Pharmacokinetic parameters of amoxicillin in pigs and poultry.

Pharmacokinetic studies are used to discover the fate of drug in the body. Knowledge of the route of removal, metabolic paths and the degree of efficiency are vital informations for the right dosage, which protects the body against potential drug toxicity (1ñ5). Amoxicillin (AMX) is a semisynthetic penicillin (2, 5, 6ñ8) belonging to aminopenicillin group with a wide range of bactericidal activity against Gram negative and Gram positive pathogens (7ñ12). Amoxicillinresistant G+ and Gñ bacteria producing β-lactamase enzymes are: Mycoplasma, Klebsiella sp, Proteus sp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacterioides fragilis (13). Species, age of the animal, causative agent of the disease, general condition, capacity of the kidneys and liver, route of administration of antibiotics are factors affecting the pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin. A valuable feature of amoxicillin is very low toxicity to the mammalian body in comparison with other antibacterial preparations. The mechanism of activity is conected with a blockage of alaninotranspeptidase synthesis, which is vital for bacteria and is not producted in mammalian cells (5). The aim of this study was to determine and compare the pharmacokinetic parameters of amoxicillin in pigs and poultry.