# Temperature-responsive hydrogel of oclacitinib maleate administered via the rectum in rabbit

## TL;DR

A new hydrogel for rectal delivery of oclacitinib maleate was developed to treat itching in animals, showing effective absorption and safety.

## Contribution

A temperature-responsive hydrogel for rectal administration of oclacitinib maleate was developed and tested for efficacy and safety.

## Key findings

- Transrectal administration of the hydrogel increased blood concentration of oclacitinib maleate with Tmax of 87 min and Cmax of 37 ng/mL.
- The hydrogel showed no rectal mucosal irritation, indicating safety for clinical use.

## Abstract

The extensive and intense itching caused by skin diseases can significantly diminish the quality of life for companion animals. Oral administration of oclacitinib maleate is recognized as an important treatment for alleviating itching. Oral medications are affected by the animal’s temperament and swallowing ability.

In this study, we developed a temperature-responsive hydrogel containing oclacitinib maleate for rectal administration, and we evaluated its therapeutic potential for treating itching through pharmacokinetic analysis using rabbits as test subjects.

Pharmacokinetic results indicated that the transrectal administration of OM T-R Hydrogel effectively increased the blood concentration of oclacitinib maleate (Tmax = 87 min, Cmax = 37 ng/mL, t1/2λz = 762 min). Furthermore, the OM T-R Hydrogel demonstrated no rectal mucosal irritation, confirming its safety for clinical use.

In conclusion, this paper successfully investigated a promising novel drug delivery system to alleviate pruritus in dogs and cats.