What is Alfaxalone Injectable used for?

Alfaxalone Injectable is indicated for: Anesthesia induction.

Which species have cited Alfaxalone Injectable dosing data?

Alfaxalone Injectable dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 4 species: African Grey Parrot, Bearded Dragon, Guinea Pig, Rabbit (Domestic).

Is Alfaxalone Injectable a controlled substance?

Alfaxalone Injectable is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Alfaxalone Injectable

US brand names:Alfaxan

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Alfaxalone Injectable is dosed at 5 mg/kg IV once (induction) in bearded dragons, per Knotek Z. Induction to inhalation anesthesia in agamid lizards with alfaxalone. Vet Med (Praha). 2017,62:41-43. - read in Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed (Divers and Stahl), Ch.49 General Anesthesia, TABLE 49.2 'Anesthetic Protocols Reported in Lizards', printed p.452, superscript 77: 'Alfaxalone | Bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), Chinese water dragons (Physignathus cocincinus) | 5 | IV | Induction agent, allows for endotracheal intubation in all animals. Loss of righting reflex within 12-45 seconds.' NOTE: Carpenter's Table 4.5 does NOT print a 5 mg/kg IV alfaxalone row for bearded dragons - its bearded-dragon IV row is 12 mg/kg (ref 366, Perrin and Bertelsen 2017).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Neurological

Routes

IVIM

Indications

Anesthesia induction

Mechanism of Action

Neuroactive steroid modulating GABA-A receptor. Produces rapid, smooth induction with minimal cardiovascular depression. IM route possible in cats and exotics.

Side effects & warnings

FDA-approved for dogs and cats. IM route useful in fractious cats and exotic species. Apnea possible with rapid IV. Good muscle relaxation. Smooth recovery.

Species with Alfaxalone Injectable dosing data (4 dose rules)

African Grey Parrot Bearded Dragon Guinea Pig Rabbit (Domestic)

Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugs All Bearded Dragon drugs All Guinea Pig drugs All Rabbit (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 4 dose rules

Moderate×3Strong×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 4 published sources

· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed, Table 5.2, Table 5.4 (the served figure is printed in each; all lie in the chapter covering this species); located 2026-08-06. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929
· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed. | Open-access corroboration 2026-07-20: doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0259559 PMID:34780534 — outbred, SPF Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs (38 (26–46) day-old), 5 mg/kg IM (peer_reviewed). — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

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