SevoFlo

SevoFlo is a general anaesthetic for dogs and cats. SevoFlo is used to bring about and maintain general anaesthesia (loss of consciousness). It contains the active substance sevoflurane, a chemical which is a liquid at room temperature, but when heated becomes a gas (vaporises).

For more information, see the package leaflet.

SevoFlo is given using specialised anaesthetic equipment, usually in a carefully controlled gas mixture including oxygen. The dog or cat breathes in the gas mixture, which causes it to become unconscious. The medicine can only be obtained with a prescription. For more information about using SevoFlo, see the package leaflet or contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.

When a dog or cat is given a mixture of oxygen and sevoflurane to breathe, the sevoflurane is inhaled into its lungs and is carried by the blood into the brain. Sevoflurane mimics the action of GABA, a substance that naturally reduces brain activity, and blocks the action of glutamate, which stimulates the activity of the brain. Together, these combined actions result in loss of consciousness.

Studies in dogs found that SevoFlo was as effective at starting and maintaining anaesthesia as other anaesthetic agents, such as isoflurane (another anaesthetic gas), thiopental, propofol, and ketamine plus diazepam. SevoFlo produced a relatively rapid and smooth start of anaesthesia in dogs, followed by a good recovery. Studies showed that sevoflurane could be used safely with several other medicines commonly used in dogs before or during operations, for maintenance of anaesthesia.

For cats, a review of published scientific literature showed that SevoFlo is effective for anaesthesia and that it is compatible with a range of sedative and pain-relieving medicines used in anaesthesia. The effectiveness of SevoFlo was comparable to isoflurane. In addition, SevoFlo has been commonly used off-label (use that is not officially authorised) as an anaesthetic for cats for more than 10 years and therefore its use in cats is considered to be ‘well-established’.

The most common side effects with SevoFlo, which may affect more than 1 in 10 animals, are low blood pressure, rapid breathing, muscle tenseness, excitation, a temporary inability to breathe, small muscle twitches and vomiting.

SevoFlo must not be given to animals with a genetic susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia. This is a rare life-threatening condition usually triggered by exposure to certain general anaesthetics that is associated with muscle spasm and very high body temperatures.

For the full list of side effects of SevoFlo, and for the full list of restrictions, see the package leaflet.

Safety information has been included in the summary of product characteristics and the package leaflet for SevoFlo, including the appropriate precautions to be followed by healthcare professionals and animal owners or keepers.

If a person accidentally inhales sevoflurane vapour, this may cause symptoms such as shivering, nausea, headache, low blood pressure, decreased heart rate and even reduced breathing. Care must therefore be taken when handling SevoFlo: any spillage must be removed immediately, the vapour must not be inhaled, and any contact with the product by mouth must be avoided. Pregnant and breast-feeding women must not come into contact with the product and they should also avoid operating rooms and animal recovery areas where the product is being used or has recently been used. In case of accidental contact with the skin or eyes, or for more information, the package leaflet should be consulted.

The European Medicine’s Agency decided that SevoFlo’s benefits are greater that its risks and it can be authorised for use in the EU.

SevoFlo received a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU for SevoFlo on 11 December 2002.

Further information on SevoFlo can be found on the Agency’s website: ema.europa.eu/Find medicine/Veterinary medicines/European public assessment reports.