Alfaxalone
Also known as: Alfaxan, Alfaxan-CD RTU, Alfaxan Multidose
**What is Alfaxalone?** Alfaxalone is a fast-acting, highly safe injectable anesthetic used to induce sleep before surgery or to provide heavy sedation for minor procedures. **What to Expect:** * **Rapid Action:** Your pet will fall asleep very quickly and smoothly after the injection. * **Monitoring:** Because it can temporarily slow breathing, your veterinary team will closely monitor your pet's breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels throughout the procedure. * **Recovery:** Pets usually wake up quickly once the procedure is over. However, during the recovery phase, they can be sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They may twitch, paddle their legs, or vocalize if startled. * **Post-Care:** The veterinary staff will keep your pet in a quiet, warm, and dark environment until they are fully awake and steady on their feet. No special at-home care is required specifically for this drug once your pet is discharged.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Anesthesia Induction (Premedicated)
- Anesthesia Induction (Unpremedicated)
- Anesthesia Induction (Alternative)
- Anesthesia Maintenance (CRI, Premedicated)
- Anesthesia Maintenance (CRI, Unpremedicated)
- Anesthesia Maintenance (Bolus, Premedicated)
- Anesthesia Maintenance (Bolus, Unpremedicated)
- Anesthesia Maintenance (Alternative Bolus)
- Anesthesia Induction
- Anesthesia Induction (Alternative)
- Anesthesia Maintenance (CRI, Premedicated)
- Anesthesia Maintenance (CRI, Unpremedicated)
- Anesthesia Maintenance (Bolus, Premedicated)
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Respiratory depression
- Post-induction apnea
- Hypotension (dose-dependent)
- Cardiac arrhythmias (primarily secondary to hypoxemia/hypercapnia)
- Psychomotor excitement during recovery (especially if unstimulated or lacking premedication)
Cautions & contraindications
- Concurrent use with other injectable general anesthetic agents (e.g., propofol, thiopental)
- Situations where endotracheal intubation, positive pressure ventilation, and oxygen support are unavailable
- Animals less than 12 weeks of age (safety not established)
- > **Critical Warning:** Post-induction apnea is common (up to 44% in dogs, 19% in cats). Alfaxalone should **only** be used when endotracheal intubation and oxygen supplementation/ventilation are immediately available. * **Administration Rate:** Give slowly IV (over 60 seconds or titrated to effect) to minimize the risk of severe apnea. * **Hepatic Dysfunction:** Use with caution; lower dosages or increased dosing intervals may be required as the drug undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism. * **Recovery Environment:** Keep patients in a quiet, unstimulating environment during recovery to minimize psychomotor excitement. Avoid handling unless necessary. * **Analgesia:** Always provide concurrent appropriate pain control, as alfaxalone offers no analgesia.
Drug interactions
- CNS Depressants (e.g., acepromazine, opioids, alpha-2 agonists, benzodiazepines): Potentiates the CNS and respiratory depressant effects. Significantly reduces the required induction and maintenance doses of alfaxalone.
- Propofol: Should not be used concurrently according to the manufacturer label.
- Thiopental: Should not be used concurrently according to the manufacturer label.
- Other IV anaesthetic agents: Increased risk of severe CNS and respiratory depression
- Premedicants (e.g., sedatives, opioids): Synergistic CNS depression; significantly reduces the required induction dose of alfaxalone
- Opioids (e.g., methadone, buprenorphine): Synergistic CNS depression; reduces the required induction dose of alfaxalone.
- Alpha-2 agonists (e.g., dexmedetomidine): Profound synergy; significantly reduces alfaxalone dose requirements and may exacerbate cardiovascular and respiratory depression.
- Phenothiazines (e.g., acepromazine): Enhanced sedation and increased risk of hypotension.
- Opioids (e.g., butorphanol, methadone): Synergistic CNS depression; significantly reduces the required induction dose of alfaxalone.
Frequently asked questions
What is Alfaxalone used for in pets?
**What is Alfaxalone?** Alfaxalone is a fast-acting, highly safe injectable anesthetic used to induce sleep before surgery or to provide heavy sedation for minor procedures. **What to Expect:** * **Rapid Action:** Your pet will fall asleep very quickly and smoothly after the injection. * **Monitoring:** Because it can temporarily slow breathing, your veterinary team will closely monitor your pet's breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels throughout the procedure. * **Recovery:** Pets usually wake up quickly once the procedure is over. However, during the recovery phase, they can be sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They may twitch, paddle their legs, or vocalize if startled. * **Post-Care:** The veterinary staff will keep your pet in a quiet, warm, and dark environment until they are fully awake and steady on their feet. No special at-home care is required specifically for this drug once your pet is discharged.
Is Alfaxalone safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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