 hours after administration of cefepime or ceftiofur and were assayed for cefepime and ceftiofur concentrations. Results: Pharmacokinetic analysis of disposition data indicated that i.v. administration data were best described by a 2-compartment open model, whereas i.m. administration data were best described by a 1-compartment absorption model. Median elimination half-life and volume of distribution after i.v. administration of cefepime were 125.7 minutes and 225 ml/kg, respectively. After i.m. administration of cefepime, mean maximal plasma concentration of (8.13 microg/ml) was reached at a mean time of 80 minutes. Absorption of cefepime after i.m. administration was complete, with a median bioavailability of 1.11. Intramuscular administration of ceftiofur resulted in similar mean maximal plasma concentration (7.98 microg/ml) and mean time to this concentration (82 minutes). Cefepime was not detected in samples collected after oral administration. Adverse effects consisting principally of gastrointestinal disturbances were observed after oral and i.m. administration of cefepime and after 1 i.m. administration of ceftiofur. Conclusions: Cefepime, administered i.v. or i.m. at a dosage of 2.2 mg/kg, every 8 hours is likely to provide effective antibacterial therapy for cefepime-sensitive organisms in horses. Further studies are needed to evaluate adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
Publication Date: 1998-05-01 PubMed ID: 9563631
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Adult Horses
- Adverse Effects
- Antibacterial
- Antibiotics
- Blood Analysis
- Clinical Study
- Clinical Symptoms
- Comparative Study
- Disease Treatment
- Drug
- Equine Health
- Gastrointestinal Health
- Horses
- Intramuscular Administration
- Intravenous Administration
- Oral Administration
- Pharmacokinetics
- Treatment
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research was designed to study how horses’ bodies process cefepime, a type of antibiotic, upon its administration via different routes – intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.), and oral. The study further compared the pharmacokinetics of cefepime with another antibiotic, ceftiofur.
Methods Applied
- The experiment involved six clinically healthy adult horses;
- Three distinct doses of cefepime were administered to the horses, specifically, 11mg/kg orally, 2.2mg/kg intravenously and 2.2mg/kg intramuscularly;
- In addition, a single dose of ceftiofur (2.2mg/kg) was administered intramuscularly;
- For two of the horses, L-arginine was added to the cefepime dosage;
- Blood samples were taken from the horses for 24 hours after the administration of the antibiotics and analyzed for the concentration of cefepime and ceftiofur.
Results of the Study
- In evaluating the process of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion – known as pharmacokinetics – the researchers found that intravenous cefepime fitted a two-compartment model, while intramuscular cefepime matched a one-compartment model;
- Median elimination half-life (the time taken for the body to eliminate half of the drug) and the volume of distribution after intravenous cefepime administration were 125.7 minutes and 225 ml/kg respectively;
- The peak concentration of cefepime in blood plasma was reached around 80 minutes after administration when the drug was given intramuscularly. The bioavailability (the proportion of the drug that entered the circulatory system) was complete;
- Similar outcomes were observed with the intramuscular administration of ceftiofur, indicating cefepime and ceftiofur behave similarly in the bodies of horses;
- Upon oral administration, cefepime was not detected in blood samples, suggesting low or no oral absorption;
- The administration of cefepime and ceftiofur, especially orally and intramuscularly, caused some adverse effects including gastrointestinal disturbances.
Conclusion of the Study
- The researchers concluded that cefepime, when given intravenously or intramuscularly at a 2.2mg/kg dosage at 8-hour intervals, could be effective in treating infections in horses caused by cefepime-sensitive organisms;
- However, they also recommended further studies to look into potential adverse effects on the horses’ gastrointestinal tract.
Cite This Article
APA
Guglick MA, MacAllister CG, Clarke CR, Pollet R, Hague C, Clarke JM.
(1998).
Pharmacokinetics of cefepime and comparison with those of ceftiofur in horses.
Am J Vet Res, 59(4), 458-463.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Oral
- Animals
- Biological Availability
- Cefepime
- Cephalosporins / administration & dosage
- Cephalosporins / pharmacokinetics
- Cephalosporins / toxicity
- Female
- Horses
- Injections, Intramuscular
- Injections, Intravenous
- Male
- Metabolic Clearance Rate
- Models, Biological
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Zhao Y, Zhu Y, Liu B, Mi J, Li N, Zhao W, Wu R, Holyoak GR, Li J, Liu D, Zeng S, Wang Y. Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Bacterial Isolates from Donkey Uterine Infections, 2018-2021. Vet Sci 2022 Feb 5;9(2).
- Lee DH, Birhanu BT, Lee EB, Lee SJ, Boby N, Park YS, Park SC. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic integration for optimal dosage of cefquinome against Streptococcus equi subsp. equi in foals. Vet Res 2020 Oct 15;51(1):131.
- Taverne FJ, van Geijlswijk IM, Heederik DJ, Wagenaar JA, Mouton JW. Modelling concentrations of antimicrobial drugs: comparative pharmacokinetics of cephalosporin antimicrobials and accuracy of allometric scaling in food-producing and companion animals. BMC Vet Res 2016 Sep 6;12(1):185.
- Pawar YG, Sharma SK. Influence of E. coli lipopolysaccharide induced fever on the plasma kinetics of cefepime in cross-bred calves. Vet Res Commun 2008 Feb;32(2):123-30.
- Abd El-Aty AM, Goudah A, Mouneir SM, Sunwoo YE, Jang JH, Shin JG, Shim JH, Shimoda M. Acute-phase response alters the disposition kinetics of cefepime following intravenous administration to rabbits. Vet Res Commun 2007 Jan;31(1):67-75.
- Goudah A, Mouneir SM, Shim JH, Abd El-Aty AM. Influence of endotoxin induced fever on the pharmacokinetics of intramuscularly administered cefepime in rabbits. J Vet Sci 2006 Jun;7(2):151-5.
- Ismail MM. Disposition kinetics, bioavailability and renal clearance of cefepime in calves. Vet Res Commun 2005 Jan;29(1):69-79.
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