Plasma concentrations of itraconazole following a single oral dose in juvenile California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Issue 4 (14th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scott, Gregory; Field, Cara L.; Papich, Mark G.; Harms, Craig A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics. Volume 43:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 377
• Page End: 380
• Publication Date: 2020-04-14
• Subjects: California sea lion -- itraconazole -- pharmacokinetics -- Zalophus californianus; Veterinary pharmacology -- Periodicals; Therapeutics -- Periodicals; 636.0895105
• DOI: 10.1111/jvp.12865
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-7783

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this study was to establish a single‐dose pharmacokinetic profile for orally administered itraconazole in California sea lions ( Zalophus californianus ). Twenty healthy rehabilitated juvenile California sea lions were included in this study. Itraconazole capsules were administered orally with food at a target dose of 5–10 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected from each animal at 0 hr and at two of the following timepoints: 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hr. Quantitative analysis of itraconazole in plasma samples was performed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. An average maximum concentration of 0.22 µg/ml ± 0.11 was detected 4 hr after administration. The average concentration fell to 0.12 µg/ml ± 0.11 by 6 hr and 0.02 µg/ml ± 0.02 at 12 hr. At no point did concentrations reach 0.5 µg/ml, the concentration commonly accepted for therapeutic efficacy. While this formulation was well tolerated by the sea lions, oral absorption was poor and highly variable among individuals. These data indicate that a single oral dose of itraconazole given as a capsule at 5–10 mg/kg, under the conditions used in this study, does not achieve therapeutic plasma concentrations in California sea lions.