Description

Dexthesia Injection

Dexmedetomidine for Dogs and Cats

Dexmedetomidine Injection USP 100mcg/ml

Manufactured/Marketed by: Vivaldis Animal Health

Dosage form: Liquid for Injection

Presentation: 

10 ml vial in a monocarton with package insert

Ingredients & Composition:

Each ml contains:
Dexmedetomidine Hydrochloride USP
Eq. to Dexmedetomidine              100 mcg
Water for injection IP                   q.s.

Description / Action: 

Dexthesia Injection contains Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride for dogs and cats. It is a potent and highly selective alpha-2 agonist and used for sedation, anxiolysis, premedication, analgesia and anaesthesia.

Ideal general anaesthestic:

• High degree of analgesia, immobility & muscle relaxation at low dosage
• Rapid onset of action
• Administration of ideal general anaesthetic should be comfortable, easy & versatile
• Not cause undesirable systemic effects
• Short recovery period
• Wide margin of safety
• Compatible with pre-anaesthetic & other therapeutics
• Rapidly excreted

Drawbacks of conventional anaesthetics:

• Prolonged recovery time (Ketamine)
• Inadequate analgesic properties (Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines)
• Narrow margin of safety (Barbiturates)
• Chances of tolerance development (Opioids)
• Respiratory depression at higher doses (Barbiturates)
• Upfront cost associated with a precision vaporizer (in case of inhalants-Isoflurane)
• Requirement of passive or active scavenging of waste & exhaled anaesthetic gas

Premedication:

• Sedation – Calms the patient, smooth induction & recovery, reduces anxiety & required dose of induction agent
• Analgesia – Provides immediate pain relief for the painful animal
• A combination of sedative & analgesic agents – Enhances sedation & reduces the required dose of induction agent

Objectives of premedication:

• Analgesia & antinociception
• Sedation
• Potentiation of induction & maintenance agents
• Prevention of orthosympathetic reflexes

Anaesthetic maintenance:

• Volatile Anaesthesia
• Injectable Anaesthesia
• Fluid Therapy
• Balanced Anaesthesia
• Local Anaesthesia

Mechanism of action:

• A potent & selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist that inhibits the release of noradrenaline from nerve cells in the body

• Sympathetic neurotransmission is prevented & the level of consciousness decreases

Class: Selective Alpha-2 receptor agonist/ Sedative / Anaesthetic

Indication / Uses:

Dexmedetomidine is used for sedation of dogs and cats in the following situations:

• Non-invasive, mildly to moderately painful, procedures
• Examinations that need sedation, analgesia and restraint in cats and dogs
• For medical and small surgical operations, butorphanol is used in conjunction for deep sedation and analgesia in dogs.
• Premedication in dogs & cats before induction & maintenance of general anaesthesia

The dose is chosen according to the species being treated, the use, whether it is given by intravenous or intramuscular injection & any other medicines that are also being used.

Features:

• FDA approved for use in dogs in 2006 and cats in 2007
• EU approved for use in dogs and cats in 2015
• Protocol flexibility for both surgical & non-surgical procedures
• Selectivity provides greater predictability & precise control of sedation”
• Used for short-term sedation
• Markedly reduces anaesthetic requirement (30% – 60%)*
• Preanaesthesia with Dexmedetomidine will have a dose-sparing effect by markedly reducing the amount of induction agent & gas anaesthetic for maintenance
• Produces sedation, analgesia & anxiolytic effect
• Smooth induction & recovery, minimal respiratory depression
• As a premedicant, Dexmedetomidine contributes to balanced anaesthesia which can lower patient risk & increase comfort & safety

Dosage and administration:

Dexmedetomidine dosage in dogs and cats are based on body surface area

INTRAMUSCULARLY
Up to 500 micrograms/square metre body surface area

INTRAVENOUSLY
Up to 375 micrograms/square metre body surface area

With adjustable/ flexible dosage, you may control/determine the depth, onset, and duration of dog sedation on an individual basis.

Dexmedetomidine dose chart according to body weight:

 Route:

Dogs: intravenous or intramuscular use

Cats: intramuscular use

Species: Approved for use in Dogs and Cats only.

Over-dosage / Side effects / Contraindications /Warnings:

Do not administer in animals with cardiovascular diseases.
Don’t use in moribund or animals with severe systemic diseases.
In the event of a known history of excipient or active ingredient sensitivity, avoid using.
Sedation may cause transient ocular opacities in cats. An appropriate eye lubricant should be used to protect the eyes.

For detailed contraindications, special warnings, precautions, animal safety & information for owners, please refer pack insert

Pharmaceutical precautions / Instructions: 

Keep in a dark, at a temperature under 30 degrees Celsius.. If any foreign particle is visible or noticed in the solution then please do not use the solution.

Keep this medicine strictly out of reach of children.

Warning: Not to be sold by retail without prescription of a registered veterinary practitioner.

Safety: Age / Pregnancy/ Withdrawal:

The administration of dexmedetomidine to puppies younger than 16 weeks and kittens younger than 12 weeks has not been studied

Substitute: Injection Dexmedesed (5mg/10ml), Injection Dexdomitor (5mg/10ml)