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BMC veterinary research2023; 19(1); 264; doi: 10.1186/s12917-023-03831-w

Pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine in anaesthetized horses following repeated subcutaneous administration and intravenous constant rate infusion.

Abstract: The inclusion of dexmedetomidine (DEX) within a balanced general anaesthesia protocol is effective in improving the clinical outcome and recovery quality of anaesthesia in horses. This study aimed to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of DEX following repeated subcutaneous (SC) administration at 2 µg/kg every 60 min till the end of the procedure in comparison to intravenous constant rate infusion (CRI) at 1 µg/kg/h in anaesthetized horses undergoing diagnostic procedures up to the end of the diagnostic procedure. Results: In the CRI and SC groups DEX maximum concentrations (Cmax) were 0.83 ± 0.27 ng/mL and 1.14 ± 0.71 ng/mL, respectively, reached at a time (Tmax) of 57.0 ± 13.4 min and 105.5 ± 29.9 min. Mean residence time to the last measurable concentration (MRTlast) was 11.7 ± 6.2 and 55.8 ± 19.7 min for the CRI group and SC groups, respectively. The apparent elimination half-life was 18.0 ± 10.0 min in the CRI group and 94.8 ± 69.8 min for the SC group, whereas the area under the curve (AUC0-last) resulted 67.7 ± 29.3 and 83.2 ± 60.5 min*ng/mL for CRI and SC group, respectively. Clearance was 16.26 ± 8.07 mL/min/kg for the CRI group. No signs of adverse effects were recorded in both groups. Conclusions: The pharmacokinetic profile of DEX following repeated SC administration in anaesthetized horses was comparable to intravenous CRI administration during the intranaesthetic period and beneficial during the recovery phase from general anaesthesia. The SC route could be considered as an alternative to CRI for improving the recovery quality of equine patients undergoing general anaesthesia.
© 2023. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2023-12-09 PubMed ID: 38071301PubMed Central: PMC10709979DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03831-wGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study examined the effectiveness of the drug dexmedetomidine (DEX) administered subcutaneously (under the skin) and intravenously in anaesthetized horses undergoing diagnostics to improve their recovery from anesthesia. The pharmacokinetic profile of DEX was comparable for both administration methods, with no adverse effects noticed, suggesting that subcutaneous application could be considered as an alternative method.

Objectives of the Study

  • The main goal of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile (how the drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted) of the drug DEX when administered subcutaneously and intravenously in anaesthetized horses.
  • The researchers wanted to compare the results from both methods, to see if the subcutaneous method could serve as an alternative to intravenous administration for improving the recovery quality of horses that have undergone general anesthesia.

Methods and Findings

  • DEX was administered to the horses via both methods: repeated subcutaneous administration at 2 µg/kg every 60 minutes, and intravenous constant-rate infusion at 1 µg/kg/hour.
  • The study monitored maximum concentrations of DEX and the time these concentrations were reached in the bloodstream for both groups.
  • The mean residence time of the drug (the average time the drug stays in the body) and the half-life (time taken for the drug’s concentration to decrease by half in the body) were also calculated for both groups.
  • The study found that the maximum concentrations and time to reach those concentrations were slightly higher for the subcutaneous group.
  • However, the mean residence time and elimination half-life were significantly higher in the subcutaneous group than in the intravenous group.

Conclusions and Potential Implications

  • The study concluded that the pharmacokinetic profile of DEX following repeated subcutaneous administration in anaesthetized horses was similar to intravenous infusion during the anaesthetic period and beneficial during the recovery phase.
  • Importantly, no adverse effects were recorded in either group, suggesting that DEX is safe to use in this context.
  • The results suggest that the subcutaneous route could be considered as a feasible alternative to intravenous infusion for improving the recovery quality of horses undergoing general anesthesia, potentially providing a more accessible and easy-to-apply method of administration.

Cite This Article

APA
Di Cesare F, Rabbogliatti V, Draghi S, Amari M, Brioschi FA, Villa R, Ravasio G, Cagnardi P. (2023). Pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine in anaesthetized horses following repeated subcutaneous administration and intravenous constant rate infusion. BMC Vet Res, 19(1), 264. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-023-03831-w

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 19
Issue: 1
Pages: 264

Researcher Affiliations

Di Cesare, Federica
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Rabbogliatti, Vanessa
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Draghi, Susanna
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy. susanna.draghi@unimi.it.
Amari, Martina
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Brioschi, Federica Alessandra
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Villa, Roberto
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Ravasio, Giuliano
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Cagnardi, Petra
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Dexmedetomidine
  • Anesthesia, General / veterinary
  • Infusions, Intravenous / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Hughes M, Tobias JD. Investigation and Clinical Experience With Subcutaneous Dexmedetomidine: An Educational Focused Review With a Focus on Pediatric-Aged Patients. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther 2025 Dec;30(6):744-751.
    doi: 10.5863/JPPT-25-00008pubmed: 41415922google scholar: lookup
  2. Solash B, Cheema JS, Freire M, Benito J, Pang DSJ. Use of a novel subcutaneous injection site in the region of acupuncture point GV20 for premedicating cats before general anesthesia. Can Vet J 2025 May;66(5):537-545.
    pubmed: 40322646
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