Disposition of ciprofloxacin following intravenous administration in dogs.

The pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin (CIP) following intravenous administration in dogs have been investigated. The drug was administered at three doses (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight) and was assayed in biological fluid samples (plasma and urine) by an HPLC method. The plasma concentration-time curves were best described by a two-compartment open pharmacokinetic model. The drug was widely distributed (Vd(area) almost 3 l/kg), being distributed in the dog more rapidly than in other species (t1/2(lambda 1) 3 min approximately). The elimination half-life (t1/2 lambda 2) was 129-180 min which is similar to values obtained in other species. The unchanged drug eliminated in urine was less than 37% of the administered dose, which is less than the values obtained in humans, calves and pigs. The glomerular filtration rate and the renal clearance of CIP in the dog suggest that renal elimination probably occurs mainly by glomerular filtration. The results showed that the pharmacokinetics of CIP, as in other species, was linear in dogs in the dose range studied.