DefinePK

Abstract

A comparative plasma kinetics of sulphadimidine (100 mg kg-1, intravenous) studied by chemical assay in non-starved and starved rabbits has shown that; the mean peak plasma concentrations of the drug (101.70±5.74 μg mL-1) was higher in the starved than the non-starved animals (72.45±6.22 μg mL-1). The volume of distribution of the drug (Vdβ) and the total body clearance (CL) were significantly reduced after deprivation of food for 48 h in the animals. Equally, the elimination rate constant (β = 0.078 h-1) was higher in the non-starved than in the starved rabbits (β = 0.052 h-1). The study therefore concludes that, short term starvation has significantly increased the plasma concentrations and altered the kinetic profile of sulphadimidine following intravenous administration in rabbits. Thus, this factor should be considered when administering the drug to avoid dose dependent toxicity.