Pharmacokinetics of Oxytetracycline in Sheep After Various Intravenous Doses

135 Abstract: Pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline were investigated in 20 sheep following intravenous injection of 40, 80 and 160 mg/kg doses. An increase in concentration of oxytetracycline was found with increasing dose at all the sampling times in each animal. The peak plasma concentration of oxytetracycline attained after intravenous administration of 40, 80 and 160 mg/kg of the drug was 18.67±0.09, 40.63±0.16 and 86.51±0.10 μg/ml, respectively. These plasma concentrations decreased with plasma half lives of 10.88 ± 0.29, 5.87 ± 0.08 and 7.35 ± 0.08 hours respectively. Oxytetracycyine resided, as indicated by MRT for 11.23±0.25, 5.78±0.08, 6.73±0.05 hours post dosing of 40, 80 and 160 μg/kg body weight of drug. After administration of the drug the Clt was observed to be 8.71±0.08, 9.73±0.06 and 9.74±0.03 ml/h. The Vd in the present study was concluded to be 8.19±0.2, 5.09±0.16 and 6.22±0.06 liters after three exponential doses. It was, therefore, concluded that the plasma concentration of oxytetracycline is dose related according to the present investigation.