A review of the pharmacology and clinical application of alfaxalone in cats

•The pharmacology and use of alfaxalone as an anaesthetic agent in cats is reviewed.•The pharmacokinetic properties of alfaxalone-HPCD in cats are described.•The pharmacodynamic properties of alfaxalone-HPCD, including effects on body systems, are described.•The clinical applications of alfaxalone-H...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The veterinary journal (1997) 2015-02, Vol.203 (2), p.141-148
Main Authors: Warne, Leon N., Beths, Thierry, Whittem, Ted, Carter, Jennifer E., Bauquier, Sébastien H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alfaxalone
alpha-Cyclodextrins - pharmacokinetics
alpha-Cyclodextrins - pharmacology
alpha-Cyclodextrins - therapeutic use
Anaesthesia
Anesthetics, Intravenous - pharmacokinetics
Anesthetics, Intravenous - pharmacology
Anesthetics, Intravenous - therapeutic use
Animals
Cats - metabolism
Feline
Intravenous anaesthesia
Oligosaccharides - pharmacokinetics
Oligosaccharides - pharmacology
Oligosaccharides - therapeutic use
Pharmacology
Pregnanediones - pharmacokinetics
Pregnanediones - pharmacology
Pregnanediones - therapeutic use
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Summary:•The pharmacology and use of alfaxalone as an anaesthetic agent in cats is reviewed.•The pharmacokinetic properties of alfaxalone-HPCD in cats are described.•The pharmacodynamic properties of alfaxalone-HPCD, including effects on body systems, are described.•The clinical applications of alfaxalone-HPCD are discussed. Alfaxalone-2-hydroxpropyl-β-cyclodextrin (alfaxalone-HPCD) was first marketed for veterinary use in Australia in 2001 and has since progressively became available throughout the world, including the USA, where in 2012 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registration was granted. Despite the growing body of published works and increasing global availability of alfaxalone-HPCD, the accumulating evidence for its use in cats has not been thoroughly reviewed. The purpose of this review is: (1) to detail the pharmacokinetic properties of alfaxalone-HPCD in cats; (2) to assess the pharmacodynamic properties of alfaxalone-HPCD, including its cardiovascular, respiratory, central nervous system, neuromuscular, hepatic, renal, haematological, blood-biochemical, analgesic and endocrine effects; and (3) to consider the clinical application of alfaxalone-HPCD for sedation, induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in cats. Based on the published literature, alfaxalone-HPCD provides a good alternative to the existing intravenous anaesthetic options for healthy cats.
ISSN:1090-0233
1532-2971
DOI:10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.12.011