Papaveretum

Papaveretum In Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Analgesia is mediated by the mu-opioid receptor.

Uses of Papaveretum

• Management of moderate to severe pain in the perioperative period.
• Incorporation into sedative and pre-anaesthetic medication protocols to provide improved sedation and analgesia.

Dose of Papaveretum in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

• Analgesia: 0.2–0.8 mg/kg i.v., i.m., s.c.; use lower doses i.v.; only use higher doses when deep sedation is required.

Cats:

• Analgesia: 0.2–0.3 mg/kg i.v., i.m., s.c.

Side Effects of Papaveretum in Dogs and Cats

• Papaveretum, like other mu agonists, can cause respiratory depression.
• Respiratory depression is unlikely in conscious cats and dogs when used at clinical doses.
• Respiratory depression may occur when administered intravenously (i.v.) during general anaesthesia, necessitating monitoring of respiratory function.
• Vomiting is common after papaveretum administration due to its effect on GI sphincters. It may cause constriction of GI sphincters and a reduction in GI motility over a prolonged period.
• Responses to opioids, including papaveretum, vary among individuals, emphasizing the importance of assessing pain after administration.
• Metabolized in the liver, and impaired liver function may lead to a prolonged effect.
• Crosses the placenta, potentially causing sedative effects in neonates born to bitches treated before parturition.
• Naloxone can be used to treat severe adverse effects associated with papaveretum.

Contraindications of Papaveretum in Dogs and Cats

• No information is available.

Some Notes:

• Concurrent use of narcotic analgesics with other CNS depressants (e.g., anaesthetics, antihistamines, barbiturates, phenothiazines, and tranquillizers) may lead to increased CNS or respiratory depression.
• The combined use of these substances can amplify the depressant effects on the central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory system.
• Papaveretum is an opium alkaloid mixture, composed of anhydrous morphine (85.5%), anhydrous codeine (6.8%), and papaverine (7.8%).
• It is similar in effect to morphine and is believed to have a 4-hour duration of action.
• While not commonly used for postoperative analgesia in dogs and cats, it is occasionally employed with acepromazine for effective sedation in aggressive dogs.
• The sedative effects of papaveretum combined with acepromazine haven’t been extensively studied in rigorous clinical trials.
• Limited evaluation exists in experimental or clinical analgesia studies for papaveretum.
• Methadone is recommended over papaveretum as the licensed alternative for single or repeated bolus administration in dogs and cats.