Effects of acepromazine on the incidence of vomiting associated with opioid administration in dogs

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the anti-emetic properties of acepromazine in dogs receiving opioids as pre-anesthetic medication.Study design Randomized prospective clinical study.Animals One hundred and sixteen dogs (ASA I or II), admitted for elective surgical procedures. The dogs were a mixed population of males and females, purebreds and mixed breeds, 0.25^13.4 years of age, weighing1.8^57.7 kg.Methods A prospective clinical trial in which the dogs were randomly assigned to one of three groups. All groups received acepromazine (0.05 mg kg À1 intramuscularly (IM)). Group I received acepromazine 15 minutes prior to opioid administration. Group II received acepromazine in combination with the opioid. Group III received acepromazine 15 minutes after opioid administration. One of three di¡erent opioids was administered IM to each dog: morphine sulfate at 0.5 mg kg À1 ; hydromorphone hydrochloride at 0.1 mg kg À1 ; or oxymorphone hydrochloride at 0.075 mg kg À1 .Results Dogs receiving acepromazine before the opioid (group I) had a signi¢cantly lower incidence of vomiting (18%) than dogs in groups II (45%) and III (55%). The degree of sedation was signi¢cantly lower in the dogs receiving the combination of acepromazine and the opioid (group II) than in dogs receiving the opioid as the ¢rst drug (group III). Conclusions and clinical relevanceAcepromazine administered 15 minutes before the opioid lowers the incidence of vomiting induced by opioids.

A comparison of acepromazine-buprenorphine and medetomidine-buprenorphine for preanesthetic medication of dogs

“…27 The low incidence of salivation and the lack of vomiting in the acepromazine group was therefore likely attributable to buprenorphine being less likely to cause vomiting than other opioids. Opioids can cause nausea (manifested by vomiting and salivation).…”

Efficacy of orally administered maropitant citrate in preventing vomiting associated with hydromorphone administration in dogs

“…6 The dogs in that study 6 were clientowned dogs undergoing elective surgery, and although the fact was not reported, the assumption is that food was withheld prior to planned clinical anesthesia. The reported incidence of vomiting associated with hydromorphone administration ranged widely (0% to 100%) depending on the study conditions (withholding of food), study population, dose and route of administration, and concurrent use of acepromazine.…”

“…2,[6][7][8][9] In general, the incidence of vomiting is decreased with higher doses and IV administration of hydromorphone, with concurrent administration of acepromazine, and in purpose-bred or research conditioned dogs from which food had not been withheld versus clinical patients undergoing elective surgery. 2,[6][7][8][9] In general, the incidence of vomiting is decreased with higher doses and IV administration of hydromorphone, with concurrent administration of acepromazine, and in purpose-bred or research conditioned dogs from which food had not been withheld versus clinical patients undergoing elective surgery.…”

Sedation of the Critically Ill Patient

“…8 They are not generally used alone for sedation since the result may be unpredictable and the animal may become more difficult to handle. 3,4 Nausea and vomiting are rarely seen after administration of methadone, fentanyl, or remifentanil. Diazepam and midazolam have similar effects and are given at similar dosages (0.1 to 0.5 mg/kg IV or IM), although midazolam is preferred for intramuscular use since it is water soluble and readily absorbed.…”