Disposition kinetics of cefepime following single dose intramuscular administration in calves

Disposition kinetics of cefepime was studied after single dose intramuscular administration at the dose rate of 5 mg/kg body weight in cow calves. Following intramuscular administration, the peak plasma drug concentration was 8.16±0.36 mg/ml achieved at 1.0 h and drug was detected up to 18 h. The therapeutically effective concentration of cefepime (³1.0 mg/ml) was maintained in serum of calves up to 12 h. The drug was rapidly absorbed from the site of injection (t_1/2ka: 0.21±0.03 h), widely distributed [Vd _(area); 0.99±0.08 L/kg] and slowly eliminated from the body (t_1/2b:6.71±0.42 h). The bioavailability of cefepime was 98±3 per cent. Results of present study favour the use of cefepime for the treatment of various bacterial diseases in calves, where conventional antibiotics fail.