veterinarypharmacology

Veterinary pharmacology is the branch of pharmacology concerned with the effects of drugs in animals. It encompasses the study of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and therapeutic use across animal species. The discipline informs prescribing, dosing, safety, and efficacy in companion animals, production animals, and exotic species, and it intersects with pharmacovigilance and drug development.

Animal species differ markedly in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, leading to species-specific dosing and formulations. Principles of pharmacokinetics (ADME) and pharmacodynamics guide how drugs achieve therapeutic effect and how long they persist. Therapeutic drug monitoring may be used for drugs with narrow margins.

Common areas include antibiotics and antimicrobials, antiparasitics, analgesics and anti-inflammatories, anesthetics, cardiovascular and oncologic drugs, and supportive therapies. Special considerations include age, pregnancy, liver and kidney function, and potential drug interactions. Safety concerns include adverse drug reactions, toxicities, and the need to avoid off-label use when risks outweigh benefits.

Regulation and practice: Veterinary pharmacology informs clinical guidelines, compounding, and regulatory oversight of drug approval and withdrawal times for food-producing animals. In the United States, the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine regulates veterinary medicines and enforces extra-label use guidelines under the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act. Antimicrobial stewardship and responsible prescribing are emphasized to mitigate resistance and residues.