Pharmacokinetics of fluconazole after oral administration of single and multiple doses in African grey parrots

Abstract

Objective - To determine the pharmacokinetics and effects of orally administered fluconazole in African grey parrots. Animals - 40 clinically normal Timneh African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus timneh). Procedure - In single-dose trials, parrots were placed into groups of 4 to 5 birds each and fluconazole was administered orally at 10 and 20 mg/kg. Blood samples for determination of plasma fluconazole concentrations were collected from each group at 2 or 3 of the following time points: 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 31, 48, and 72 hours. In multiple-dose trials, fluconazole was administered orally to groups of 5 birds each at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg every 48 hours for 12 days. Trough plasma concentrations were measured 3 times during treatment. Groups receiving 20 mg/kg were monitored for changes in plasma biochemical analytes and blood samples were collected on days 1 and 13 of treatment to allow comparison of terminal half-life. Results - Peak plasma concentrations of fluconazole were 7.45 and 18.59 μg/mL, and elimination half-lives were 9.22 and 10.19 hours for oral administration of 10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively. Oral administration of fluconazole for 12 days at 10 or 20 mg/kg every 48 hours did not cause identifiable adverse effects or change the disposition of fluconazole. Conclusions and clinical relevance - Oral administration of fluconazole to parrots at 10 to 20 mg/kg every 24 to 48 hours maintains plasma concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration for several common yeast species. The prolonged dosing interval is an advantage of this treatment regimen.