Chemical Immobilization Pharmacology: Tranquilizers
Chemical Immobilization Pharmacology: Tranquilizers is one among many courses offered by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) in safe capture chemical immobilization techniques. Such courses are typically taken by those who are interested in or who are pursuing careers in veterinary medicine, wildlife biology or wildlife management. A description of this course is available on the SDZWA website.
Oftentimes, the terms “tranquilizer” and “sedative” are used interchangeably, but tranquilizers typically reduce anxiety and induce a sense of tranquility without drowsiness, while sedatives have a more profound effect and produces significant drowsiness.1 Many drugs used as tranquilizers, sedatives and analgesics cannot be categorized by only one pharmacologic effect, and some across these categories may have additional effects.
Classes of Tranquilizers
Tranquilizers are commonly used in veterinary medicine to produce calmness, as chemical immobilants, and as an adjunct to general anesthesia. These drugs often have different mechanisms of actions, pharmacodynamic effects, analgesic properties, reversibility, and physiological effects.2
The drug classes most often used as tranquilizers in veterinary medicine include:
Phenothiazine Derivatives—These were originally developed as antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia in humans, but have been used in veterinary medicine as tranquilizers since the 1950s. Examples of phenothiazines include acepromazine, promazine and chlorpromazine.
Butyrophenone Derivatives—Butyrophenones were also introduced into human medicine in the 1950s as antipsychotics. This class of drugs is less commonly used in veterinary medicine; examples include azaperone, haloperidol and droperidol.
Benzodiazepine Derivatives—Benzodiazepines were first discovered in 1954.1 They are considered sedative-hypnotics due to their propensity to cause anxiolysis, sedation, and an ability to cause sleep.2 Benzodiazepines are often classified as minor tranquilizers. Examples of benzodiazepines include diazepam, midazolam, lorazepam, and zolazepam.
Alpha-2-Adrenergic Receptor Agonists—These drugs are very popular in veterinary medicine because they produce profound, reliable sedation as well as analgesia.2 The first α2-adrenergic agonist drug used in veterinary medicine was xylazine.1 Alpha-2-adrenergic receptor agonists act synergistically with opioids and their effects can be reversed with the use of α2-adrenergic antagonist drugs. Besides xylazine, other examples include detomidine, medetomidine, dexmedetomidine, levomedetomidine and clonidine.
Tranquilizing medications for veterinary use are typically available through both industry-leading wildlife pharmaceuticals companies and custom veterinary compounding pharmacies. Like other veterinary prescription drugs, they are restricted by US federal law to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.
Interested in learning more about safe capture? The San Diego Zoo now offers courses in safe capture techniques and best practices. Learn reliable, safe, and effective techniques for the species you work with and the scenarios you encounter!
About NexGen Pharmaceuticals
NexGen Pharmaceuticals is an industry-leading veterinary compounding pharmacy, offering sterile and non-sterile compounding services nationwide. Unlike other veterinary compounding pharmacies, NexGen focuses on drugs that are difficult to find or are no longer available due to manufacturer discontinuance or have yet to be offered commercially for veterinary applications, but which still serve a critical need for our customers. We also specialize in wildlife pharmaceuticals, including sedatives and their antagonists, offering many unique options to serve a wide array of zoo animal and wildlife immobilization and anesthesia requirements.
Our pharmacists are also encouraged to develop strong working relationships with our veterinarians in order to better care for veterinary patients. Such relationships foster an ever-increasing knowledge base upon which pharmacists and veterinarians can draw, making both significantly more effective in their professional roles.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this blog post is general in nature and is intended for use as an informational aid. It does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of the medications shown, nor is the information intended as medical advice or diagnosis for individual health problems or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of using a particular medication. You should consult your veterinarian about diagnosis and treatment of any health problems. Information and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), nor has the FDA approved the medications to diagnose, cure or prevent disease. Medications compounded by NexGen Pharmaceuticals are prepared at the direction of a veterinarian. NexGen Pharmaceuticals compounded veterinary preparations are not intended for use in food and food-producing animals.
NexGen Pharmaceuticals, LLC does not recommend, endorse or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any specific dosing, products, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, veterinary care providers or other information that may be contained in this blog post. NEXGEN PHARMACEUTICALS, LLC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE FOR ANY ADVICE, COURSE OF TREATMENT, DIAGNOSIS OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION, SERVICES OR PRODUCTS THAT YOU OBTAIN THROUGH THIS BLOG POST.