Bioavailability of albendazole sulphoxide after netobimin administration in sheep: effects of fenbendazole coadministration.

After oral co-administration of two dosages of netobimin (7.5 and 20 mg kg-1 with fenbendazole (1.1 mg kg-1) to Merino sheep, the AUC0-infinity of albendazole sulphoxide at the lower dosage of netobimin, was significantly increased (75.5 per cent) from control value (34.43 +/- 7.91 versus 60.33 +/- 11.93 microg h ml-1). The pharmacokinetic parameters MRT and T1/2 were also increased: 18.96 +/- 2.54 vs 26.44 +/- 4.69 h and 10.31 +/- 1.72 vs 22.28 +/- 6.75 h respectively. No data corresponding to the higher dosage of netobimin (20 mg kg-1) were statistically different from control values. It is concluded that fenbendazole increases the bioavailability of albendazole sulphoxide in sheep at the 7.5 mg kg-1 dosage, and this may produce a potentiated anthelmintic action. Copyright 1999 W.B. Saunders Company Ltd.