Cats recovering from surgery may rest peacefully overnight with the use of a new 24-hour pain control drug from Abbott Animal Health. The Abbott Park, Ill., veterinary drug maker today announced the launch of Simbadol (buprenorphine injection) across the United States, five months after the medication received Food and Drug Administration approval. Simbadol is indicated for postoperative pain control in cats and is formulated to minimize the need for overnight dosing. The drug is the first and only FDA-approved opioid analgesic for cats to provide 24-hour pain control in a single dose, according to Abbott. The Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine is among the first users of Simbadol. Tammy Grubb, DVM, Ph.D., an assistant professor of anesthesia and analgesia, called the drug “an important advancement for cats and for veterinarians.” “We can be comfortable that our patients have adequate analgesia, even through the night,” Dr. Grubb said. Available in 10mL multidose vials, Simbadol is distributed by MWI Veterinary Supply, Henry Schein Animal Health and Midwest Veterinary Supply.
