Biopharmaceutical Characterization of Nebulized Antimicrobial Agents in Rats: 3. Tobramycin.

The aim of this study was to determine the biopharmaceutical characteristics of tobramycin (TOB) after nebulization in rats. TOB was administered by intravenous (i.v.) bolus or intratracheal nebulization (3 mg.kg(-1)), and concentrations were determined in plasma and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The ratio of the TOB concentration in ELF to the plasma area under the curve (AUC) was more than 200 times as high after NEB as after i.v. bolus administration, indicating that TOB nebulization offers a biopharmaceutical advantage over i.v. administration.