Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences, Vol. 36, No. 2, 2022 (327-332)
327
Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences
www.vetmedmosul.com
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics interaction between nefopam
and tramadol in the broiler chicks model
Y.J. Mousa
1
and M.B. Mahmood
2
1
Department of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul, Mosul,
2
Department of Internal Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Dohuk, Dohuk,
Iraq
Article information Abstract
Article history:
Received May 23, 2021
Accepted July 11, 2021
Available online February 2, 2022
No former studies are dealing with the pharmacological (pharmacodynamics and
pharmacokinetics) interaction between nefopam and tramadol in the chicks' model. The
median effective doses (ED50s) for nefopam and tramadol produces analgesia has been
estimated each alone as 9.24 and 0.83 mg/kg, IP, respectively. The interaction concerning
nefopam and tramadol combination was estimated by isobolographic analysis to be 2.91
and 0.25 mg/kg, IP. The kind of interaction between nefopam and tramadol was
synergistic as indicated by the interaction index 0.61. The analgesic efficacy of the
combination was significantly different from nefopam and tramadol administered alone.
Nefopam plasma concentration 18.48 mg/kg, IP for different measured times 0.5, 1, 2, 4,
and 24 hours 33.25, 27.10, 15.05, 13.61, and 2.45 μg/ml while the concentration was
increased once coadministered with tramadol 1.66 mg/kg, IP by 22, 26, 43, 45, and 81%
been 40.72, 34.27, 21.53, 19.76, and 4.43 μg/ml, respectively. Nefopam pharmacokinetic
profile comprised of area-under-curve (AUC), area-under-moment-curve (AUMC), mean-
residence-time (MRT), half-life (t1/2β), maximal concentration (Cmax) amplified after
tramadol is coadministered with nefopam by 52, 260, 23, 15, and 22%. The elimination
constant (Kel), distribution volume (VD), clearance (Cl) were diminished 13, 25, and 29%,
similarly. The sum results suggested a synergistic interaction between nefopam and
tramadol along with a modification in nefopam pharmacokinetic parameters which
improve the therapeutic efficacy of nefopam in the chickens besides, advocate using these
two drugs as preanesthetics in veterinary medicine.
Keywords:
Chicks
Nefopam
Pharmacodynamics
Pharmacokinetics
Tramadol
Correspondence:
Y.J. Mousa
yarub204@uomosul.edu.iq
DOI: 10.33899/ijvs.2021.130163.1746, ©Authors, 2022, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Introduction
Nefopam belongs to non-narcotic medications generally
of benefit for the management of mild to serious acute or
chronic discrimination or used for treating neuropathic ache
disorders (1) and acetaminophen coadministration could
potentiate its analgesic effect (2). Nefopam can lead to
stronger, deeper, and more durable illnesses without
causing respiratory depression similar to morphine through
its central acting on the brain and spinal cord (3-5).
Nefopam acts through a specific mechanism for action by
either altering the Na
+2
and Ca
+2
channels via decreasing
glutamate neurotransmitter release (which is considered to
be a key pain-related neurotransmitter) or by increasing
catecholamines (especially norepinephrine and dopamine)
and serotonin by their rehabilitation of the presynaptic
neurons (6). Tramadol is an opioid drug that is commonly
used for developing its antinociceptive properties in
animals and humans through its mode of action against mu
receptors on the central nervous system through inhibiting
the re-uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin (7-9).
Tramadol is considered a good pain relief but produces