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"Health News For Pets
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March 25, 2003
Phenobarbital: Problems and Solutions
While phenobarbital is often used in veterinary medicine to treat
seizure disorders, there are several concerns with its use:
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•
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there are no commercially available
veterinary approved products |
| • |
phenobarbital tablets for human use are small,
hard, and unscored,
making them difficult to divide for individualized dosing |
| • |
phenobarbital elixir has a high alcohol content,
which is problematic
for cats or any species when chronically administered |
| • |
phenobarbital induces CYP450 hepatic enzymes
which can result in substantial drug interactions with oral
anticoagulants, steroids, antibiotics, beta-blockers, theophylline,
etc. |
| • |
phenobarbital is contraindicated in dogs with
hepatic disease |
Our compounding pharmacy can prepare an alcohol-free, appropriately
flavored oral suspension, which is highly bio-available and very
easy to
use when administering a loading dose (initial higher dose to quickly
achieve high drug levels in the animal) or when a flexible dose
is
needed. Once the maintenance dose is established, the dosage form
can be
switched to a capsule (with a lower risk of mis-dosing by the owner)
or
a flavored chewable medicated "treat", with the added
benefit of high
patient acceptance.
Please contact our compounding pharmacy for more information about
customized medications for pets and exotic animals. Future updates
will
discuss other treatments for seizures in animals.
Copyright 2003, Storey Marketing - Veterinary
Website Updates. Reproduction prohibited without subscription from
Storey Marketing (814-337-3441). Questions regarding this article
should be directed to the compounding professionals at Martin Avenue
Pharmacy, Inc.
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