Do not use in conjunction with sympathomimetic amines. Care should be taken with the use of medetomidine in animals with cardiovascular disease or in poor general health. Before using any combinations consult the contraindications and warnings that appear on the other products’ data sheet. Medetomidine should not be used with thiopentone or propofol in animals with cardiac or respiratory disease.

By virtue of this alpha2-adrenergic activity, medetomidine causes bradycardia and hypothermia. It may also affect cardiac conductivity. Treated animals should be kept in a warm and even temperature during the procedures and for 12 hours after sedation.

Blood pressure will increase initially and then return to normal or slightly below.

Some dogs and most cats vomit 5-10 minutes after injection. Some cats may also vomit on recovery.

In some dogs and cats very slow respiratory rates may be seen.

Diuresis may be associated with recovery.

Medetomidine with ketamine in cats:

Medetomidine and ketamine are metabolised in the liver and excreted mainly via the kidneys, therefore any pre-existing hepatic or renal pathology must be carefully evaluated before considering this method of anaesthesia. Vomiting prior to onset of anaesthesia occurs in approximately 10 % of cases. Laryngeal and pharyngeal reflexes are retained during anaesthesia. The combination is reported to elicit a pain response in some cats when administered intramuscularly. Heart rates will generally fall to approximately 50 % of pre-anaesthetic levels and in some cats very slow respiratory rates are observed (4-6 breaths per minute). Where procedures are prolonged it may be helpful to apply an eye preparation at regular intervals to lubricate the cornea. During and after anaesthesia, treated animals should be kept in a warm and even temperature.

Medetomidine must not be mixed with other ketamine products, with the exception of Vetalar.

Medetomidine as a premedicant before thiopentone in dogs:

Anaesthesia being maintained with halothane (with or without nitrous oxide). This regime should not be used in animals with cardiovascular or respiratory disease. Medetomidine and thiopentone are metabolised in the liver and excreted via the kidneys; any pre-existing hepatic or renal pathology must be carefully evaluated before considering this method of anaesthesia.

Medetomidine has marked anaesthetic sparing effects. Therefore, it should be ensured that the dose of thiopentone and halothane is reduced accordingly and is administered with care to minimise the possibility of inadvertent overdosage. Respiratory rates may fall by up to 30 % of pre-dose values following administration of medetomidine. Heart rates will fall following the administration of medetomidine and they will not return to presedation levels following induction. Occasionally there will be a transient rise in heart rate associated with induction followed by bradycardia.

During and after anaesthesia, treated animals should be kept in warm and even temperature.

Medetomidine as a premedicament before propofol in dogs:

This regime should not be used in animals with cardiovascular or respiratory disease. Medetomidine and propofol are metabolised in the liver and excreted via the kidneys; any pre-existing hepatic or renal pathology must be carefully evaluated before considering this method of anaesthesia.

Medetomidine has marked anaesthetic sparing effects, therefore it should be ensured that the dose of propofol is reduced accordingly and is administered with care to minimise the possibility of inadvertent overdosage.

Transient apnoea and movement of the forelegs may occur during induction of anaesthesia and in some cases at higher dosages, a decline in arterial oxygen tension may occur. When using this regime dogs should be intubated and oxygen administered during anaesthesia.

During and after anaesthesia, treated animals should be kept in a warm and even temperature.

Care should be taken with the use of medetomidine in animals with cardiovascular disease or in poor general health.

Medetomidine, ketamine and thiopentone are metabolised in the liver and excreted mainly via the kidneys. Pre-existing liver or kidney pathology should be carefully evaluated prior to using these products.

In the case of accidental oral intake or self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet and other product literature to the physician but DO NOT DRIVE as sedation and changes in blood pressure may occur.

Irritation, sensitisation, contact dermatitis and systemic effects cannot be excluded after skin contact.

Avoid skin contact and wear impermeable gloves when handling the product.

Wash the exposed skin immediately after exposure with large amounts of water.

In the case of accidental projection of the product into the eyes, rinse abundantly with fresh water. If irritation persists, seek the advice of a physician.

Remove contaminated clothes.

Pregnant women should not handle the product.

ADVICE TO DOCTORS: medetomidine is an alpha-adrenoreceptor agonist whose toxicity may cause clinical effects including sedation, respiratory depression and coma, bradycardia and hypotension and hyperglycaemia. Ventricular arrhythmias have also been reported. Treatment should be supportive with appropriate intensive therapy.

The use of medetomidine in pregnancy has not been monitored in a sufficient number of animals. It is therefore not recommended.

Medetomidine should not be used in conjunction with sympathomimetic amines. The concomitant use of other central nervous system depressants should be expected to potentiate the effect of either product and appropriate dose adjustment should be made.

Medetomidine has marked anaesthetic sparing effects. The dose of compounds such as thiopentone, halothane and propofol should be reduced accordingly.

In cases of overdosage, or if the effects of medetomidine become life-threatening, the appropriate dose of atipamezole is recommended provided that reversal of sedation and analgesia is not dangerous to the patient. For example, atipamezole does not reverse the effects of ketamine. If it is imperative to reverse bradycardia but to maintain sedation, atropine may be used.

For animal treatment only.