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Simplify the problems associated with compounding anesthetics and analgesics.
Calculating appropriate dilutions and doses for mouse injectable analgesics and anesthetics can be an intricate and time-consuming process. Determining the correct amount to administer to a mouse is dependent on several variables including animal weight, acceptable injection volume, and simultaneous administration of multiple drug agents. An inappropriate dilution or a miscalculated dose can result in excessive anesthesia or death of the animal. To simplify and streamline the process of mouse drug dilution and calculation, we have created an electronic dosage calculator in Microsoft Excel for administering injectable anesthetics and analgesics to mice. Following mouse weight, number of animals to inject, and the desired drug or drug combination inputs, the Mouse Dosage Calculator instantly displays the necessary stock and dilutant volumes to combine along with the working concentration of the preparation. All calculations were standardized to produce a final injection volume of 0.3mL. The calculator has been field tested by veterinary technicians within the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Laboratory Animal Resource Center on a range of mouse cases.
The Challenges of Compounding
Commercially produced preparations of drugs in concentrations ideal for mice are not readily available. To circumvent this dilemma, research institutions must prepare their own dilutions of acceptable analgesic and anesthetic agents, a process for which there is no single standard operating procedure. This process is an example of "compounding," or the derivation of a specific drug preparation suitable for a purpose outside that of commercially available stock solutions. 1 Dilution of stock drugs must be performed in a sterile manner, necessitating the use of a sterile container in which they are combined and diluted.2 Post-dilution, the expiration date must be clearly marked on the container.
Although it is always preferable to make up a fresh solution on the day of administration, when this is not possible there are federal regulations that must be considered. The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention states that the beyond-use date of a multiple-dose container is 28 days, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.3 Drug package information should provide storage information, and should be adhered to closely to prevent inadvertent degradation or alteration of the drug's physical form. Such changes can result in a less effective product, or...