Pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability of an oral amoxicillin-apramycin combination in pigs

A new compound granular premix of amoxicillin (20% w/w dry mass)/apramycin (5% w/w dry mass) was developed, and its pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability were determined in pigs following oral administration following a cross-over study design. The pharmacokinetic parameters of amoxicillin (t(1/2λ) = 6.43 ± 4.85h, C(max) = 3.2 ± 1.35 μg·mL(-1), T(max) = 1.92 ± 0.58, AUC(INF) = 8.98 ± 2.11 h·μg·mL(-1)) and apramycin (t(1/2λ) = 8.67±4.4h, C(max) = 0.23 ± 0.12 μg·mL(-1), T(max) = 2.25 ± 0.82 h, AUC(INF) = 12.37 ± 8.64h·μg·mL(-1)) when administered as the amoxicillin-apramycin granular premix did not significantly differ from those for the single-ingredient powder form of each component. The relative bioavailability of amoxicillin following oral administration of the amoxicillin-apramycin granular premix was 22.62% when compared to the intramuscular administration of commercial amoxicillin sodium-powder. This is the first report of a new amoxicillin-apramycin combination which has a potential veterinary application the for prevention and treatment digestive tract infections in pigs.