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Pharmacokinetics of intravenously and intramuscularly administered ticarcillin and clavulanic acid in foals.

Abstract: Serum concentrations of ticarcillin and clavulanic acid were measured in healthy foals (2 to 6 months old) given the drugs in combination by intravenous and intramuscular routes of administration. Five foals were administered 50 mg of ticarcillin/kg of body weight and 1.67 mg of clavulanic acid/kg, IV. Five foals were administered 100 mg of ticarcillin/kg and 3.33 mg of clavulanic acid/kg, IV, and 4 of those 5 were given the same combined dose IM. The elimination half-life of ticarcillin for intravenous administration was 0.83 hour for the low dosage and 0.96 hour for the high dosage. After intramuscular administration, the half-life of elimination was 2.9 hours, with bioavailability of 54.6%. For IV administered clavulanic acid, the elimination half-life was 0.65 hour for the low dosage and 0.74 hour for the high dosage. After intramuscular administration, the elimination half-life was 0.92 hour, and bioavailability was 68.1%. A combined dosage, 50 mg of ticarcillin/kg and 1.67 mg of clavulanic acid/kg, given every 6 hours is recommended.
Publication Date: 1988-01-01 PubMed ID: 3354961
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The research article discusses the study of the different reactions in the bodies of foals (young horses) when given varying dosages of ticarcillin and clavulanic acid intravenously (IV) and intramuscularly (IM). The study finds that the elimination half-life of these drugs and their bioavailability vary by administration route and dosage.

Research Methodology

  • The study was conducted on healthy foals aged 2 to 6 months. The foals were divided into several groups for the purpose of the experiment.
  • One group of five foals was given a combined dosage of 50 mg of ticarcillin per kg of body weight and 1.67 mg of clavulanic acid per kg, IV. Another group of five foals was administered a higher combined dosage of 100 mg of ticarcillin per kg and 3.33 mg of clavulanic acid per kg, IV.
  • Additionally, from the second group, four of the five foals were given the same combined dose IM. The serum concentrations of the drugs were monitored in all groups.

Findings

  • The elimination half-life, which is the time taken for the body to reduce the amount of drug by half, of ticarcillin was found to be 0.83 hour for the lower dosage and 0.96 hour for the higher dosage when administered intravenously.
  • After intramuscular administration, the half-life of elimination for ticarcillin was longer, at 2.9 hours.
  • The bioavailability, which indicates the proportion of the drug that enters the circulation and is able to have an active effect, was 54.6% for intramuscular administration.
  • For intravenously administered clavulanic acid, the elimination half-life was 0.65 hour for the low dosage and 0.74 hour for the high dosage. After intramuscular administration, the elimination half-life was shorter, at 0.92 hour, with a higher bioavailability of 68.1%.

Recommendations

  • Based on the findings of the study, it recommends that a combined dosage of 50 mg of ticarcillin per kg and 1.67 mg of clavulanic acid per kg should be given every six hours.
  • The recommendations provide a guideline for veterinarians and others who care for foals, enabling them to use these drugs effectively and safely.

Cite This Article

APA
Sweeney RW, Beech J, Simmons RD. (1988). Pharmacokinetics of intravenously and intramuscularly administered ticarcillin and clavulanic acid in foals. Am J Vet Res, 49(1), 23-26.

Publication

ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 1
Pages: 23-26

Researcher Affiliations

Sweeney, R W
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square 19348.
Beech, J
    Simmons, R D

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Clavulanic Acid
      • Clavulanic Acids / administration & dosage
      • Clavulanic Acids / blood
      • Clavulanic Acids / pharmacokinetics
      • Female
      • Half-Life
      • Horses / blood
      • Injections, Intramuscular
      • Injections, Intravenous
      • Male
      • Penicillins / pharmacokinetics
      • Ticarcillin / administration & dosage
      • Ticarcillin / blood
      • Ticarcillin / pharmacokinetics

      Citations

      This article has been cited 2 times.
      1. Ritu K, Kumar P, Singh A, Nupur K, Spalgias S, Mrigpuri P, Rajkumar. Untangling the KRAS mutated lung cancer subsets and its therapeutic implications. Mol Biomed 2021 Dec 17;2(1):40.
        doi: 10.1186/s43556-021-00061-0pubmed: 34918209google scholar: lookup
      2. Graham AE, Colgate VA, Floyd EF. Antibiograms of Bacterial Cultures From Equine Neonates at a United Kingdom Hospital: 381 Samples (2018-2023). J Vet Intern Med 2025 Sep-Oct;39(5):e70198.
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