Comparative pharmacokinetics of doramectin and ivermectin in cattle

Plasma pharmacokinetics were compared for 40 cattle dosed by subcutaneous injection with doramectin or ivermectin (200 micrograms kg-1), commercial formulations of doramectin or ivermectin, 20 cattle per product). Doramectin exhibited a similar peak plasma concentration to ivermectin (about 32 ng ml-1), but the time to Cmax was longer for doramectin (5.3 +/- 0.35 days) than for ivermectin (4.0 +/- 0.28 days). The area under the curve from time 0 to infinity post-injection was significantly higher (p < 0.001) for doramectin (511 +/- 16 ng day ml-1) than for ivermectin (361 +/- 17 ng day ml-1). This was explained by a lower clearance, a lower volume of distribution and, probably, a higher bioavailability of doramectin over ivermectin. It is concluded that the pharmacokinetic differences between doramectin and ivermectin may explain the longer duration of preventive efficacy of doramectin.