Zycortal Suspension for Dogs - desoxycorticosterone - 25 mg/ml (4ml) - [Addison's Disease]

Zycortal is a prescription medication used for the treatment of primary hypoadrenocorticism, also known as Addison's disease, in dogs. Addison's disease is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones, leading to symptoms such as weakness, lethargy, vomiting, and weight loss. Zycortal contains the active ingredient desoxycorticosterone, which is a hormone that helps regulate electrolyte balance and blood pressure.

Key Benefits

• Hormone Replacement Therapy: Zycortal provides a replacement for the hormone desoxycorticosterone, which is deficient in dogs with Addison's disease.
• Long-Lasting Relief: Zycortal is a long-acting injectable suspension that provides sustained release of desoxycorticosterone, reducing the frequency of injections.
• Improved Quality of Life: By managing the symptoms of Addison's disease, Zycortal helps improve the quality of life for affected dogs, allowing them to live more comfortably.

How It Works

Zycortal contains the active ingredient desoxycorticosterone, which is a mineralocorticoid hormone. In dogs with Addison's disease, the adrenal glands do not produce enough of this hormone, leading to electrolyte imbalances and other symptoms. Desoxycorticosterone helps regulate electrolyte balance, particularly sodium and potassium levels, and helps maintain blood pressure.

When Zycortal is administered by subcutaneous injection, it provides a replacement for the deficient desoxycorticosterone hormone. This helps restore electrolyte balance and blood pressure, reducing the symptoms of Addison's disease and improving the overall health and well-being of affected dogs.

Indications

Zycortal is indicated for the treatment of primary hypoadrenocorticism, also known as Addison's disease, in dogs. Addison's disease is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones, particularly cortisol and aldosterone. This leads to symptoms such as weakness, lethargy, vomiting, and weight loss. Zycortal provides a replacement for the deficient mineralocorticoid hormone desoxycorticosterone, helping to manage the symptoms of Addison's disease and improve the quality of life for affected dogs.

Specifications:

• Brand: Zycortal
• Generic Name: Desoxycorticosterone
• Type: Injectable suspension
• Indicated for: Treatment of primary hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease) in dogs
• Dosage Form: Injectable suspension
• Administration: Administered by subcutaneous injection
• Available Strengths: 25 mg/ml
• Packaging: Available in vials
• Storage: Store at room temperature, away from light
• Manufacturer: Dechra Pharmaceuticals
• Prescription Required: Yes, prescription-only medication. Must be prescribed by a veterinarian.

Desoxycorticosterone pivalate.

View Zycortal Suspension Drug Facts Sheet.

Prior to each use, thoroughly shake the vial to resuspend the product. Zycortal Suspension replaces the mineralocorticoid hormones only. Dogs with combined glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid deficiency should also be treated with an appropriate glucocorticoid.

Zycortal Suspension is intended for long term administration at intervals and dosages dependent upon individual patient response. Tailor the dose of Zycortal Suspension and the concurrently administered glucocorticoid replacement therapy to the individual animal based on clinical response and normalization of Na⁺/K⁺ concentrations.

Initial dose: The initial dose is 2.2 mg/kg body weight administered by subcutaneous injection.

Interim monitoring visit: Re-evaluate the dog and measure the serum sodium/potassium (Na⁺/K⁺ ratio) approximately 10 days after the first dose, which is the time to maximum concentration (T_max) of desoxycorticosterone (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY). If the dog's clinical signs have worsened or not resolved, adjust the dose of glucocorticoid and/or investigate other causes of the clinical signs.

Second dose of Zycortal Suspension: At approximately 25 days after the first dose, re-evaluate the dog and repeat the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio.

• If the dog is clinically normal and has a normal Na⁺/K⁺ ratio on Day 25, adjust the dose based on the Day 10 Na⁺/K⁺ ratio using the guidelines in Table 1, below.
• If the dog is both clinically normal and has a Na⁺/K⁺ ratio > 32 on Day 25, either adjust the dose based on the Day 10 Na⁺/K⁺ ratio according to Table 1 or delay the dose (see Prolonging the dosing interval).
• If the dog is either not clinically normal or if the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio is abnormal on Day 25, adjust the dose of glucocorticoid or Zycortal Suspension (see Subsequent doses and long term management).

Prolonging the dosing interval: If the dog is clinically normal and the Day 25 Na⁺/K⁺ ratio is > 32, it is possible to prolong the dosing interval instead of adjusting the dose as described in Table 1. Evaluate the electrolytes every 3-7 days until the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio is < 32, and then administer 2.2 mg/kg of Zycortal Suspension.

Subsequent doses and long term management: For subsequent doses, use the following guidelines if the dog is not clinically normal and/or has abnormal Na+ or K+ concentrations:

• Clinical signs of polyuria/polydipsia: Decrease the glucocorticoid dose first. If the polyuria/polydipsia persists, then decrease the dose of Zycortal Suspension without changing the dosing interval.
• Clinical signs of depression, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea or weakness: Increase glucocorticoid dose.
• Hyperkalemia, hyponatremia or Na⁺/K⁺ ratio < 27: Decrease the Zycortal Suspension dosing interval by 2-3 days.
• Hypokalemia or hypernatremia: Decrease the Zycortal Suspension dose.

Prior to a stressful situation, consider temporarily increasing the dose of replacement glucocorticoid.

Contraindications:

Do not use Zycortal Suspension in dogs that have previously had a hypersensitivity reaction to desoxycorticosterone pivalate.

Caution:

Any dog presenting with severe hypovolemia, dehydration, pre-renal azotemia and inadequate tissue perfusion ("Addisonian crisis") must be rehydrated with intravenous fluid (saline) therapy before starting treatment with Zycortal Suspension.

Avoid inadvertent intravenous injection which may have an adverse effect on the dog.The effectiveness of Zycortal Suspension may be reduced if potassium-sparing diuretics, such as spironolactone, are administered concurrently.

Use Zycortal Suspension with caution in dogs with congestive heart disease, edema, severe renal disease or primary hepatic failure. Desoxycorticosterone pivalate may cause polyuria, polydipsia, increased blood volume, edema and cardiac enlargement. Excessive weight gain may indicate fluid retention secondary to sodium retention.

The safety of desoxycorticosterone pivalate has not been established in breeding, pregnant and lactating dogs and dogs less than 6 months of age.

Warnings:

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage:

Store between 15-30°C. Do not freeze. Use within 120 days of first puncture.