Alfaxalone

Question 1

What us alfaxalone classed as?

Answer 1

A neuro-active steroid anesthetic

Question 2

What does alfaxalone do?

Answer 2

• Produces good hypnosis and reasonable muscle relaxation
• Decreases cerebral blood flow, intracranial pressure and cerebral metabolic oxygen requirements
• Dose dependent hypotension initially due to myocardial depression and peripheral vasodilation - effects usually offset by reflex tachycardia
• minimal respiratory depression
• effects are non-cumulative
• IV and CRI acceptable
• IM possible but less effective unless its deep muscle
• no histamine release or pain on injection
• no preservative - once opened must discard in 7 days
• excitment seen on recovery if it’s the only agent on board
• no analgesia