Pharmacokinetics of phenobarbital in the cat following intravenous and oral administration.

Phenobarbital was administered to eight healthy cats as a single intravenous dose of 10 mg/kg. Serum phenobarbital concentrations were determined using an immunoassay technique. The intravenous data were fitted to one-, two- and three-compartment models. After statistical comparison of the three models, a two-compartment model was selected. Following intravenous administration, the drug was rapidly distributed (distribution half-life = 0.046 +/- 0.007 h) with a large apparent volume of distribution (931 +/- 44.8 mL/kg). Subsequent elimination of phenobarbital from the body was slow (elimination half-life = 58.8 +/- 4.21 h). Three weeks later, a single oral dose of phenobarbital (10 mg/kg) was administered to the same group of cats. A one-compartment model with an input component was used to describe the results. After oral administration, the initial rapid absorption phase (absorption half-life = 0.382 +/- 0.099 h) was followed by a plateau in the serum concentration (13.5 +/- 0.148 micrograms/mL) for approximately 10 h. The half-life of the terminal elimination phase (76.1 +/- 6.96 h) was not significantly different from the half-life determined for the intravenous route. Bioavailability of the oral drug was high (F = 1.20 +/- 0.120). Based on the pharmacokinetic parameters determined in this study, phenobarbital appears to be a suitable drug for use as an anticonvulsant in the cat.