Premed Drugs

Question 1

Phenothiazine
- Acetylpromazine

Answer 1

• Tranquillisation & sedation (at high doses)
• Used synergistically with opioids
• Dopamine receptor antagonists (calming effect)

Advantage:
Safe for cardiovascular and respiratory system

Disadvantage:
Slow to peak effect

Question 2

Antimuscarinic
- Atropine
- Glycopyrrolate

Answer 2

• Reduces secretions
• Stabilises heart rate
• Dry up secretions (easier to manage airway)

Advantage:
Reduces salivation and bronchial secretions

Disadvantage:
Tachycardia

Question 3

Alpha-2-Agonist
- Medetomidine
- Dexmedatone
- Xylazine

Answer 3

• Sedation and analgesia
• Multi-modal analgesic approach

Advantage:
Provides analgesia

Disadvantage:
Cardiac depression – bradycardia

Question 4

Alpha-2-Antagonist
- Atipamezole

Answer 4

• Reverse effects of Alpha-2-Agonists
• Restores consciousness/CVS/muscle activity

Question 5

Benzodiazepines
- Diazepam
- Midazolam

Answer 5

• Tranquiliser – removes anxiety without hypnosis or sedation
• Sedation when combined with opioid (dogs) or ketamine (cats)

Advantage:
Minimal CVS + RR effects

Disadvantage:
Not sufficient pre-med if used alone