How should sumamed be prepared for rats?

How should sumamed be prepared for rats? - briefly

Dissolve azithromycin tablets or powder in sterile physiological saline to achieve the desired concentration (e.g., 10 mg mL⁻¹), filter-sterilize, and store at 4 °C protected from light. Administer the solution by oral gavage at the prescribed mg‑per‑kg dosage immediately before use.

How should sumamed be prepared for rats? - in detail

When preparing azithromycin (commercially known as Sumamed) for rodent dosing, follow a reproducible protocol that ensures accurate concentration, stability, and sterility.

1. Materials

   • Sumamed tablets or injectable powder (pharmaceutical grade).
   • Sterile water for injection (WFI) or 0.9 % saline as diluent.
   • pH‑adjusting agents (e.g., 1 M NaOH or HCl).
   • Syringe filters (0.22 µm) and sterile vials.
   • Calibrated balance, volumetric flask, and vortex mixer.

2. Calculating dose

   • Desired dose: 10 mg kg⁻¹ (typical therapeutic range for rats).
   • Average rat weight: 250 g → required drug per animal = 2.5 mg.
   • Prepare a stock solution that delivers the required dose in a convenient administration volume (e.g., 0.5 mL per 250 g rat).
   • Stock concentration = 2.5 mg / 0.5 mL = 5 mg mL⁻¹.

3. Weighing and dissolving

   • Weigh the exact amount of Sumamed needed for the total volume of stock solution (e.g., 50 mg for 10 mL).
   • Transfer powder to a sterile glass beaker, add half the final volume of WFI, and vortex until fully dissolved.
   • Adjust pH to 6.5–7.5 with diluted NaOH or HCl; azithromycin remains stable in this range.

4. Final volume and filtration

   • Bring the solution to the final volume with sterile diluent.
   • Pass the solution through a 0.22 µm syringe filter into a sterile, labeled vial.
   • Store the prepared solution at 2–8 °C; use within 24 h to avoid degradation.

5. Administration

   • Warm the vial to room temperature before dosing.
   • Load the required volume (0.5 mL per 250 g rat) into a sterile syringe.
   • Deliver intraperitoneally or subcutaneously, depending on the study protocol.

6. Quality checks

   • Verify concentration by measuring absorbance at 210 nm (azithromycin λmax) and compare with a standard curve.
   • Inspect for precipitation or discoloration before each use.

By adhering to these steps, researchers obtain a consistent, sterile azithromycin preparation suitable for precise dosing in rat experiments.