COMPARATIVE PHARMACOKINETICS OF AMIKACIN FOLLOWING A SINGLE INTRAMUSCULAR OR SUBCUTANEOUS ADMINISTRATION IN GOATS (CAPRA-HIRCUS)

The pharmacokinetics of amikacin sulfate was investigated following a single intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) administration (10 mg/k g). The plasma concentration versus time data were analysed using the biexponential equation for first-order absorption and elimination phas es for both the Ih? and SC routes. The absorption half-life values for the IM and SC routes were found to be 14.64 and 12.36 min, respective ly. The biological half-life values of amikacin following IM and SC ro utes were found to be 84.46 and 93.96 min, respectively. The systemic availability of amikacin for both the IM (102.15 +/- 5.08%) and SC (10 6.82 +/- 12.95%) routes was found to be almost complete. Thus, based o n the data of short absorption half life, almost complete systemic ava ilability, slightly longer biological half life and ease of administra tion, we suggest that the SC route be preferred over the IM route for amikacin administration in goats. Amikacin at a dose level of 8 mg/kg body weight at 12 h intervals would result in a therapeutic peak plasm a concentration (Cp-max) of 32.30 mu g/mL, which is not expected to pr oduce any oto-or nephropathic effects.