Introduction

Name

• Doxapram.

Class of drug

• Central nervous system (CNS)/respiratory stimulant.

Uses

Indications

• Doxapram may be used to stimulate respiration in certain types of peri-operative respiratory depression, and in neonates.
• Doxapram is preferred to naloxone when respiration is depressd by high doses of opiods, in animals which have undergone major surgery, as it does not affect opioid induced analgesia. However, in these circumstances doxopram activity is short-lived and may be followed by profound respiratory depression unless repeated doses or an infusion is given. Alternatively, an opioid antagonist may be given.
• Doxapram may be given to differentiate central (anesthetic overdose) from peripheral (neuromuscular blockade) causes of respiratory depression in animals given non-depolarizing muscle relaxants.

Administration

Precautions

Interactions

with other drugs

• Hypertension and arrhythmias may occur with sympathomimetics.
• The use of theophylline Theophylline concurrently with doxapram may cause increased CNS stimulation.
• As doxapram may stimulate the release of epinephrine Epinephrine , its use within 10 min of the administration of anesthetic agents that sensitise the myocardium to catecholamines, eg halothane Halothane , enflurane, should be avoided.
• Doxapram may mask the effects of muscle-relaxant drugs.
• Doxapram is compatible with 5% dextrose or normal saline, but is incompatible with aminophylline Aminophylline , sodium bicarbonate Sodium bicarbonate and thiopentone Thiopental.

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.

Other sources of information

• Ramsey I (2017) Small Animal Formulary. 9th edn.