Pharmacokinetic parameters of meloxicam after its oral administration in goat

Aim: The objective of the present study was to find out the levels of analgesic drug meloxicam in the blood plasma of young goats. The drug was given to them through oral route. Data was used to elucidate the Pharmacokinetic determinants of the drug which were employed to arrive at the dose schedule and frequency of the drug in goats. Materials and Methods: Elaborate pharmacokinetic research of the drug meloxicam was done on 18 to 24 months old, five adult male local goats (Capra hircus) of Assam weighing 20 to 25 kg.The drug was given orally at the dose rate of 0.35 mg/kg at the Goat Rearing farm, Guwahati, Assam. Analysis of blood was done by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. Results: The mean values of area under curve (AUC) and mean area under curve (AUMC) were 3137.488 ± 125.3749 2 μg.min/ml and 4650460 ± 380892.4744 μg.min /ml respectively .The mean peak plasma level of meloxicam was 1.972 ± 0.0477 μg/ml at 600 min. The mean values of elimination half life (t ) and absorption half life (t ) were 693±0.00 min and 1/2β 1/2Ka 170.6 ± 17.0076 min respectively. The mean values of volume of distribution (Vd) and mean residence time (MRT) were 0.114 ± 0.0156 L/kg and 1472.264 ± 63.336 min respectively. The mean value of T was found to be 497 ± 19.8040 min. Following max single oral administration the minimum effective therapeutic concentration or minimum effective plasma concentration of meloxicam was detectable up to 1200 min. The bioavailibity (F) of the drug was 80.5 ± 10.0150%. Conclusion: These pharmacokinetic determinants were used to determine the frequency and dose schedule of meloxicam in goats. The minimum effective concentration of the drug is 0.7 μg/ml in plasma. To maintain this, an initial loading dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight should be followed by a maintenance dose of 0.4 mg/kg body weight/10 hour.