| Description | Azaperone is a sedative used in veterinary medicine to
avoid mortality of pigs during transportation. This
alternative substance to chlorpromazine is a sensitizer
and a photosensitizer. |
| Chemical Properties | Off-White Solid |
| Physical properties | A butyrophenone neuroleptic, azaperone occurs as a white to yellowish-white macrocrystalline powder with a melting point between 90-95°C. It is practically insoluble in water; 1 gram is soluble in 29 mL of alcohol.
Azaperone may also be known as azaperonum, R-1929, Stresnil®, or Suicalm®. |
| Originator | Azaperone,Dayang Chemicals
Co. Ltd. |
| Uses | Sedative; tranquilizer. |
| Uses | H1 antihistamine (nonsedating); leucotriene synthesis blocker |
| Definition | ChEBI: An N-arylpiperazine that is 2-(piperazin-1-yl)pyridine in which the amino hydrogen is replaced by a 3-(4-fluobenzoyl)propyl group. Used mainly as a tranquiliser for pigs and elephants. |
| Indications | Azaperone is officially indicated for the "control of aggressiveness when mixing or regrouping weanling or feeder pigs weighing up to 36.4 kg" (Package Insert, Stresnil®—P/M; Mallinckrodt). It is also used clinically as a general tranquilizer for swine, to allow piglets to be accepted by aggressive sows, and as a preoperative agent prior to general anesthesia or cesarean section with local anesthesia.
Azaperone has been used as a neuroleptic in horses, but some horses develop adverse reactions (sweating, muscle tremors, panic reaction, CNS excitement) and IV administration has resulted in significant arterial hypotension. Because of these effects, most clinicians avoid the use of this drug in equines. |
| Manufacturing Process | A mixture of γ-chloro-4'-fluorobutyrophenone and 1-(2'-pyridyl)piperazine is
heated on an oil bath. The mixture is then boiled in diisopropyl ether and the
precipitates is collected and boiled with water and benzene. The benzene layer
is treated with activated charcoal, added to the ethereal filtrate, and
evaporated to give a residue which is taken up in diisopropyl ether. After
cooling an oil is precipitated, which after decantation and drying yields 1-[γ-
(4'-fluorobenzoyl)propyl]-4-(2'-pyridyl)piperazine. |
| Brand name | Stresnil (Janssen Pharmaceutica, Belgium);
Suicalm (Janssen Pharmaceutica, Belgium). |
| Therapeutic Function | Neuroleptic, Hypnotic |
| Contact allergens | Azaperone is a sedative used in veterinary medicine to
avoid mortality of pigs during transportation. This
alternative substance to chlorpromazine is a sensitizer
and a photosensitizer. |
| Pharmacology | The butyrophenones as a class cause tranquilization and sedation (sedation may be less than with the phenothiazines), anti-emetic activity, reduced motor activity, and inhibition of CNS catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine). Azaperone appears to have minimal effects on respiration and may inhibit some of the respiratory depressant actions of general anesthetics. A slight reduction of arterial blood pressure has been measured in pigs after IM injections of azaperone, apparently due to slight alpha-adrenergic blockade. Azaperone has been demonstrated to prevent the development of halothane-induced malignant hyperthermia in susceptible pigs. Preliminary studies have suggested that the effects of butyrophenones may be antagonized by 4-aminopyridine. |
| Pharmacokinetics | Minimal information was located regarding actual pharmacokinetic parameters, but the drug is considered to have a fairly rapid onset of action following IM injections in pigs (5-10 minutes) with a peak effect at approximately 30 minutes post injection. It has a duration of action of 2-3 hours in young pigs and 3-4 hours in older swine. The drug is metabolized in the liver with 13% of it excreted in the feces. At 16 hours post-dose, practically all of the drug is eliminated from the body; however in the UK a 10-day slaughter withdrawal has been assigned. |
| Side effects | Transient salivation, piling, panting and shivering have been reported in pigs. Pigs should be left undisturbed after injection (for approximately 20 minutes) until the drug's full effects have been expressed; disturbances during this period may trigger excitement.
Azaperone has minimal analgesic effects and is not a substitute for appropriate anesthesia or analgesia. Doses above 1 mg/kg may cause the penis to be extruded in boars. |
| Safety Profile | Poison by ingestion,
intravenous, intraperitoneal, and
subcutaneous routes. When heated to
decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of
Fand NOx. |
| Veterinary Drugs and Treatments | Azaperone is officially indicated for the “control of aggressiveness
when mixing or regrouping weanling or feeder pigs weighing up to
36.4 kg” (Package Insert, Stresnil?—P/M; Mallinckrodt). It is also
used clinically as a general tranquilizer for swine, to allow
piglets to
be accepted by aggressive sows, and as a preoperative agent prior to
general anesthesia or cesarean section with local anesthesia.
Azaperone has been used as a neuroleptic in horses, but some
horses develop adverse reactions (sweating, muscle tremors, panic
reaction, CNS excitement) and IV administration has resulted in
significant arterial hypotension. Because of these effects, most clinicians
avoid the use of this drug in equines. |
| Overdosage | Overdoses (>1 mg/kg) in boars may cause penis extrusion leading to damage. |
| storage | Azaperone should be stored at controlled room temperature (15-25°C) and away from light. Do not store above 25°C. Once the vial is opened it should be used within 28 days. No information was located regarding mixing azaperone with other compounds. |
| Precautions | When used as directed, the manufacturer reports no contraindications (other than for slaughter withdrawal) for the drug. It should not be given IV as a significant excitatory phase may be seen in pigs. Avoid use in very cold conditions as cardiovascular collapse may occur secondary to peripheral vasodilation.
Do not exceed dosing recommendation in boars as the drug may cause the penis to be extruded.
Because Vietnamese Pot Bellied pigs may have delayed absorption due to sequestration of the drug in body fat, re-dose with extreme caution; deaths have resulted after repeat dosing. |
