Pharmacokinetics of deflazacort in rabbits after intravenous and oral administration and its interaction with erythromycin.

The pharmacokinetic of deflazacort after intravenous and oral administration and the effect of erythromycin on the disposition of deflazacort in rabbits were investigated. A parallel study was carried out in twelve rabbits. The plasma concentration-time profiles of deflazacort were determined after intravenous and oral administration of single dosages of 5 mg/kg in the presence and absence (baseline) of multiple dose erythromycin regimens. Plasma concentrations of 21-desacetyldeflazacort were determined by HPLC. Plasma concentration-time curves were analysed by compartmental pharmacokinetic and noncompartmental methods. The t½λz values following intravenous and oral administration were 3.67 and 4.96 hr, respectively. The apparent volume of distribution at steady-state (Vss ) was 4.08 ± 0.31 L/kg, this value indicates that deflazacort is widely distributed into the extravascular tissues. Moreover, bioavailability after oral administration of deflazacort (F = 87.48%) was high. Pharmacokinetic analysis after both routes of administration revealed a significant reduction in total body clearance, a significant increase in mean residence time, half-life and plasma concentrations of the steroid in the presence of multiple dose erythromycin. The results indicated the influence of the erythromycin on deflazacort disposition, which is consistent with a pharmacokinetic-type interaction in the elimination of the drug from the body. Moreover, this interaction should be considered to avoid adverse effects when using both drugs concomitantly.

Pharmacokinetics and milk penetration of difloxacin after a long-acting formulation for subcutaneous administration to lactating goats.

The single-dose disposition kinetics of difloxacin were determined in clinically normal lactating goats (n=6) after intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) administration and subcutaneous administration of a long-acting poloxamer 407 gel formulation (P407). Difloxacin concentrations were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of difloxacin against 14 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mastitic goats' milk in Spain were determined to compute pharmacodynamic surrogate markers. The concentration-time data were analyzed by compartmental and noncompartmental pharmacokinetic methods. Following SC and P407 administration, difloxacin achieved maximum milk concentrations of 1.34+/-0.12 and 2.97+/-1.18 mg/L, respectively, at 4.00+/-0.00 h (SC) and 3.60+/-0.89 h (P407) after administration. The absolute bioavailabilities after SC and P407 administration were 81.74+/-15.60% and 72.58+/-20.45%, respectively. Difloxacin penetration from the blood into the milk was good and high concentrations were found in milk secretions. From these data, a 15 mg/kg dose of difloxacin P407 would appear to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mastitic goats' milk with minimum inhibitory concentrations

Short communication: Fluoroquinolone susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from caprine clinical mastitis in southeast Spain.

The antibiotic susceptibility of 32 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the mastitic milk of dairy goats was evaluated. The antibiotics tested were 3 fluoroquinolones that have been developed especially for use in veterinary medicine: danofloxacin, marbofloxacin, and orbifloxacin. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests were performed according to the microdilution broth method. The MIC(90) (concentration at which 90% inhibition is achieved) values obtained were 0.5, 1, and 1 mg/L for danofloxacin, marbofloxacin, and orbifloxacin, respectively. Danofloxacin was the most active fluoroquinolone tested against Staph. aureus strains isolated from milk; however, specific testing is required before using these drugs as therapy for the control of clinical mammary infections in goats.

Disposition kinetics and pharmacokinetics--pharmacodynamic integration of difloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus isolates from rabbits.

The pharmacokinetics of difloxacin were studied following intravenous (IV), subcutaneous (SC) and oral administration of 5mg/kg to healthy white New Zealand rabbits (n = 6). Difloxacin concentrations were determined by HPLC assay with fluorescence detection. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) assay of difloxacin against different strains of S. aureus from different european countries was performed in order to compute the main pharmacodynamic surrogate markers. The plasma difloxacin clearance (Cl) for the IV route was (mean +/- SD) 0.41 +/- 0.05 L/h kg. The steady-state volume of distribution (V(ss)) was 1.95 +/- 0.17 L/kg. The terminal half-life [Formula: see text] was (mean+/-SD) 4.19+/-0.34 h, 7.53 +/- 1.32 h and 8.00 +/- 0.45 h after IV, IM and oral, respectively. From this data, it seems that a 5 mg/kg dose difloxacin would be effective by SC and oral routes in rabbits against bacterial isolates with MIC0.1 microg/mL.

Pharmacokinetics and milk penetration of orbifloxacin after intravenous, subcutaneous, and intramuscular administration to lactating goats.

The single-dose disposition kinetics of orbifloxacin were determined in clinically normal lactating goats (n = 6) after intravenous, subcutaneous, and intramuscular administration of 2.5 mg of orbifloxacin/kg of body weight. Orbifloxacin concentrations were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. The concentration-time data were analyzed by compartmental and noncompartmental kinetic methods. Steady-state volume of distribution and clearance of orbifloxacin after intravenous administration were 1.13 +/- 0.08 L/kg and 0.40 +/- 0.11 L/h x kg, respectively. Following subcutaneous and intramuscular administration, orbifloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentrations of 1.85 +/- 0.20 and 1.66 +/- 0.14 mg/L at 1.25 +/- 0.22 and 0.87 +/- 0.38 h, respectively. The absolute bioavailabilities after subcutaneous and intramuscular routes were 108.96 +/- 17.61% and 105.01 +/- 15.61%, respectively. Orbifloxacin penetration from the blood into the milk was rapid and showed high levels of concentrations in milk secretion. From this data, orbifloxacin could have success against susceptible mastitis pathogens in goats.

Pharmacokinetics after intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration of difloxacin in sheep.

The disposition kinetics of difloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, after intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) administration were determined in sheep at a single dose of 5mg/kg. The concentration-time data were analysed by compartmental (after IV dose) and non-compartmental pharmacokinetics method (after IV, IM and SC administration). Plasma concentrations of difloxacin were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Steady-state volume of distribution (V(ss)) and clearance (Cl) of difloxacin after IV administration were 1.68+/-0.21L/kg and 0.21+/-0.03L/hkg, respectively. Following IM and SC administration difloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentration of 1.89+/-0.55 and 1.39+/-0.14mg/L at 2.42+/-1.28 and 5.33+/-1.03h, respectively. The absolute bioavailabilities after IM and SC routes were 99.92+/-26.50 and 82.35+/-25.65%, respectively. Based on these kinetic parameters, difloxacin is likely to be effective in sheep.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue tolerance of azithromycin after intramuscular administration to rabbits.

The pharmacokinetics of azithromycin after intravenous and intramuscular injection at a single dose rate of 10mg/kg bodyweight were investigated in rabbits by using a modified agar diffusion bioassay for determining plasma concentrations. The plasma creatine kinase activity was determined after i.m. administration for the evaluation of the tissue tolerance. The elimination half-lives of azithromycin after intravenous and intramuscular administration were 24.1 and 25.1h, respectively. After intramuscular administration mean peak plasma concentration was 0.26+/-0.01 mg/L and bioavailability was 97.7%. Plasma CK activity rose sharply within 8h after i.m. injection of azithromycin; activity returned to pre-treatment level by 48-72 h post-treatment. The transient rise in serum CK activity indicates some degree of muscle tissue damage at the injection site.

Pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin in horses after intravenous, intramuscular and intragastric administration.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Danofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone developed for veterinary medicine showing an excellent activity. However, danofloxacin pharmacokinetics profile have not been studied in horses previously. OBJECTIVE: To study the pharmacokinetics following i.v., i.m. and intragastric (i.g.) administration of 1.25 mg/kg bwt danofloxacin to 6 healthy horses. METHODS: A cross-over design was used in 3 phases (2 x 2 x 2), with 2 washout periods of 15 days (n = 6). Danofloxacin (18%) was administered by i.v. and i.m. routes at single doses of 1.25 mg/kg bwt. For i.g. administration an oral solution was prepared and administered via nasogastric tube. Danofloxacin concentrations were determined by HPLC assay with fluorescence detection. Tolerability at the the site of i.m. injection was monitored by creatine kinase (CK) activity. RESULTS: Danofloxacin plasma concentration vs. time data after i.v. and i.g. administration could best be described by a 2-compartment open model. The disposition of i.m. administered danofloxacin was best described by a one-compartment model. The terminal half-lives for i.v., i.m. and i.g. routes were 6.31, 5.36 and 4.74 h, respectively. Clearance value after i.v. dosing was 0.34 l/kg bwt/h. After i.m. administration, absolute bioavailability was mean +/- s.d. 88.48 +/- 11.10% and Cmax was 0.35 +/- 0.05 mg/l. After i.g. administration, absolute bioavailability was 22.36 +/- 6.84% and Cmax 0.21 +/- 0.07 mg/l. CK activity following i.m. dosing increased 3-fold over pre-injection levels 12 h after dosing and subsequently approached (but did not reach) normal values at 72 h post dose. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic danofloxacin exposure achieved in horses following i.m. administration was consistent with the predicted blood levels needed for a positive therapeutic outcome for many equine infections. Conversely, danofloxacin utility by the i.g. route was limited by low bioavailability. Tolerability associated with i.m. administration was high. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Pharmacokinetics, blood levels and good tolerability of i.v. and i.m. administration of danofloxacin in horses indicates that it is likely to be effective for treating sensitive bacterial infections.

Pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination after intravenous and intramuscular administration to pigeons.

The pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (4:1) combination were studied after intravenous and intramuscular administration of single doses (25 mg kg(-1) bodyweight) to 50 pigeons. The plasma concentrations-time data were analysed by compartmental pharmacokinetics and non-compartmental methods. The disposition curves for both drugs after intravenous administration were best described by a two-compartment open model. The apparent volumes of distribution of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid were 1.77 litres kg(-1) and 1.30 litres kg(-1) respectively. The body clearances of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid were not significantly different. The elimination half-lives of amoxicillin after intravenous and intramuscular administration were 1.22 (0.09) hour and 1.52 (0.09) hour respectively, and those of clavulanic acid were 1.15 (0.08) hour and 1.49 (0.08) hour. After intramuscular administration both drugs had a significantly longer half-life (P<0.05) than that after the intravenous treatment. The bioavailability after the intramuscular injection was high and similar for both drugs (75.98 per cent for amoxicillin and 74.61 per cent for clavulanic acid). The mean peak plasma concentration of clavulanic acid (0.29 hour) was reached earlier than amoxicillin (0.38 hour) and peak concentrations were proportional to the dose of both products administered (5.81 mg litre(-1) of amoxicillin and 1.89 mg litre(-1) of clavulanic acid). From a single administration it is proposed that an intramuscular dosage regimen of 105 mg kg(-1) of the combination (84 mg kg(-1) of amoxicillin and 21 mg kg(-1) of clavulanic acid) every 12 hours will achieve minimum concentrations > or =0.5 mg litre(-1) (minimum inhibitory concentration of most susceptible pathogens).

Pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline after intramuscular administration with lidocaine in sheep, comparison with a conventional formulation.

The pharmacokinetic behaviour of oxytetracycline (OTC) was studied in 11 sheep after intravenous and intramuscular administration at a single dosage of 20 mg kg(-1) bodyweight. A conventional formulation was injected by the intravenous route and two different preparations were administered by the intramuscular route: a conventional formulation (T-100) and an aqueous solution of OTC with lidocaine (1 per cent) (OTC-L). The objective was to determine whether there are differences between both formulations in the disposition kinetics of OTC after intramuscular administration to sheep. After intravenous administration of the conventional formulation, plasma oxytetracycline concentrations were best fitted to an open two-compartment model. Mean apparent volume of distribution was 0.77+/-0.02 litre kg(-1) and the harmonic mean half-life was three hours. The OTC transfer process between central and peripheral compartments was fast and that did not influence the elimination process. After intramuscular administrations of both formulations, half-lives were longer than after intravenous administration (mean values of 14.1 and 58.2 hours for T-100 and OTC-L respectively). In both cases, a biphasic absorption, a 'flip-flop' model and a complete bioavailability were found. OTC-L provided therapeutic plasma concentrations over 0.5 microg ml(-1) (the minimum inhibitory concentration for most susceptible pathogens) for a longer period of time than T-100 (72 hours compared with 36 or 48 hours).

Pharmacokinetics of moxidectin and doramectin in goats.

The pharmacokinetic behaviour of doramectin after a single subcutaneous administration and moxidectin following a single subcutaneous or oral drench were studied in goats at a dosage of 0.2 mg kg(-1). The drug plasma concentration-time data were analysed by compartmental pharmacokinetics and non-compartmental methods. Maximum plasma concentrations of moxidectin were attained earlier and to a greater extent than doramectin (shorter t(max) and greater C(max) and AUC than doramectin). MRT of doramectin (4.91 +/- 0.07 days) was also significantly shorter than that of moxidectin (12.43 +/- 1.28 days). Then, the exposure of animals to doramectin in comparison with moxidectin was significantly shorter. The apparent absorption rate of moxidectin was not significantly different after oral and subcutaneous administration but the extent of absorption, reflected in the peak concentration (C(max)) and the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), of the subcutaneous injection (24.27 +/- 1.99 ng ml(-1) and 136.72 +/- 7.35 ng d ml(-1) respectively) was significantly greater than that of the oral administration (15.53 +/- 1.27 ng ml(-1) and 36.72 +/- 4.05 ng d ml(-1) respectively). The mean residence time (MRT) of moxidectin didn't differ significantly when administered orally or subcutaneously. Therefore low oral bioavailability and the early emergence of resistance in this minor species may be related. These results deserve to be correlated with efficacy studies for refining dosage requirements of endectocides in this species.

Single-dose pharmacokinetics of ampicillin/sulbactam (2:1) combination after intravenous administration to sheep and goats.

The pharmacokinetic behaviour of a combination of ampicillin and sulbactam (2:1) in six sheep and six goats after single intravenous doses of 20 mg kg body weight-1 (13.33 mg kg-1 of ampicillin and 6.67 mg kg-1 of sulbactam) was investigated by using a high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determining plasma concentrations. The objective was to determine whether there are differences between sheep and goats in the disposition kinetics of ampicillin and sulbactam. The plasma concentration-time curves were analysed by compartmental pharmacokinetic and non-compartmental methods. The disposition curves for both drugs were best described by a biexponential equation (two-compartment open model) in both sheep and goats. The mean (SD) elimination half-lives of ampicillin were 0.32 (0.05) h in sheep and 0.32 (0.04) h in goats, and the half-lives of sulbactam were 0.74 (0.10) h and 0.79 (0.18) h in sheep and goats, respectively. The apparent volumes of distribution of ampicillin and sulbactam were similar in the two species. Mean (SD) body clearances of ampicillin were 0.69 (0.07) litre h-1 kg-1 in sheep and 0.72 (0.11) litre h-1 kg-1 in goats, and the body clearances of sulbactam were 0.38 (0.03) and 0.38 (0.07) litre h-1 kg-1 in sheep and goats, respectively. There were no significant differences between any of the pharmacokinetic parameters of ampicillin and sulbactam in the sheep and goats.

Milk kinetics of moxidectin and doramectin in goats.

The milk kinetics of doramectin after a single subcutaneous administration and moxidectin following a single subcutaneous or oral drench were studied in goats (n = 15) at a dosage of 0.2 mg kg(-1). Doramectin could be detected in the milk for 21.0+/-2.9 days after subcutaneous treatment, and the total fraction of the dose recovered from the milk was estimated to be 2.9+/-0.88 per cent. Moxidectin, after either oral or subcutaneous administration, could be detected in the milk up to day 40 and the total fractions of the dose recovered from the milk were estimated to be 5.7+/-1.04 per cent and 22.53+/-1.09 per cent, respectively. The mean residence time after subcutaneous administration indicated that moxidectin delivered by the milk persists three times longer than doramectin; furthermore, the total fraction of the dose of moxidectin recovered from the milk was 7.7 times higher than that of doramectin.

Pharmacokinetics of an ampicillin-sulbactam combination after intravenous and intramuscular administration to sheep.

The pharmacokinetics of a 2:1 ampicillin-sulbactam combination were studied in 6 sheep, after intravenous and intramuscular injection at a single dose rate of 20 mg/kg body weight (13.33 mg/kg of sodium ampicillin and 6.67 mg/kg of sodium sulbactam). The drugs were distributed according to an open 2-compartment model after intravenous administration and a one-compartment model with first order absorption after intramuscular administration. The apparent volumes of distribution calculated by the area method of ampicillin and sulbactam were 0.32+/-0.06 L/kg and 0.42+/-0.04 L/kg, respectively and the total body clearances were 0.69+/-0.07 and 0.38+/-0.03 L/kg x h, respectively. The elimination half-lives of ampicillin after intravenous and intramuscular administration were 0.32+/-0.05 h and 0.75+/-0.27 h, respectively, whereas for sulbactam the half-lives were 0.74+/-0.10 h and 0.89+/-0.16 h, respectively. The bioavailability after intramuscular injection was high and similar in both drugs (72.76+/-9.65% for ampicillin and 85.50+/-8.35% for sulbactam). The mean peak plasma concentrations of ampicillin and sulbactam were reached at similar times (0.25+/-0.10 h and 0.24+/-0.08 h, respectively) and peak concentrations were also similar but nonproportional to the dose of both products administered (13.01+/-7.36 mg/L of ampicillin and 10.39+/-3.95 mg/L of sulbactam). Both drugs had a similar pharmacokinetic behavior after intramuscular administration in sheep. Since the plasma concentrations of sulbactam where consistently higher during the elimination phase of their disposition, consideration could be given to formulating the ampicillin-sulbactam combination in a higher than 2:1 ratio.

Some pharmacokinetic parameters of ampicillin/sulbactam combination after intravenous and intramuscular administration to goats.

Some pharmacokinetic parameters of an ampicillin/sulbactam (2:1) combination were studied in six goats, after intravenous and intramuscular injection at a single dosage of 20 mg/kg bodyweight (13.33 mg/kg of sodium ampicillin and 6.67 mg/kg of sodium sulbactam). The drugs were distributed according to an open two-compartment model. The apparent volumes of distribution calculated by the area method of ampicillin and sulbactam were 0.34 +/- 0.04 l/kg and 0.45 +/- 0.15 l/kg, respectively, and the total body clearances were 0.72 +/- 0.11 and 0.38 +/- 0.07 l/kg.h. The half-lives of ampicillin after intravenous and intramuscular administration were 0.32 +/- 0.04 h and 0.71 +/- 0.14 h, respectively. For sulbactam the half-lives were 0.79 +/- 0.18 h and 1.13 +/- 0.21 h after administration by the same routes. The bioavailability after intramuscular injection was high and similar for both drugs (98.29% for ampicillin and 101.84% for sulbactam). The mean peak plasma levels of ampicillin (0.43 +/- 0.27 h) and sulbactam (0.34 +/- 0.14 h) were reached at a similar time, and peak concentrations were also similar and non-proportional to the dose of the products administered (11.02 +/- 3.11 mg/l of ampicillin and 9.5 +/- 0.98 mg/l of sulbactam).

Pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination after intravenous and oral administration in goats.

The intravenous and oral pharmacokinetics of an amoxicillin and clavulanic acid combination (20 mg/kg of sodium amoxicillin and 5 mg/kg of potassium clavulanate) were studied in six goats. After intravenous administration the pharmacokinetics of both drugs could be described by an open two-compartment model. Amoxicillin had a greater distribution volume (0.19 +/- 0.01 l/kg) than clavulanic acid (0.15 +/- 0.01 l/kg), whereas the distribution and elimination constants were higher for the latter, which was eliminated more quickly than amoxicillin. After oral administration of both drugs their pharmacokinetic behaviour was best described by an open one-compartment model with first-order absorption. Elimination half-lives were twice as long after oral (2.15 +/- 0.20 h and 1.94 +/- 0.16 h for amoxicillin and clavulanic acid respectively) than after intravenous administration (1.20 +/- 0.16 h and 0.86 +/- 0.09, respectively). An apparent 'flip-flop' situation was evident in this study. Bioavailability was 27% for amoxicillin and 50% for clavulanic acid.

Pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline in goats: modifications induced by a long-acting formulation.

The pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline were studied in goats, after the intravenous and intramuscular injection of a conventional and long-acting formulation. The antibiotic was distributed according to an open two-compartment model. The apparent volume of distribution (Vz) and the central compartment volume (Vc) were 1.443 litres/kg and 0.453 litre/kg, respectively, and the total body clearance was 0.156 litre/kg/hour. The mean half-lives (T1/2 lambda z) of the conventional formulation after intravenous and intramuscular administration were six hours 28 minutes and 10 hours 38 minutes, respectively, whereas the long-acting formulation had half-lives of six hours 36 seconds and 29 hours, respectively, after intravenous and intramuscular injection. From the results of these single administrations two intramuscular dosage regimens can be proposed that achieve minimum concentrations of over 0.5 mg/litre (the minimum inhibitory concentration for most susceptible pathogens): with the conventional formulation by administering an initial dose of 10 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 8.5 mg/kg every 24 hours, and with the long-acting formulation by administering an initial dose of 20 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 14 mg/kg every 48 hours.

Pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin in rabbit after intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous administration.

The disposition kinetics of marbofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, after intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) administration was determined in rabbits at a single dose of 2 mg/kg. Plasma concentrations of marbofloxacin were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The concentration-time data were analysed by compartmental and non-compartmental pharmacokinetic methods. Steady-state volume of distribution (V(ss)) and clearance (Cl) of marbofloxacin after i.v. administration were 1.99±0.27 L/kg and 0.42±0.04 L/h kg, respectively. Following i.m. and s.c. administration marbofloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentrations of 2.04±0.32 and 1.64±0.15 mg/L at 0.33±0.16 and 0.50±0.18 h, respectively. The absolute bioavailabilities after i.m. and s.c. routes were 123.30±17.64% and 114.81±12.11%, respectively. From these data (kinetic parameters and absence of adverse reactions) marbofloxacin is likely to be effective in rabbits.

Pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin after a single oral dose to loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).

The single-dose disposition kinetics of marbofloxacin (MBX) were determined in clinically healthy loggerhead sea turtles (n=5) after oral (PO) administration of 2 mg kg(-1) bodyweight. Marbofloxacin plasma concentrations were determined by DAD-HPLC (LOD/LOQ 0.015/0.05 microg ml(-1)). Data were subjected to non-compartmental analysis. Following PO administration, marbofloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentrations of 11.66+/-2.53 mg L(-1) at 15.00+/-3.00 h. The absence of general adverse reactions in the turtles of the study, and the favourable pharmacokinetic properties (long half-life and high maximum plasma concentration) of MBX administered PO at the single-dose of 2 mg kg(-1) suggest the possibility of its safe and effective clinical use in loggerhead sea turtles.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic integration of orbifloxacin in rabbits after intravenous, subcutaneous and intramuscular administration.

The single-dose disposition kinetics of orbifloxacin were determined in clinically normal rabbits (n=6) after intravenous (i.v.), subcutaneous (s.c.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration of 5 mg/kg bodyweight. Orbifloxacin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) assay of orbifloxacin against 30 strains of Staphylococcus aureus from several European countries was performed in order to compute pharmacodynamic surrogate markers. The concentration-time data were analysed by compartmental and noncompartmental kinetic methods. Steady-state volume of distribution (V(ss)) and total body clearance (Cl) of orbifloxacin after i.v. administration were estimated to be 1.71+/-0.38 L/kg and 0.91+/-0.20 L/h x kg, respectively. Following s.c. and i.m. administration orbifloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentrations of 2.95+/-0.82 and 3.24+/-1.33 mg/L at 0.67+/-0.20 and 0.65+/-0.12 h, respectively. The absolute bio-availabilities after s.c. and i.m. routes were 110.67+/-11.02% and 109.87+/-8.36%, respectively. Orbifloxacin showed a favourable pharmacokinetic profile in rabbits. However, on account of the low AUC/MIC and C(max)/MIC indices obtained, its use by i.m. and s.c. routes against the S. aureus strains assayed in this study cannot be recommended given the risk of selection of resistant populations.