Effect of enrofloxacin on digoxin clearance and steady-state serum concentrations in dogs

The effect of enrofloxacin on the oral clearance and steady-state concentrations of digoxin in serum was evaluated in dogs. Digoxin was administered orally to six healthy adult Beagle dogs following a multiple-dose regimen of 0.0625 mg every 12 h for 23 days. From days 14 to 23 enrofloxacin was administered orally at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg every 12 h, with subjects receiving enrofloxacin 2 h prior to digoxin. Trough serum concentrations of digoxin were measured using an immunoassay technique. On days 13 and 22, dogs were catheterized for multiple blood sample collection during the 12 h digoxin dosing interval and serum samples were analyzed for digoxin concentrations. In general, steady-state digoxin concentrations in trough serum were not significantly different during enrofloxacin treatment than before enrofloxacin administration. Similarly, digoxin oral clearance was not significantly different between pre-enrofloxacin and digoxin + enrofloxacin periods. We conclude that enrofloxacin is unlikely to have a significant impact on digoxin disposition in dogs.