Plasma pharmacokinetics, milk residue depletion profile, and milk withdrawal interval estimation following multiple-dose oral administration of meloxicam to lactating dairy goats.

Introduction: Meloxicam is frequently administered orally to lactating dairy goats in an extra-label manner. However, since Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved withdrawal times have not been established, this raises concerns for potential drug residues in milk. This study aimed to estimate plasma pharmacokinetics, determine meloxicam residues in milk based on concentration versus time depletion profiles, and calculate estimated withdrawal interval (WDI) recommendations for meloxicam following multiple oral doses administered to lactating dairy goats. Methods: Meloxicam was administered to healthy mid-lactation dairy goats ( Results: Following the final administered dose, the geometric mean plasma estimated T Conclusion: This study estimated the plasma pharmacokinetic parameters and theoretical milk residue depletion profiles for meloxicam following multiple oral doses administered to healthy lactating dairy goats. The theoretical elimination half-life of meloxicam for milk is shorter for goats than cattle, resulting in shorter estimated WDIs for the same dosing regimen. From a food safety perspective, meloxicam cattle withdrawal times (WDTs) or estimated WDIs may be appropriately conservative for application to goats when properly adjusted for dose, route, and regulatory tolerances/MRLs.