Effect of meloxicam co-administration on pharmacokinetics of Cefquinome following intramuscular administration in dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Abstract

The present study was planned to investigate the pharmacokinetics study of Cefquinome (a fourth generation cephalosporin) when administered intramuscularly at the dose rate of 1 mg.kg-1 body weight either alone and in combination with meloxicam (a NSAID) at the dose rate of 0.6 mg.kg-1 body weight in camel. Cefquinome concentrations in plasma were determined by HPLC Method. The plasma concentration-time profile of Cefquinome following intramuscular administration was best described by two-compartment open model. The peak plasma concentration (Cmax cal.) of 1.013±0.038 µg.ml-1 was achieved at 5.257±0.067 h (tmax cal.). The absorption half-life (t½ka), elimination half-life (t½β), area under plasma drug concentration-time curve (AUC) and apparent volume of distribution (Vdarea) of Cefquinome were 3.401±0.042 h, 3.754±0.072 h, 14.417±0.621 µg.ml-1 h and 0.379±0.016 L.kg-1, respectively. No significant alterations were observed in pharmacokinetic parameters of cefquinome in camel after meloxicam co-administration and therefore, dose regimen for cefquinome need not be altered when meloxicam is used in combination. Any adverse drug effects could not be detected in camel during or after single intramuscular co-administration of cefquinome with meloxicam for five consecutive days. Integration of pharmacokinetic data generated from the present study and minimum inhibitory concentration of common bacterial pathogens suggest that the cefquinome can be administered at the dose rate of 1 mg.kg-1 body weight through intramuscular route, either alone or in combination with meloxicam to combat susceptible bacterial infections in camel.