title: A review of the pharmacology and clinical application of alfaxalone in cats.
abstract: Alfaxalone-2-hydroxpropyl-β-cyclodextrin (alfaxalone-HPCD) was first marketed for veterinary use in Australia in 2001 and has since progressively became available throughout the world, including the USA, where in 2012 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registration was granted. Despite the growing body of published works and increasing global availability of alfaxalone-HPCD, the accumulating evidence for its use in cats has not been thoroughly reviewed. The purpose of this review is: (1) to detail the pharmacokinetic properties of alfaxalone-HPCD in cats; (2) to assess the pharmacodynamic properties of alfaxalone-HPCD, including its cardiovascular, respiratory, central nervous system, neuromuscular, hepatic, renal, haematological, blood-biochemical, analgesic and endocrine effects; and (3) to consider the clinical application of alfaxalone-HPCD for sedation, induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in cats. Based on the published literature, alfaxalone-HPCD provides a good alternative to the existing intravenous anaesthetic options for healthy cats.
authors.affiliation: Translational Research and Clinical Trials (TRACTs), Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic 3030, Australia.
authors.forename: Leon N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Warne
authors.affiliation: Translational Research and Clinical Trials (TRACTs), Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic 3030, Australia.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Beths
authors.affiliation: Translational Research and Clinical Trials (TRACTs), Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic 3030, Australia.
authors.forename: Ted
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Whittem
authors.affiliation: Translational Research and Clinical Trials (TRACTs), Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic 3030, Australia.
authors.forename: Jennifer E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Translational Research and Clinical Trials (TRACTs), Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic 3030, Australia. Electronic address: bauquier@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Sébastien H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Bauquier
mesh_terms: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000378:metabolism*; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011277:Pregnanediones / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047391:alpha-Cyclodextrins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: C402302:(2-hydroxypropyl)-alpha-cyclodextrin; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D011277:Pregnanediones; D047391:alpha-Cyclodextrins; C006477:alphaxalone
keywords: Alfaxalone; Anaesthesia; Feline; Intravenous anaesthesia; Pharmacology