Changes

==Actions==

==Introduction==

 

Phenothiazines have tranquilising, sedative and anxiolytic properties, but do NOT provide analgesia. As well as these effects on the CNS, phenothiazines also affect the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract.

Phenothiazines have tranquilising, sedative and anxiolytic properties, but do NOT provide analgesia. As well as these effects on the CNS, phenothiazines also affect the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract (see [[#Side Effects and Contraindications|Side Effects and Contraindications]]).

==Drugs in this Group==

==Drugs in this Group==

Phenothiazines include:

Phenothiazines include:

* [[#Acepromazine|Acepromazine]]

* Acepromazine

* Proprionylpromazine

* Proprionylpromazine

* Chlorpromazine

* Chlorpromazine

* Promazine

* Promazine

* [[#Methotrimeprazine|Methotrimeprazine]]

* Methotrimeprazine

* Promethazine

* Promethazine

===Acepromazine===

===Acepromazine===

Acepromazine (ACP) is commonly used in veterinary practice as a sedative and as a premedicant. It is available in liquid, gel and tablet form and so may be administered orally (with 20-55% bioavailability), i/m, i/v or s/c. The intramuscular route is preferred as fewer side effects are apparent. Administration in this way leads to a 20 minute onset of drug action. The time to onset is only 5 minutes if acepromazine is given intravenously, but the drug must be given slowly to avoid causing vasodilation and hypotension. The duration of effects is 4-6 hours.

Acepromazine (ACP) is commonly used in veterinary practice as a sedative and as a premedicant. It is available in liquid, gel and tablet form and so may be administered orally (with 20-55% bioavailability), i/m, i/v or s/c. The intramuscular route is preferred as fewer side effects are apparent. Administration in this way leads to a 20 minute onset of drug action. The time to onset is only 5 minutes if acepromazine is given intravenously, but the drug must be given slowly to avoid causing vasodilation and hypotension. The duration of effects is 4-6 hours.

Lower doses of acepromazine affect animal behaviour, whereas higher doses give sedation. However, the level of sedation is not increased by increasing the drug dose further; this merely increases the duration of sedation. Acepromazine's sedative effect is greatest in young, anxious animals.

Lower doses of acepromazine affect animal behaviour, whereas higher doses give sedation. However, the level of sedation is not increased by increasing the drug dose further; this merely increases the duration of sedation. Acepromazine's sedative effect is greatest in young, anxious animals.

Acepromaazine potentiates the actions of several other drugs. These include [[Local Anaesthetics|local anaesthetic agents]], general anaesthetics and opioids (forming the principal of neurolept analgesia). Administration of the drug may also lower the threshold for seizures but, interestingly, acepromazine may be used as an anticonvulsant. ACP is also anti-emetic.

Acepromazine potentiates the actions of several other drugs. These include [[Local Anaesthetics|local anaesthetic agents]], general anaesthetics and opioids (forming the principal of neurolept analgesia). Administration of the drug may also lower the threshold for seizures but, interestingly, acepromazine may be used as an anticonvulsant. ACP is also anti-emetic.

Use of acepromazine is contra-indicated in breeding stallions, as it may cause penis protrusion and priapism. Boxers and giant breeds of dog require lower doses of the drug.

Use of acepromazine is contra-indicated in breeding stallions, as it may cause penis protrusion and priapism. In Boxers spontaneous fainting and syncope can occur due to sinoatrial block caused by excessive vagal tone, so acepromazine should be given in low doses or avoided in this breed. Giant breeds of dog require lower doses of the drug.

===Methotrimeprazine===

===Methotrimeprazine===

 

Methotrimeprazine has potent analsgesis as well as tranquilising, sedatice and anxiolytic actions. It is a component of small animal immobilon, along with [[Opioids#Etorphine|etorphine]].

Methotrimeprazine has potent analsgesis as well as tranquilising, sedatice and anxiolytic actions. It si a component of small animal immobilon, along with [[Opioids#Etorphine|etorphine]].

==Side Effects and Contraindications==

==Side Effects and Contraindications==

In addition to the CNS, phenothiazines also act on:

In addition to the CNS, phenothiazines also act on:

* The '''cardiovascular system''', where they bind to alpha-1 adrenoreceptors leading to vasodilation, hypotension and hypothermia.

* The '''cardiovascular system''', where they bind to alpha-1 adrenoreceptors leading to vasodilation, hypotension and hypothermia.

Acepromazine can cause penis protrusion and priapism in stallions, and may lower the seizure threshold.

Acepromazine can cause penis protrusion and priapism in stallions, and may lower the seizure threshold.