Biopharmaceutical Characterization of Nebulized Antimicrobial Agents in Rats: 6. Aminoglycosides.

Amikacin and gentamicin pharmacokinetic behaviors after nebulization were determined by comparing plasma and pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (ELF) concentrations in rats after intratracheal and intravenous administrations. ELF areas under concentration-time curve were 874 and 162 times higher after nebulization than after intravenous administration for amikacin and gentamicin, respectively. Even if both molecules appear to be good candidates for nebulization, these results demonstrate a much higher targeting advantage of nebulization for amikacin than for gentamicin.