Injectable pharmaceutical compositions comprising a cyclodextrin, a hydrophobic drug, a co-solvent and a preservative

A method of anesthetizing an animal, comprising administering to an animal an injectable pharmaceutical composition complying with the European Pharmacopoeia 2011 Test for Efficacy of Antimicrobial Preservation, satisfying at least the B criteria for parenterals, and the United States Pharmacopeia 2011 Guidelines for Antimicrobial Effectiveness Testing for Category 1 (injectable) products, the composition comprising:

• water,
• 1% w/v to 5% w/v alfaxalone,
• 8% w/v to 40% w/v 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin,
• 0.1% w/v to 0.15% w/v chlorocresol,
• 15% w/v ethanol,
• a phosphate buffer comprising disodium phosphate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate to provide a pH in the range of 6.0 to 7.5, benzethonium chloride in the amount of 0.005% w/v to 0.05% w/v and sodium chloride.