Efficacy and Pharmacokinetics of Pantoprazole in Alpacas

Principal investigator:

Geof Smith, DVM, PhD
North Carolina State University
College of Veterinary Medicine

In this study, 6 adult male alpacas were anesthetized and fitted with a third compartment cannula for measuring gastric pH. Following recovery, alpacas received 1 mg/kg pantoprazole intravenous every 24 hrs for 3 days or 2 mg/kg subcutaneously every 24 hrs for 3 days. All alpacas received both IV and SQ pantoprazole, with a minimum of 3 weeks between treatments. Third compartment pH was recorded at regular intervals and plasma samples were taken for pharmacokinetic analysis. Pantoprazole induced a slow but sustained increase in third compartment pH when given by both the IV and SQ routes. Baseline third compartment pH (1.81 + 0.7) increased to 2.47 + 0.8, 3.53 + 1 and 4.03 + 1.3 at 24, 48 and 72 hrs following IV administration. Third compartment pH increased from 1.73 + 0.6, at baseline to 3.05 + 1.1, 4.01 + 1.4 and 3.61 + 1.6 at 24, 48 and 72 hrs following SQ administration. This study showed that pantoprazole represents a safe and effective drug for increasing third compartment pH in alpacas. It is likely an effective treatment for third compartment ulcers and might be useful for prophylactic administration in stressed camelids at high risk for developing ulcers.