Pharmacology of drugs used for anesthesia and sedation.

This article reviews and defines the concepts underlying modern pharmacologic science, such as the study of pharmacokinetics, pharmodynamics, and drug interactions. Differences in anesthetic and sedative effects observed among species may be explained in part, by varying pharmacokinetics and dynamics unique to each species. Pharmacokinetic data from ruminants and swine for many of the commonly used anesthetics and adjunctive sedatives are included. The receptor mechanism mediating the actions of anesthetics and sedatives is also reviewed. Rationale for combining CNS depressant drugs and analgesics to achieve "balanced anesthesia" and other favorable drug interactions is discussed. Several drug combinations used in ruminants and swine are provided in table form.