How should prednisolone tablets be given to a rat? - briefly
Crush the tablet, suspend it in an appropriate vehicle such as 0.5 % methylcellulose, and give the calculated dose by oral gavage according to the rat’s weight (mg kg⁻¹). Keep the gavage volume below 10 mL kg⁻¹ and administer once daily as specified in the experimental protocol.
How should prednisolone tablets be given to a rat? - in detail
Prednisolone tablets must be adapted for oral dosing in rats. The process begins with dose calculation based on body weight (mg kg⁻¹). Common therapeutic ranges for rodents are 0.5–5 mg kg⁻¹ per day; the exact value depends on the experimental model and desired pharmacodynamic effect. Multiply the selected dose by the animal’s weight to obtain the required milligram amount per individual.
Because tablets are formulated for humans, they cannot be administered intact. Follow these steps:
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Tablet preparation
- Crush the tablet to a fine powder using a mortar and pestle.
- Transfer the powder to a calibrated tube.
- Add a suitable vehicle (e.g., sterile distilled water, 0.5 % methylcellulose, or a 1 % carboxymethylcellulose solution) to achieve a final concentration that permits accurate gavage volumes (typically 1–2 mL kg⁻¹).
- Vortex or stir until the suspension is homogeneous. Prepare fresh each day to prevent degradation.
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Dosing equipment
- Use a calibrated oral gavage needle (20‑22 G, 1–2 inch length) appropriate for the rat’s size.
- Verify the needle’s patency by aspirating a small amount of the suspension before administration.
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Administration technique
- Restrain the rat gently but securely, supporting the neck and back.
- Insert the gavage needle along the midline of the tongue, advancing to the esophagus without forcing.
- Deliver the calculated volume slowly (≈0.1 mL s⁻¹) to minimize aspiration risk.
- Observe the animal for signs of distress or regurgitation; if observed, repeat the procedure with a new suspension.
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Frequency and schedule
- Administer once daily unless the protocol specifies split dosing.
- Maintain consistent dosing times to reduce circadian variability.
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Monitoring and record‑keeping
- Record body weight, dose volume, and any adverse reactions at each administration.
- Adjust the dose if the animal’s weight changes by more than 5 % to preserve the intended mg kg⁻¹ exposure.
- Store any unused suspension at 4 °C for no longer than 24 h; discard thereafter.
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Safety considerations
- Wear gloves and eye protection when handling prednisolone powder.
- Dispose of contaminated materials according to institutional hazardous waste guidelines.
- Ensure that the vehicle does not interfere with the drug’s absorption; validate if an alternative solvent is required for specific studies.
By adhering to these procedures, researchers can deliver precise, reproducible prednisolone doses to rats, ensuring reliable pharmacological outcomes while minimizing animal stress and technical variability.