top of page

Acepromazine

Grade

Sedation/Premedication

Therapeutics

Therapeutics

Evidence

Evidence Base

  1. Aarnes, T.K., Hubbell, J. a. E., Hildreth, B.E., 2014. Use of sedation and ropivacaine-morphine epidural for femoral head and neck ostectomy in a dog. J Small Anim Pract 55, 334–336. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.12202

  2. Alvaides, R.K., Teixeira Neto, F.J., Aguiar, A.J.A., Campagnol, D., Steagall, P.V.M., 2008. Sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of acepromazine or atropine given before dexmedetomidine in dogs. Veterinary Record 162, 852–856. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.162.26.852

  3. Barr, S.C., Ludders, J.W., Looney, A.L., Gleed, R.D., Erb, H.N., 1992. Platelet aggregation in dogs after sedation with acepromazine and atropine and during subsequent general anesthesia and surgery. Am J Vet Res 53, 2067–2070.

  4. Bell, A.M., Auckburally, A., Pawson, P., Scott, E.M., Flaherty, D., 2011. Two doses of dexmedetomidine in combination with buprenorphine for premedication in dogs; a comparison with acepromazine and buprenorphine. Vet Anaesth Analg 38, 15–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2995.2010.00576.x

  5. Bergadano, A., Andersen, O.K., Arendt-Nielsen, L., Spadavecchia, C., 2009. Modulation of nociceptive withdrawal reflexes evoked by single and repeated nociceptive stimuli in conscious dogs by low-dose acepromazine. Vet Anaesth Analg 36, 261–272. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2995.2009.00447.x

  6. Bitti, F.S., Campagnol, D., Rangel, J.P., Nunes Junior, J.S., Loureiro, B., Monteiro, E.R., 2017. Effects of three methadone doses combined with acepromazine on sedation and some cardiopulmonary variables in dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg 44, 237–245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2016.04.003

  7. Carr, J.G., Tobias, K.M., Smith, L., 2014. Urethral prolapse in dogs: a retrospective study. Vet Surg 43, 574–580. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2014.12190.x

  8. Cazlan, C.E., Hay Kraus, B.L., 2020. Effects of 2% lidocaine hydrochloride solution as a coinduction agent with propofol on cardiopulmonary variables and administered propofol doses in healthy dogs premedicated with hydromorphone hydrochloride and acepromazine maleate. J Am Vet Med Assoc 256, 93–101. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.256.1.93

  9. Cornick, J.L., Hartsfield, S.M., 1992. Cardiopulmonary and behavioral effects of combinations of acepromazine/butorphanol and acepromazine/oxymorphone in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 200, 1952–1956.

  10. Cronin, M.F., Booth, N.H., Hatch, R.C., Brown, J., 1983. Acepromazine-xylazine combination in dogs: antagonism with 4-aminopyridine and yohimbine. Am J Vet Res 44, 2037–2042.

  11. Dyson, D.H., Atilola, M., 1992. A clinical comparison of oxymorphone-acepromazine and butorphanol-acepromazine sedation in dogs. Vet Surg 21, 418–421. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950x.1992.tb01720.x

  12. Fernández-Parra, R., Tissier, R., Alvarado, M.P., Garde-Sanjuan, L., Verwaerde, P., Saponaro, V., 2021. Conventional and advanced echocardiographic assessment of systolic function in dogs sedated with dexmedetomidine or acepromazine. Res Vet Sci 141, 129–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.09.014

  13. Giannetto, C., Macrì, F., Falcone, A., Giudice, E., Crupi, R., Cicero, L., Cassata, G., Staffieri, F., Di Pietro, S., 2021. Evaluation of Tear Production as Measured by Schirmer Test I in Dogs after Acepromazine and Acepromazine-Methadone Premedication. Animals (Basel) 11, 3015. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113015

  14. Gomes, V.H., Oliveira, R.L., Marques, J.L., Coelho, C.M., Silva, M.F., 2018. Comparison of the sedative effects of nalbuphine and butorphanol, alone or in combination with acepromazine in dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg 45, 68–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2017.08.003

  15. Grint, N.J., Alderson, B., Dugdale, A.H.A., 2010. A comparison of acepromazine-buprenorphine and medetomidine-buprenorphine for preanesthetic medication of dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 237, 1431–1437. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.237.12.1431

  16. Gurney, M., Cripps, P., Mosing, M., 2009. Subcutaneous pre-anaesthetic medication with acepromazine-buprenorphine is effective as and less painful than the intramuscular route. J Small Anim Pract 50, 474–477. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2009.00786.x

  17. Henao-Guerrero, N., Riccó, C.H., 2014. Comparison of the cardiorespiratory effects of a combination of ketamine and propofol, propofol alone, or a combination of ketamine and diazepam before and after induction of anesthesia in dogs sedated with acepromazine and oxymorphone. Am J Vet Res 75, 231–239. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.75.3.231

  18. Hoffmann, M.V., Kästner, S.B.R., Kietzmann, M., Kramer, S., 2012. Contact heat thermal threshold testing in beagle dogs: baseline reproducibility and the effect of acepromazine, levomethadone and fenpipramide. BMC Vet Res 8, 206. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-8-206

  19. Hofmeister, E.H., Chandler, M.J., Read, M.R., 2010. Effects of acepromazine, hydromorphone, or an acepromazine-hydromorphone combination on the degree of sedation in clinically normal dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 237, 1155–1159. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.237.10.1155

  20. Huang, H.-C., Huang, S.-W., Yu, K.-H., Wang, J.-H., Wu, J.-T., 2017. Development of a sedation protocol using orally administered tiletamine-zolazepam-acepromazine in free-roaming dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg 44, 1035–1041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2017.03.003

  21. Hunt, J.R., Grint, N.J., Taylor, P.M., Murrell, J.C., 2013. Sedative and analgesic effects of buprenorphine, combined with either acepromazine or dexmedetomidine, for premedication prior to elective surgery in cats and dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg 40, 297–307. https://doi.org/10.1111/vaa.12003

  22. Keating, S., Kerr, C., McDonell, W., Valverde, A., Johnson, R., Knych, H., Edginton, A., 2016. Effects of acepromazine or dexmedetomidine on fentanyl disposition in dogs during recovery from isoflurane anesthesia. Vet Anaesth Analg 43, 35–43. https://doi.org/10.1111/vaa.12271

  23. Koh, R.B., Isaza, N., Xie, H., Cooke, K., Robertson, S.A., 2014. Effects of maropitant, acepromazine, and electroacupuncture on vomiting associated with administration of morphine in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 244, 820–829. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.244.7.820

  24. Kushner, L.I., Calvert, C.A., Boyle, C.R., 1996. Effects of acepromazine and buprenorphine on measured indices of the signal-averaged electrocardiogram in healthy dogs. Am J Vet Res 57, 1511–1514.

  25. Martin-Flores, M., Mostowy, M.M., Pittman, E., Sakai, D.M., Mohammed, H.O., Gleed, R.D., Campoy, L., 2019. Investigation of associations between preoperative acepromazine or dexmedetomidine administration and development of arterial hypotension or bradycardia in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. J Am Vet Med Assoc 255, 193–199. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.255.2.193

  26. McNally, E.M., Robertson, S.A., Pablo, L.S., 2009. Comparison of time to desaturation between preoxygenated and nonpreoxygenated dogs following sedation with acepromazine maleate and morphine and induction of anesthesia with propofol. Am J Vet Res 70, 1333–1338. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.70.11.1333

  27. Monteiro, E.R., Figueroa, C.D.N., Choma, J.C., Campagnol, D., Bettini, C.M., 2008. Effects of methadone, alone or in combination with acepromazine or xylazine, on sedation and physiologic values in dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg 35, 519–527. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2995.2008.00412.x

  28. Monteiro, E.R., Junior, A.R., Assis, H.M.Q., Campagnol, D., Quitzan, J.G., 2009. Comparative study on the sedative effects of morphine, methadone, butorphanol or tramadol, in combination with acepromazine, in dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg 36, 25–33. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2995.2008.00424.x

  29. Monteiro, E.R., Lobo, R.B., Nunes, J.S., Rangel, J.P.P., Bitti, F.S., 2016. Tramadol does not enhance sedation induced by acepromazine in dogs. Can J Vet Res 80, 323–328.

  30. Monteiro, E.R., Nunes-Junior, J.S., Bressan, T.F., 2014. Randomized clinical trial of the effects of a combination of acepromazine with morphine and midazolam on sedation, cardiovascular variables and the propofol dose requirements for induction of anesthesia in dogs. Vet J 200, 157–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.01.018

  31. Monteiro, E.R., Rabello, T.A., Rangel, J.P.P., Nunes, J.S., Freire, C.D., Campagnol, D., 2019. Effects of 3 morphine doses, in combination with acepromazine, on sedation and some physiological parameters in dogs. Can J Vet Res 83, 235–240.

  32. Murdock, M.A., Riccó Pereira, C.H., Aarnes, T.K., Cremer, J., Lerche, P., Bednarski, R.M., 2020. Sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of intramuscular administration of alfaxalone and butorphanol combined with acepromazine, midazolam, or dexmedetomidine in dogs. Am J Vet Res 81, 65–76. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.81.1.65

  33. Petruccione, I., Murison, P.J., Flaherty, D., Auckburally, A., 2021. Comparison between dexmedetomidine and acepromazine in combination with methadone for premedication in brachycephalic dogs undergoing surgery for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. Vet Anaesth Analg 48, 305–313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2020.09.008

  34. Räihä, M.P., Räihä, J.E., Short, C.E., 1989. A comparison of xylazine, acepromazine, meperidine and medetomidine as preanesthetics to halothane anesthesia in dogs. Acta Vet Scand Suppl 85, 97–102.

  35. Ramsay, E.C., Wetzel, R.W., 1998. Comparison of five regimens for oral administration of medication to induce sedation in dogs prior to euthanasia. J Am Vet Med Assoc 213, 240–242.

  36. Rangel, J.P.P., Monteiro, E.R., Bitti, F.S., Junior, J.S.N., Campagnol, D., 2020. Hemodynamic, respiratory and sedative effects of progressively increasing doses of acepromazine in conscious dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg 47, 447–453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2020.02.007

  37. Robinson, R., Borer-Weir, K., 2013. A dose titration study into the effects of diazepam or midazolam on the propofol dose requirements for induction of general anaesthesia in client owned dogs, premedicated with methadone and acepromazine. Vet Anaesth Analg 40, 455–463. https://doi.org/10.1111/vaa.12052

  38. Santarelli, G., López, J.T., Del Palacio, J.F., 2017. Effects of a combination of acepromazine maleate and butorphanol tartrate on conventional and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in healthy dogs. Am J Vet Res 78, 158–167. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.78.2.158

  39. Saponaro, V., Crovace, A., De Marzo, L., Centonze, P., Staffieri, F., 2013. Echocardiographic evaluation of the cardiovascular effects of medetomidine, acepromazine and their combination in healthy dogs. Res Vet Sci 95, 687–692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.03.022

  40. Self, I.A., Hughes, J.M.L., Kenny, D.A., Clutton, R.E., 2009. Effect of muscle injection site on preanaesthetic sedation in dogs. Vet Rec 164, 323–326. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.164.11.323

  41. Simon, B.T., Scallan, E.M., Siracusa, C., Henderson, A., Sleeper, M.M., Larenza Menzies, M.P., 2014. Effects of acepromazine or methadone on midazolam-induced behavioral reactions in dogs. Can Vet J 55, 875–885.

  42. Smith, L.J., Yu, J.K., Bjorling, D.E., Waller, K., 2001. Effects of hydromorphone or oxymorphone, with or without acepromazine, on preanesthetic sedation, physiologic values, and histamine release in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 218, 1101–1105. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2001.218.1101

  43. Stepien, R.L., Bonagura, J.D., Bednarski, R.M., Muir, W.W., 1995. Cardiorespiratory effects of acepromazine maleate and buprenorphine hydrochloride in clinically normal dogs. Am J Vet Res 56, 78–84.

  44. Sutil, D.V., Mattoso, C.R.S., Volpato, J., Weinert, N.C., Costa, Á., Antunes, R.R., Muller, T.R., Beier, S.L., Tochetto, R., Comassetto, F., Saito, M.E., 2017. Hematological and splenic Doppler ultrasonographic changes in dogs sedated with acepromazine or xylazine. Vet Anaesth Analg 44, 746–754. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2016.11.012

  45. Valverde, A., Cantwell, S., Hernández, J., Brotherson, C., 2004. Effects of acepromazine on the incidence of vomiting associated with opioid administration in dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg 31, 40–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2995.2004.00128.x

  46. Van Vynckt, D., Samoy, Y., Polis, I., Bosmans, T., Verschooten, F., Van Ryssen, B., 2011. Evaluation of two sedation protocols for use before diagnostic intra-articular anaesthesia in lame dogs. J Small Anim Pract 52, 638–644. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2011.01136.x

  47. Wagner, M.C., Hecker, K.G., Pang, D.S.J., 2017. Sedation levels in dogs: a validation study. BMC Vet Res 13, 110. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-1027-2

  48. Wamaitha, M.N., Mogoa, E.M., Mande, J.D., 2019. Evaluation of anesthesia produced by ketofol in acepromazine- or medetomidine-sedated dogs. J Adv Vet Anim Res 6, 215–221. https://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2019.f335

  49. Zapata, M., Hofmeister, E.H., 2013. Refinement of the dose of doxapram to counteract the sedative effects of acepromazine in dogs. J Small Anim Pract 54, 405–408. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.12105

Expert Opinion

  1. 1317822* |  220805 Extrapolation of pharmacological properties in man and veterinary species. Some  material employed in collating the data displayed here was taken from  veterinary product datasheets or extrapolated from pharmacology texts.


Monograph Details

Monograph Details

bottom of page