Tiletamine

Tiletamine is a dissociative anesthetic and pharmacologically classified as an NMDA receptor antagonist. It is related chemically and pharmacologically to other anesthetics in this family such as ketamine and phencyclidine. Tiletamine hydrochloride exists as odourless white crystals.

It is used in veterinary medicine in the compound product Telazol® (tiletamine/zolazepam, 50mg/ml of each in 5ml vial) as an injectable anesthetic. It is sometimes used in combination with xylazine (Rompun®) to tranquilize large mammals such as bears and horses. Telazol is the only commercially available tiletamine product in the USA.

CONTRAINDICATED in patients of an ASA statues of III or greater and in animals with CNS signs, hyperthyroidism, cardiac disease, pancreatic or renal disease, pregnancy, glaucoma, or penetrating eye injuries.

Tiletamine/zolazepam products are classified as Schedule III controlled substances in the United States.