Sustained release characteristics of rifampin-loaded microsphere formulations in nonhuman primates.

Controlled release rifampin-loaded microspheres were evaluated for the first time in nonhuman primates. Animals received either 2.0 g of a large formulation (10-150 microm, 23 wt% rifampin) injected subcutaneously at Day 0 (118-139 mg rifampin/kg), 4.0 g of a small formulation (1-10 microm, 5.8 wt% rifampin) administered intravenously in 2.0 g doses on Day 0 and 7 (62.7-72.5 mg rifampin/kg), or a combination of small and large microspheres (169-210 mg rifampin/kg). Extended rifampin release was observed up to 48 days. Average rifampin concentrations remaining in the liver, lung, and spleen at 30 days were 14.03, 4.09, and 1.98 microg/g tissue, respectively.