Abstract
BackgroundMeloxicam (MLX) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in the relief of postoperative pain for human and veterinary medicine. This study was designed to investigate the effect of surgery on the plasma disposition of MLX in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy following a single intravenous injection at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg bodyweight. Eight crossbred bitches were used in the study. A two-phase experimental design with a 10-day washout period was used. Pre-operative MLX was administered intravenously to 8 bitches about 10 days before surgery (Phase I, control) at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg bodyweight and peri-operative MLX was administered intravenously after anaesthesia and 15 min before the start of surgery (Phase II). Blood samples were collected from all animals at various times between 1 and 96 h after the drug administrations in both phases. The drug concentrations were analysed using high performance liquid chromatography.ResultsThe volume of plasma MLX distribution at steady-state (Vdss) of the control group (Vdss: 263.0 ml/kg) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) compared to that of the surgery group (Vdss: 149.3 ml/kg). The AUC values were higher (29.5 vs. 23.0 μg.h2/ml) and the CL values were lower (7.7 vs. 10.5 ml.h/kg) in the surgery group compared to the control group, respectively, but differences were not significant.ConclusionsThe results of the present study indicated that surgery could alter the plasma disposition of MLX and thus the drug efficacy and side effects such as gastrointestinal ulceration, unusual bleeding and loss of kidney function/failure when repeated doses are used.
Highlights
Meloxicam (MLX) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in the relief of postoperative pain for human and veterinary medicine
Analgesic drugs including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids and local anaesthetic agents are used in dogs as peri- and post-surgery pain relievers
The albumin levels of each dog in the control group were similar to its own post-surgery plasma albumin concentration
Summary
Meloxicam (MLX) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in the relief of postoperative pain for human and veterinary medicine. NSAIDs are used in veterinary medicine for treating especially musculo-skeletal and abdominal pain [7] These drugs have antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The common mechanism of action for this class of drugs can be attributed to a blockade of the Meloxicam (MLX), belongs to the enolic acid class of NSAIDs and is effective as antipyretic, analgesic or anti-inflammatory agent [20]. It preferentially inhibits COX-2, which is induced by inflammatory stimuli in pathophysiological conditions [9]. MLX is about 12 times more potent at inhibiting COX-2 than COX-1 activity [17]
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