Pharmacokinetics of gabapentin in domestic rabbits
Gabapentin, a chemical analogue of γ-aminobutyric acid that acts through inhibition of calcium-voltage-gated subunit receptors, is used to treat seizures, neuropathic pain and anxiety. Currently, dosage recommendations for rabbits are extrapolated from other species. The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of gabapentin after single, oral administration in domestic rabbits.
The domesticated European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) accounts for 18% of vertebrate species utilized for research in the U.S. and over 2.2 million were kept as pets as of 2016.
Anxiolytics are commonly utilized for small animals prior to veterinary visits, trips in the car and other stressful activities and may similarly be beneficial for rabbits.
A randomized, crossover study was performed in male (n = 3) and female (n = 3) rabbits after administration of either 25 or 50 mg/kg gabapentin orally. Plasma concentrations of gabapentin were measured at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours post-administration via liquid chromatography.
Mean maximum plasma concentrations were 17.70 and 16.83 µg/mL for the 25 and 50 mg/kg doses, respectively. Mean times to maximum plasma concentration were 1.75 and 1.5 hours, and mean terminal half-lives were 10.2 and 9.44 hours for the 25 and 50 mg/kg doses, respectively. No adverse effects observed at either dose.
In conclusion, a single oral dose of gabapentin at 50 mg/kg did not result in higher plasma concentrations compared to the 25 mg/kg dose and no differences were observed between males and females for either dosing group (P > 0.9).
Researchers said these data suggest a single oral dose of gabapentin 25 mg/kg can safely be used in rabbits. However, more work is required to fully understand the pharmacodynamics of gabapentin in rabbits.
Mollie Burton, et al. “Pharmacokinetics of gabapentin after single, oral administration in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).” Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine. Volume 45, April 2023. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2023.02.001.
Comments
Related Articles
More news
Copyright © 2025 - All Rights Reserved
ISSN 2768-198X
List
Add
Please enter a comment