Pharmacokinetics and tissue residues of josamycin in fowls.

Josamycin is a macrolide antibiotic which is produced by fermentation of cultures of Streptomyces narbonensis. It was once administrated (18 mg/kg b. wt.) in fowls via intravenous, oral and intramuscular routes for determination of blood concentration, kinetic behaviour and bioavailability. Following a single intravenous injection, the blood concentration-time-curve indicated a two compartments open model with an elimination half life value (t1/2 beta) of 1.83 +/- 0.06 hours. Both oral and intramuscular routes showed higher values, i.e. 2.33 +/- 0.13 and 2.85 +/- 0.17 hours. The lower apparent volume of distribution of Josamycin in fowls than one liter/kg elucidate higher distribution in blood than in tissues. Systemic bioavailability after both oral and intramuscular administration, i.e. 33.88 +/- 2.4 and 27.28 +/- 1.46% respectively, showed lower absorption from site of i.m. application. Josamycin was administered (18 mg/kg b. wt.) intramuscularly and orally once daily for 5 consecutive days. The drug peaked in serum 1 hour (intramuscular) and 2 hours (orally) after each dose. The recorded results revealed that serum level of Josamycin was higher after oral application (29.98 +/- 1.92 micrograms/ml) than after i.m. application. The drug persisted in the lung tissues and fat for 72 hours after administration and disappeared from all body tissues 96 hours after the last dose of repeated administration.