Can you freeze Atopica?
This brief guide will address the query: “Can you freeze Atopica?” Also, we’ll explore how Atopica can be stored, what Atopica is, what Atopica is indicated for, and what precautions users should take when administering Atopica.
Can you freeze Atopica?
No, Atopica, which is the brand name of a veterinary cyclosporine formulation, should not be frozen.
This is because subzero temperatures are out of the temperature range indicated by the manufacturer.
Failure to heed the manufacturer’s storage instructions may result in the product having suboptimal efficacy, and as a result, constitute a waste of the user’s money.
However, some experts do recommend freezing individual capsules just before administering them to a dog, as this can reputedly help stave off the medication’s nauseating effects.
Below, we’ll review how Atopica capsules should be stored.
How can I store Atopica?
Atopica cyclosporine should be stored following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Namely, this involves storing the capsules in a dry, cool place, and keeping them out of direct sunlight or high humidity.
The storage temperature ranges between 15°C to 25°C, which means that it should be preserved at room temperature, ideally in a dry cabinet or a medicine box.
If the capsules are exposed to humidity, light, or temperatures above or below this range, these elements may damage the packaging or denature the components in the medication, rendering it less effective.
In a resource bulletin published by the University of Wisconsin, the authors recommend storing individual pills at subzero temperatures to help mitigate nauseating effects caused by the medication, though this side effect is reported in few and not all pets.
Users should take notes of how their pets react to Cyclosporine and determine whether or not it is necessary to freeze the gel capsules.
What is Atopica?
Atopica is a gel-capsule formulation manufactured for veterinary use. Its active ingredient, cyclosporin, is used as an immunosuppressant with various applications, in both medicine and veterinary treatment.
Cyclosporine is a metabolite extracted from the fungus Beauveria nivea.
Notably, the manufacturer maintains that Atopica is the first medication to be approved for the treatment of a few select skin maladies in dogs.
Cyclosporin dose, however, have contraindications. The manufacturer cautions against administering it to dogs with certain pre existing conditions and warns of side effects that its usage may entail.
Side effects include digestive problems such as an upset stomach, vomiting, loose stools, diarrhea, anorexia, and nausea.
In the event of these side effects, experts recommend freezing the capsules, or rationing them throughout the day and administering them with a small morsel of food.
What is Atopica indicated for?
Atopica is indicated for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, specifically, in dogs that weigh at least 4 pounds (1.8 kg).
The initial dosage of Atopica cyclosporine is 5 milligrams per kilo, and it should be administered once a day, for one month.
Once this period of treatment has been completed, users can begin to lower the dosage by administering it every other day, then twice a week. The manufacturer indicates that the dosage should be lowered until reaching a baseline that maintains the active ingredient’s effect.
Users should not administer the dose more than once a day, and if a dose is missed, it should be administered, but not elevated.
Atopica is only indicated for use in dogs, and readers with other pets such as cats or rodents that suffer from dermatitis should consult with a veterinarian to obtain guidance and treatment.
What precautions should users take when administering Atopica?
Users should note that Atopica is contraindicated in dogs with a history, or symptoms of neoplasia. This alludes to any abnormal growth throughout the dog’s body, both benign and malignant.
It is also contraindicated in dogs who show symptoms of hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of the inert ingredients in the formulation.
Atopica cyclosporine should not be administered to dogs younger than six months old, or below the minimum weight of 4 pounds.
It is not indicated for usage in studs, pregnant or lactating bitches.
In dogs with diabetes, it should be used with caution, as it may elevate glucose levels.
The manufacturer also advises caution when administering it to dogs that have been diagnosed or are suspected to have kidney failure.
Users should always consult with a certified veterinarian if their dogs present symptoms of atopic dermatitis, and should never medicate them with anything that is not prescribed.
If their dogs present one or more symptoms of an adverse reaction, users should not hesitate to seek emergency care and guidance from a certified professional.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we’ve addressed the query: “Can you freeze Atopica?” Also, we’ve explored how Atopica can be stored, what Atopica is, what Atopica is indicated for, and what precautions users should take when administering Atopica.
References
https://www.elancolabels.com/us/atopica-dogs
https://www.elanco.us/products-services/dogs/atopica-cyclosporine-capsules-usp-modified
https://uwveterinarycare.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Cyclosporin-2018.pdf
