Intramuscular pharmacokinetics and dosage regimen of cefepime in buffalo calves

The disposition kinetics and dosage regimen of cefepime were investigated in buffalo calves following a single intramuscular administration of cefepime (10 mg.kg^-1 body weight). Pharmacokinetic data after intramuscular administration was best described by one-compartment open model. The peak plasma concentration of cefepime at 45 min was 24.0 ± 0.30 μg.ml-1, which decreased to 0.20 ± 0.003 μg.ml-1 at 24 h. The absorption half-life and elimination half-life were 0.17 ± 0.005 h and 2.46 ± 0.004 h, respectively. The apparent volume of distribution (Vd_area), total plasma clearance and mean residence time were 0.51 ± 0.003 L.kg^-1, 0.139 ± 0.001 L.kg^-1.h^-1 and 3.84 ± 0.01 h, respectively. The systemic bioavailability (F) of cefepime in buffalo calves was 99.6 ± 1.33 per cent. To maintain a minimum therapeutic concentration of cefepime as 1.0 μg.ml^-1, a satisfactory dosage regimen of should be 14.8 mg.kg^-1 repeated at 12 h intrervals.