Improvement of Albendazole Bioavailability with Menbutone Administration in Sheep

The pharmacokinetic interaction between a benzimidazole (albendazole, ABZ) and a choleretic drug (menbutone, MEN) was evaluated in sheep. The plasma disposition of albendazole sulfoxide (ABZSO, active metabolite) and albendazole sulfone (ABZSO₂, inactive metabolite) was investigated following an oral administration of albendazole (ABZ) (5 mg/kg) alone or with menbutone (MEN) (intramuscular, 10 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected over 3 days post-treatment, and drug plasma concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). ABZSO was measured from 0.5 to 48 h, and ABZSO₂ from 2 to 60 h. No parent drug was detected at any sampling time. Mean maximum plasma concentration (C_max) and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) were 12.8% and 21.5% higher for ABZSO when ABZ and MEN were administered together, which indicates a significant increase in the amount absorbed. The rate of absorption was not modified, with similar values for the time to reach C_max (t_max) (11.5 h with ABZ + MEN and 10.7 h with ABZ treatment), although no significant differences were observed for these latter pharmacokinetic parameters. Regarding ABZSO₂, C_max, AUC and t_max values were similar after both treatments (ABZ or ABZ + MEN). The results obtained indicate that co-administration of ABZ and MEN may be an interesting and practical option to increase the efficacy of this anthelmintic.