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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Pharmacol Ther / Pharmacokinetics of ganciclovir and valganciclovir in the ad...
Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics2013; 36(5); 441-449; doi: 10.1111/jvp.12029

Pharmacokinetics of ganciclovir and valganciclovir in the adult horse.

Abstract: Equine herpes myeloencephalopathy, resulting from equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1) infection, is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in the horse. As compared to other antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, ganciclovir has enhanced potency against EHV-1. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of ganciclovir and its oral prodrug, valganciclovir, in six adult horses in a randomized cross-over design. Ganciclovir sodium was administered intravenously as a slow bolus at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg, and valganciclovir was administered orally at a dose of 1800 mg per horse. Intravenously administered ganciclovir disposition was best described by a three-compartment model with a prolonged terminal half-life of 72 ± 9 h. Following the oral administration of valganciclovir, the mean observed maximum serum ganciclovir concentration was 0.58 ± 0.37 μg/mL, and bioavailability of ganciclovir from oral valganciclovir was 41 ± 20%. Superposition predicted that oral dosing of 1800-mg valganciclovir two times daily would fail to produce and maintain effective plasma concentrations of ganciclovir. However, superposition suggested that i.v. administration of ganciclovir at 2.5 mg/kg every 8 h for 24 h followed by maintenance dosing of 2.5 mg/kg every 12 h would maintain effective ganciclovir serum concentrations in most horses throughout the dosing interval.
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2013-01-10 PubMed ID: 23301502PubMed Central: PMC4264108DOI: 10.1111/jvp.12029Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research article discusses a study that compared the efficacy and pharmacological properties of two antiviral drugs — ganciclovir and valganciclovir — in adult horses to establish effective treatment options for equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1) infection.

Understanding the Study’s Aim

  • The main purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the pharmacokinetics (how the body absorbs, distributes metabolizes, and excretes drugs) of two antiviral drugs — ganciclovir and its oral prodrug, valganciclovir in horses.
  • These drugs were targeted as potential treatment options for equine herpes myeloencephalopathy, a harmful condition in horses caused by equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1) infection.

Methodology of the Research

  • The researchers used a randomized cross-over design and studied the outcome on six adult horses.
  • Ganciclovir sodium was administered intravenously (directly into the veins) in a slow bolus at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg, whereas valganciclovir was administered orally at a dose of 1800 mg per horse.

Findings from the Study

  • The intravenous administration of ganciclovir was best described by a three-compartment model with a prolonged terminal half-life of 72 ± 9 hours. This means that it took roughly 72 hours for the drug’s concentration to reduce by half in the body.
  • After valganciclovir was given orally, the mean peak serum ganciclovir concentration observed was 0.58 ± 0.37 μg/mL. The bioavailability (amount and rate the drug becomes available in the body) of ganciclovir from the ingestion of valganciclovir was 41 ± 20%.

Conclusions and Predictions

  • The superposition principle (applying knowledge from one study to another) predicted that giving 1800-mg of valganciclovir orally twice a day would not create and maintain effective plasma concentrations of ganciclovir.
  • However, the superposition also suggested that intravenous injection of ganciclovir at 2.5 mg/kg every 8 hours for 24 hours, followed by a maintenance dose of 2.5 mg/kg every 12 hours, would maintain effective ganciclovir serum concentrations in most horses throughout the dosing interval.

Cite This Article

APA
Carmichael RJ, Whitfield C, Maxwell LK. (2013). Pharmacokinetics of ganciclovir and valganciclovir in the adult horse. J Vet Pharmacol Ther, 36(5), 441-449. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvp.12029

Publication

Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics
ISSN: 1365-2885
NlmUniqueID: 7910920
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 5
Pages: 441-449

Researcher Affiliations

Carmichael, R J
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
Whitfield, C
    Maxwell, L K

      MeSH Terms

      • Administration, Oral
      • Animals
      • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
      • Antiviral Agents / blood
      • Antiviral Agents / pharmacokinetics
      • Female
      • Ganciclovir / administration & dosage
      • Ganciclovir / analogs & derivatives
      • Ganciclovir / blood
      • Ganciclovir / pharmacokinetics
      • Horses
      • Injections, Intravenous / veterinary
      • Male
      • Valganciclovir

      Grant Funding

      • T35 RR007061 / NCRR NIH HHS
      • T35RR007061 / NCRR NIH HHS

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      Citations

      This article has been cited 2 times.
      1. Thieulent CJ, Sutton G, Toquet MP, Fremaux S, Hue E, Fortier C, Pléau A, Deslis A, Abrioux S, Guitton E, Pronost S, Paillot R. Oral Administration of Valganciclovir Reduces Clinical Signs, Virus Shedding and Cell-Associated Viremia in Ponies Experimentally Infected with the Equid Herpesvirus-1 C(2254) Variant.. Pathogens 2022 May 4;11(5).
        doi: 10.3390/pathogens11050539pubmed: 35631060google scholar: lookup
      2. Oladunni FS, Horohov DW, Chambers TM. EHV-1: A Constant Threat to the Horse Industry.. Front Microbiol 2019;10:2668.
        doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02668pubmed: 31849857google scholar: lookup
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