Fluconazole in cats: pharmacokinetics following intravenous and oral administration and penetration into cerebrospinal fluid, aqueous humour and pulmonary epithelial lining fluid.

The pharmacokinetics of fluconazole following intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration and the penetration of fluconazole into cerebrospinal fluid, aqueous humour and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of the lungs were evaluated in adult male cats. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated from serum concentration-time data obtained following i.v. and p.o. administration of 50 mg per cat using a cross-over study design. Fluconazole concentrations were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography assay. Mean total body clearance of fluconazole was 37.7 mL/h.kg, mean volume of distribution at steady state was 1.14 L/kg, mean residence time was 31.0 h and mean half-life of elimination was 25 h as derived by non-compartmental analysis of data. Absorption was complete. Mean ratios of fluid:serum fluconazole concentrations following administration of 50 mg fluconazole per day for 8 days were as follows: cerebrospinal fluid, 0.88; aqueous humour 0.79; ELF, 1.20. Fluconazole concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid, aqueous humour and ELF exceeded reported minimum inhibitory concentrations of fluconazole for pathogenic fungi. Results of this study suggest fluconazole can effectively be administered to cats at 50 mg per cat per day.