poloxalene

Poloxalene is a synthetic non-ionic surfactant and a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. It is primarily used in veterinary medicine for the prevention and treatment of frothy bloat in ruminants such as cattle. Frothy bloat occurs when fermentation gases become trapped in stable foam within the rumen; poloxalene acts by lowering the surface tension of this foam, causing it to collapse and allowing gas to be expelled naturally[1][3][8]. The drug is administered orally—either as a drench, mixed into feed (as top dressing or molasses blocks), or added to drinking water—and has been shown to significantly reduce both incidence and severity of pasture bloat[1][3][7][8]. Poloxalene’s amphiphilic structure enables it to interact with cell membranes and proteins by altering surface tension, which also underlies its use as an excipient or dispersant in other pharmaceutical applications[6]. It is not intended for human use.

Brand names

Bloat GuardAlfasure

Other names

ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymerpolyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymernon-ionic surfactant