Romifidine is a drug that is used in veterinary medicine as a sedative mainly in large animals such as horses,[1] although it may be used in a wide variety of species.[2][3] It is not used in humans, but is closely related in structure to the commonly used drug clonidine.
Romifidine acts as an agonist at the α2adrenergic receptor subtype. Side effects can include bradycardia and respiratory depression. It is often used alongside other sedative or analgesic drugs such as ketamine or butorphanol.[4][5]Yohimbine can be used as an antidote to rapidly reverse the effects.
References[]
^Spadavecchia C, Arendt-Nielsen L, Andersen OK, Spadavecchia L, Schatzmann U (November 2005). "Effect of romifidine on the nociceptive withdrawal reflex and temporal summation in conscious horses". American Journal of Veterinary Research. 66 (11): 1992–8. doi:10.2460/ajvr.2005.66.1992. PMID16334961.
^De Lucas JJ, Rodríguez C, Marín M, González F, Ballesteros C, San Andrés MI (February 2007). "Pharmacokinetics of intramuscular ketamine in young ostriches premedicated with romifidine". Journal of Veterinary Medicine. A, Physiology, Pathology, Clinical Medicine. 54 (1): 48–50. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0442.2007.00910.x. PMID17359455.
^Belda E, Laredo FG, Escobar M, Soler M, Lucas X, Agut A (January 2008). "Sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of three doses of romifidine in comparison with medetomidine in five cats". The Veterinary Record. 162 (3): 82–7. doi:10.1136/vr.162.3.82. PMID18204032. S2CID41300654.
^Corletto F, Raisis AA, Brearley JC (January 2005). "Comparison of morphine and butorphanol as pre-anaesthetic agents in combination with romifidine for field castration in ponies". Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. 32 (1): 16–22. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2995.2004.00184.x. PMID15663735.