You are here: Introduction > Dosage and administration
 
        PreviousNext
 
Dexdomitor 0.5 mg/ml Solution for Injection:  Dosage and administration
 
 
Dexdomitor 0.5 mg/ml Solution for Injection
Dosage and administration
Dexdomitor can be given by the intravenous or intramuscular route in dogs and by the intramuscular route in cats.
It is recommended that animals are fasted for 12 hours prior to administration. Water may be given ad libitum.
DOGS:
The doses for dogs are based on body surface area. The intravenous dose is 375 micrograms/square metre body surface area and the intramuscular dose is 500 micrograms/square metre body surface area when dexmedetomidine is used as the only agent for sedation and analgesia. When administering in conjunction with butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg) for deep sedation and analgesia, the intramuscular dose is 300 micrograms/square metre body surface area. The premedication dose of dexmedetomidine is 125 – 375 micrograms/square metre body surface area, administered 20 minutes prior to induction for procedures requiring anaesthesia. The dose should be adjusted to the type of surgery, length of procedure and patient temperament.
Concomitant use of dexmedetomidine and butorphanol produces sedative and analgesic effects beginning no later than 15 minutes. The peak sedative and analgesic effects are reached within 30 minutes after administration. Sedation lasts for at least 120 minutes post administration and analgesia lasts for at least 90 minutes. Spontaneous recovery occurs within 3 hours.
Premedication with dexmedetomidine will significantly reduce the dosage of the induction agent required and will reduce volatile anaesthetic requirements for maintenance anaesthesia. In a clinical study, the requirement for propofol and thiopental was reduced by 30% and 60% respectively. All anaesthetic agents used for induction or maintenance of anaesthesia should be administered to effect. In a clinical study, dexmedetomidine contributed to postoperative analgesia for 0.5 up to 4 hours. However this duration is dependent on a number of variables and further analgesia should be administered in accordance with clinical judgement.
The corresponding doses based on body weight are presented in the following tables. Use of an appropriately graduated syringe is recommended to ensure accurate dosing when administering small volumes.
Dogs
Single-use sedation and analgesia
Weight
Dexmedetomidine 375 mcg/m2 intravenously
Dexmedetomidine 500 mcg/m2 intravenously
(kg)
(mcg/kg)
(ml)
(mcg/kg)
(ml)
2-3
28.1
0.12
40
0.15
3-4
25
0.15
35
0.2
4-5
23
0.2
30
0.3
5-10
19.6
0.29
25
0.4
10-13
16.8
0.38
23
0.5
13-15
15.7
0.44
21
0.6
15-20
14.6
0.51
20
0.7
20-25
13.4
0.6
18
0.8
25-30
12.6
0.69
17
0.9
30-33
12
0.75
16
1.0
33-37
11.6
0.81
15
1.1
37-45
11
0.9
14.5
1.2
45-50
10.5
0.99
14
1.3
50-55
10.1
1.06
13.5
1.4
55-60
9.8
1.13
13
1.5
60-65
9.5
1.19
12.8
1.6
65-70
9.3
1.26
12.5
1.7
70-80
9
1.35
12.3
1.8
>80
8.7
1.42
12
1.9
Dogs
For deep sedation and analgesia with butorphanol
For premedication prior to general anaesthesia
Weight
Dexmedetomidine 300 mcg/m2 intramuscularly
Dexmedetomidine 125 mcg/m2 intramuscularly
Dexmedetomidine 375 mcg/m2 intramuscularly
(kg)
(mcg/kg)
(ml)
(mcg/kg)
(ml)
(mcg/kg)
(ml)
2-3
24
0.12
9.4
0.04
28.1
0.12
3-4
23
0.16
8.3
0.05
25
0.15
4-5
22.2
0.2
7.7
0.07
23
0.2
5-10
16.7
0.25
6.5
0.1
19.6
0.29
10-13
13
0.3
5.6
0.13
16.8
0.38
13-15
12.5
0.35
5.2
0.15
15.7
0.44
15-20
11.4
0.4
4.9
0.17
14.6
0.51
20-25
11.1
0.5
4.5
0.2
13.4
0.6
25-30
10
0.55
4.2
0.23
12.6
0.69
30-33
9.5
0.6
4
0.25
12
0.75
33-37
9.3
0.65
3.9
0.27
11.6
0.81
37-45
8.5
0.7
3.7
0.3
11
0.9
45-50
8.4
0.8
3.5
0.33
10.5
0.99
50-55
8.1
0.85
3.4
0.35
10.1
1.06
55-60
7.8
0.9
3.3
0.38
9.8
1.13
60-65
7.6
0.95
3.2
0.4
9.5
1.19
65-70
7.4
1
3.1
0.42
9.3
1.26
70-80
7.3
1.1
3
0.45
9
1.35
>80
7
1.2
2.9
0.47
8.7
1.42
CATS:
The dosage for cats is 40 micrograms dexmedetomidine hydrochloride/ kg bw equal to a dose volume 0.08 ml Dexdomitor/ kg bw when used for non-invasive, mildly to moderately painful procedures requiring restraint, sedation and analgesia. When dexmedetomidine is used for premedication in cats, the same dose is used. Anaesthesia can be induced 10 minutes after premedication by intramuscular administration of a target dose of 5 mg ketamine/ kg bw. Dosing for cats is presented in the following table.
Cats
For single-use sedation and analgesia or for premedication
Weight
Dexmedetomidine 40 mcg/kg intramuscularly
(kg)
(mcg/kg)
(ml)
2-3
40
0.2
3-4
40
0.3
4-6
40
0.4
6-7
40
0.5
7-8
40
0.6
8-10
40
0.7
The expected sedative and analgesic effects are reached within 15 minutes after administration and are maintained up to 60 minutes after administration.
           
 
        PreviousNext
  Date updated: 13 October 2008