Effect of Meloxicam on the Kinetic Profile of Sulphadimidine in West African Dwarf (WAD) Goats

The use of antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the management of disease conditions in animals is widespread. This study aims to determine the effect of meloxicam at a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight on the kinetic profile of sulphadimidine administered at a single dose of 100 mg/kg body weight in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Four healthy West African Dwarf (WAD) goats, aged 6 to 7 months and weighing between 7 and 9 kg, were utilized in a two-phase crossover study with a one-month washout period. In phase one, the goats received sulphadimidine (100 mg/kg) administered into the left gluteus muscle. In phase two, the goats were given sulphadimidine at the same dosage concurrently with meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg) administered into the right gluteus muscle. Two milliliters of blood were collected from all the goats in an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) bottle before drug administration (0 hours) and subsequently at intervals up to 48 hours. The concentrations of sulphadimidine in plasma were measured using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. Concentration-time curves were fitted, and pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated for each administration group. The area under the curve (AUC) for the group receiving only sulphadimidine was notably lower (1350.05±113.39 µg/ml.hr, p< 0.05) when compared to the group that was administered both sulphadimidine and meloxicam together (22901.07±1222.36 µg/ml.hr). This suggests that systemic exposure to sulphadimidine is enhanced when meloxicam is used in combination. The concurrent use of sulphadimidine and meloxicam did not show any significant changes to the pharmacokinetic profile of sulphadimidine, aside from the area under the curve. Thus, these two medications can be utilized together for treating bacterial infections in goats that need an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, or analgesic treatment.