Imepitoin

Imepitoin: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Imepitoin prevents seizures by potentiating the inhibitory actions of GABAA receptors on neurons.
• Imepitoin also possesses a mild calcium-channel blocking activity, which may help explain its anticonvulsant characteristics.

Uses of Imepitoin

• Imepitoin and phenobarbital are the first-line drugs used to treat epileptic seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.
• Imepitoin may be used in conjunction with a behaviour modification strategy to control anxiety in dogs in reaction to both social stimuli (e.g. crowds, strangers) and non-social stimuli (e.g. noises, unfamiliar items, new locations).
• Use with caution in dogs demonstrating aggressive behaviour, and risk management should be implemented.

Dose of Imepitoin in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

• 10–30 mg/kg p.o. q12h.
• Doses towards the higher end of the range appear to be more effective.
• For the control of anxiety: an initial dose of 10 mg/kg p.o. q12h is recommended, but the dose may be titrated up to 30 mg/kg p.o. q12h or down to 5 mg/kg p.o. q12h as necessary, dependent on the initial response.

Cats:

• Imepitoin is well tolerated in healthy cats at similar doses to dogs (10–30 mg/kg p.o. q12h) but its efficacy to control seizures or anxiety remains unproven.

Side Effects of Imepitoin in Dogs and Cats

• Sedation is the most often reported side effect, particularly in dogs on higher dosages or already on phenobarbital therapy.
• An adverse cutaneous reaction has been documented.
• Other side effects include polyphagia, hyperactivity, polyuria, polydipsia, somnolence, hypersalivation, emesis, ataxia, apathy, diarrhoea, prolapsed nictitating membrane, impaired sight, and a paradoxical increase in sound sensitivity.

Contraindications of Imepitoin in Dogs and Cats

• The medication should not be used with severely impaired liver, kidney and heart function.

Some Notes:

• Imepitoin has a faster onset of action than phenobarbital (a steady state is not required), does not require serum concentration determination, and has a less severe adverse effect profile; however, phenobarbital is less expensive and more efficacious.
• Imepitoin is well tolerated in healthy cats at levels comparable to dogs, however, its efficacy in controlling seizures has yet to be established.