Prednisolone succinate and prednisolone acetate in cattle: pharmacokinetics and action on the adrenal gland.

The pharmacokinetics of prednisolone were studied in a group of 6 cows given prednisolone 21-sodium succinate IV and IM (600 micrograms/kg of body weight expressed as prednisolone alcohol) and prednisolone acetate IM (600 micrograms/kg of body weight expressed as prednisolone alcohol). After IV administration of prednisolone 21-sodium succinate, the half-life of elimination was 3.6 +/- 1.177 hours. After IM administration of prednisolone 21-sodium succinate, absorption was rapid and complete. After IM administration of prednisolone acetate, absorption was very slow with an absorption half-life of 48 hours, but was still complete. Basal plasma hydrocortisone was about 7.5 ng/ml. After IV and IM administration of prednisolone 21-sodium succinate, plasma hydrocortisone returned to normal values within 48 hours. In contrast, after IM administration of prednisolone acetate, a long adrenal suppression lasting from 4 to 6 weeks was observed.