Age-related changes in the absorption and distribution patterns of trimethoprim/sulfadiazine were studied following oral or subcutaneous administration of 15 mg/kg of the drug combination in calves. Following oral administration, the time course of trimethoprim/sulfadiazine appearance and dissipation in serum, synovial fluid and urine was followed for periods up to 48 hours in calves one day, one week and six weeks of age. The profiles of drug appearance-disappearance in these body fluids were also determined after subcutaneous administration in seven week old calves. The peak serum and synovial fluid levels of trimethoprim/sulfadiazine achieved following oral administration were substantially lower with increasing maturation. In ruminating (six and seven week old) calves, subcutaneous or oral administration of the combination led to high serum levels of sulfadiazine but little or no serum trimethoprim was detected in animals at this age. The data indicate that, while therapeutic concentrations and optimum ratios of the drugs may be achieved for extended time periods in neonatal life, this dosage is unable to produce optimum serum and synovial fluid concentrations as the calves mature.
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