Alfaxalone

Alfaxalone: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

Has CNS depressive effect causes anesthesia.

Uses of Alfaxalone

Induction agent used before inhalational anaesthesia, or as a sole anesthetic agent for examination or surgical procedures.

Dose of Alfaxalone in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

• 3 mg/kg intravenous anaesthesia induction; unmedicated dogs.
• In premedicated dogs, 2 mg/kg i.v. is recommended, while smaller doses are frequently utilised.
• For maintenance, it is advised to administer top-up boluses of 1-1.5 mg/kg every ten minutes at a rate of 6–9 mg/kg/h.

Cats:
• 2-5 mg/kg i.v. for inducing anaesthesia; the lower end of this dose range is frequently  sufficient.
• For maintenance, top-up boluses of 1-1.5 mg/kg every ten minutes or a constant rate infusion of 7–10 mg/kg/h are advised.

Side Effects of Alfaxalone in Dogs and Cats

• An increase in heart rate might happen after an intravenous infusion so, slow intravenous infusion can lessen this effect.
• As with all anaesthetic medications, overdosing can result in respiratory depression.

Contraindications of Alfaxalone in Dogs and Cats

• Alfaxalone is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to alfaxalone or its components or when general anesthesia and/or sedation are contraindicated.
• This drug should not be used with other IV general anesthetic agents (eg, propofol) Because postinduction apnea can occur.

Some Notes:

• As with all i.v. anaesthetic drugs, premedication will reduce the dose required for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia. The drug should be given slowly and to effect in order to prevent inadvertent overdose. The dose recommended by the manufacturer for induction of anaesthesia can usually be reduced in all animals.
• Alfaxalone can be given i.m. or s.c. to provide sedation in cats and dogs although it is not licensed for these routes.
• Do not use in combination with other i.v. anaesthetic agents. Although not licensed for animals <12 weeks of age, safety in dogs between 6 and 12 weeks old has been demonstrated using a similar dose for induction of anaesthesia as adult dogs.