Pharmacokinetic properties and oral bioavailabilities of difloxacin in pig and chicken.

1. Pharmacokinetic properties of difloxacin have been studied in pig and chicken after intravenous and oral administration. 2. The serum concentrations of difloxacin in pig and chicken after intravenous administration were best described by a two-compartment open model, giving distribution half-lives of 0.50 and 0.66 h and elimination half-lives of 7.92 and 4.10 h for pig and chicken respectively. The steady-state distribution volumes were 1.70 and 3.06 l/kg for pig and chicken respectively. 3. After oral administration of 5 mg/kg to pig and chicken, the serum concentrations reached maximal levels of 3.61 and 0.96 microg/ml respectively at 1.25 and 1.40 h. The elimination half-lives were 11.8 and 7.35 h for pig and chicken respectively. 4. The bioavailabilities of difloxacin were calculated as 93.7 (pig) and 86.9% (chicken).