Analgesic effect of intrathecal doxapram

ABSTRACT

This work was designed to define whether intrathecal doxapram has or not an analgesic effect. 20 clinically free adult dogs of both sexes were subjected to this study, these dogs were divided into 2 equal groups [I and II]. These dogs were prepared for lumber spinal injection and complete aseptic precautions were done during intrathecal administration of the drug. The site of injection was the space between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae. After injection of either doxapram [0.25 mg/kg] or distilled water [2 cc as placebo] in group I and group II respectively, dogs were left to stand. Continuous observations and testing for signs of autonomic, sensory and motor nerve block were done. Dogs of both groups were examined daily for 7 days after the day of injection to find out any post-injection side effects. On the 7th day, all dogs were sacrificed by electric shock and specimens from the lumbar parts of their spinal cords and meninges were taken far histopathological examination. This study proved that intrathecal doxapram has a short-lived local analgesic effect in dogs without post-injection side effects