Pharmacokinetics of Metronidazole in the Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
Assoc Reptilian Amphibian Vet 8[3]:4-7 Winter'98 Reports of Original Studies 20 Refs

- The present study examined metronidazole pharmacokinetics in five captive green iguanas, Iguana iguana. An initial 20 mg/kg dose of metronidazole suspension (Flagyl) was administered orally, and blood samples were collected at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours. Following the 48 hour blood collection, metronidazole was administered every 24 hours for an additional ten doses. Blood samples were collected at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 71 hours following the final metronidazole dose. Plasma metronidazole levels were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. The predicted times of maximum metronidazole plasma levels were 3.7 hours following the initial treatment and 4.0 hours following the final treatment. Mean concentrations +/- standard error of the mean (SEM) at these times were 7.6 +/- 1.3 ug/ml and 22.8 +/- 6.2 g/ml, respectively. In the present study, mean plasma metronidazole concentrations remained above 4.0 ug/ml for 12 hours following the initial treatment and 24 hours following the final treatment. No adverse effects were observed in any iguana. These data indicate that a metronidazole dosage of 20 mg/kg PO q 24 hr should achieve MIC values adequate for aggressive treatment of anaerobic infections in green iguanas and for resistant cases. A dosage of 20 mg/kg PO q 48 hr should be adequate for eradicating more sensitive anaerobic bacteria. (Author Abstract)