PHARMACOKINETICS OF THE ANTI-HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS NUCLEOSIDE ANALOG STAVUDINE IN CYNOMOLGUS MONKEYS

Stavudine was administered (15 mg/kg of body weight) intravenously and orally to two monkeys in a randomized crossover study. Plasma and uri ne samples were analyzed for stavudine by high-performance liquid chro matography, and pharmacokinetic parameters were derived by a noncompar tmental method. Total body clearance of stavudine was 0.64 liters/h/kg , with a steady-state volume of distribution of 0.68 liters/kg, a term inal half-life of 0.83 h, a urinary recovery of 44%, and an oral bioav ailability of 80%. These values were reasonably similar to those repor ted for patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex.