Alfaxalone:

(This chemicals section is currently predominantly used in Wildpro to link different data types and demonstrate inter-relationships. It does not contain detailed information on the chemical itself.)

CAUTION: Before any pharmaceutical product is used, the manufacturer's data sheet, containing information on uses, dosage and administration, contra-indications, warnings etc., should always be consulted. It is important to remember that licensing of pharmaceutical products for use in a particular species/condition, as well as mandatory meat and milk withdrawal times for food-producing animals, varies between countries and changes with time. Withdrawal times also may vary between different pharmaceutical formulations and depending on route of administration. In the EU, the prescription cascade must be followed (see LCofC1.2H and W564.Apr05.w1); note that specific restrictions apply for food-producing animals. In the USA, FARAD may be consulted regarding residues and meat and milk withdrawal times.

Actions: CNS depressant, used for induction of anaesthesia. Note: analgesia is not sufficient for surgery. (B546) 

• Give slowly to effect to avoid inadvertent overdose. (B546)
• Use e.g. opioids in the anaesthetic protocol to provide analgesia. (B546)
• The dose required can be reduced by premedication. (B546)
• Shorter acting than alfaxalone/alphadalone, and causes less excitement during the recovery period. (B546)
• Cyclodextrin carrier. (B546)

Available: Alfaxan CD, 10 mg/ml solution solubilised in a cyclodextrin. (B546) 

Uses:

• Induction of anaesthesia prior to maintenance by inhalational anaesthesia. (B546)
• Sole anaesthetic agent for examination or surgery. (B546) 
  • Note: "Analgesis is insufficient for surgery; other analgesic drugs such as opioids should be incorporated into the anaesthetic protocol." (B546)
  • "The dose recommended by the manufacturer can usually be reduced in all animals." (B546)

Lagomorphs - Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus - Domestic rabbit:

• 6.0 - 9.0 mg/kg intravenously, or 9.0 mg/kg intramuscularly. (B546)
• In a study, rabbits were premedicated with 0.03 mg/kg buprenorphine. Rabbits were then oxygenated by face mask and an intravenous catheter placed into a marginal ear vein. Alfaxanone was given intravenously at 2.0 or 3.0 mg/kg over a period of 60 seconds (standard 10 mg/mL alfaxalone was mixed with 0.9% saline to give a solution of 2 mg/mL or 3 mg/mL alfaxalone prior to injection). Rabbits showed apnoea for about 45 seconds (range 10 to 120 seconds) following administration of the alfaxalone. All rabbits could be intubated (blind method). Isoflurane at about 3.0 % produced a surgical plane of anaesthesia following alfaxanone anaesthetic induction. Basic cardiopulmonary parameters were noted to remain stable and within the normal range. Recovery was rapid in some rabbits (e.g. lifting head within 3-5 minutes; mean was about 15 minutes). Rabbits were standing by about 35-40 minutes (mean; range 10 - 69 minutes) after anaesthesia. It was noted that very rapid recoveries could be avoided by use of premedication with a greater sedative effect, for example an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. (J3.163.w1)

Ferrets - Mustela putorius furo - Ferret:

• 8 - 12 mg/kg intravenously. (B626.App.w22)