Acepromazine Flashcards

Acepromazine Overview

• Acepromazine belongs to the phenothiazine class of drugs.
• It is not classified as a controlled substance.
• The drug is water soluble, facilitating administration.

Metabolism and Approved Use

• Acepromazine is metabolized by the liver.
• Approved for use in dogs, cats, and horses.

Administration Routes

• Can be administered via IV, IM, SQ, or orally.
• For horses, intravenous (IV) administration is mandatory.

Effects and Safety

• No reversal agent is currently available for Acepromazine.
• Common adverse effects include:
  • Hypotension leading to decreased body temperature.
  • Bradycardia and reduction in seizure threshold.
  • Decreased packed cell volume (PCV) and dry mouth.
  • Penile prolapse may occur in large animals like horses.
  • Sedative effects can be diminished by sufficient patient stimulation.

Pharmacology and Usage

• Acepromazine acts by blocking dopamine and histamine receptors.
• It crosses the placental barrier slowly.
• Higher doses may increase hypotension without enhancing sedation.
• It can be combined with opioids to provide sedation and analgesia for minor procedures.
• Used alone or in combination as a preanesthetic to reduce the dose of general anesthetics needed and improve induction and recovery processes.

Contraindications and Dosing

• Contraindicated in:
  • Patients with liver and kidney damage or disease.
  • Geriatric patients, neonates, and those presenting with hypotension.
  • Patients with a history of seizures.
• Recommended dose range is between 0.05-0.1 mg/kg.