Research Article
Emmanuel AI, Saganuwan SA a
Abstract
Sulphadimidine is used in the treatment of susceptible enteric bacteria that could cause enteritis and since piroxicam is a potent anti-inflammatory agent, it is co-administered with piroxicam intramuscularly. In view of this, effects of piroxicam on the pharmacokinetics of sulphadimidine were studied in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Twenty goats of both sexes, aged 1-year-old and weighing 10.4 ± 1.3 kg were divided into two groups of 10 each (5 males; 5 females) were administered 100 mg/kg body weight of sulphadimidine via right thigh muscle, whereas piroxicam (5 mg/kg) was administered to WAD goats (5 males; 5 females). Blood samples were collected over a range of time (0-192 hrs) and analyzed for presence of sulphadimidine. The results showed significant increase (p<0.05) in time maximum (Tmax=1.90 ± 0.45 hr), elimination half-life (T1/2β=9.13 ± 1.26 hr) and mean residence time (13.51 ± 1.90 hr) in male goats administered sulphadimidine/piroxicam as compared to Tmax (1.10 ± 0.29 hr), T1/2β (7.24 ± 0.59 hr) and MRT (10.54 ± 0.92 hr) of male goats administered sulphadimidine alone. However, WAD goats showed significant increase (P<0.05) in time maximum (Tmax=1.50 ± 0.22 hr), volume of distribution area (Vdarea=3.94 ± 0.55 L/kg), elimination half-life (T1/2β=8.72 ± 0.84 hr) and mean residence time (MRT=12.77 ± 1.90 hr) in female goats administered sulphadimidine with piroxicam as compared to Tmax (0.90 ± 0.18 hr), Vdarea (3.39 ± 0.38 l/kg), T1/2β (70.68 ± 0.72 hr) and MRT (11.25 ± 1.11 hr) of female goats administered sulphadimidine alone. Co-administration of piroxicam with sulphadimidine may delay elimination of sulphadimidine, prolong its therapeutic effect and withdrawal period in West African Dwarf goats.