Before using any combination read the contra-indications and warnings appearing on the other product’s information sheets (datasheet, Summary of the Product Characteristics (SPC) or package leaflet).
Do not use with sympathomimetic amines.
Do not use in the last 3 months of pregnancy. Use only according to a benefit/risk assessment by the responsible veterinary surgeon during the other months of pregnancy.
Do not use with potentiated sulphonamide drugs.
Do not mix with other products.
Do not use in horses with cardiac abnormalities (including pre-existing AV blocks and coronary insufficiency) or respiratory disease.
Do not use in horses with liver insufficiency or renal failure.
Do not use in horses with general health problems (eg dehydration).
Do not use in combination with butorphanol in horses suffering from colic.
Do not offer food or water until drug effect has passed.
Use with care with other sedatives and anaesthetics because of an additive/synergistic effect.
Detomidine should not be used in combination with sympathomimetic amines such as adrenaline, dobutamine and ephedrine.
Administration of Equimidine may cause the following side effects: bradycardia, transient hypo- and/or hypertension, respiratory depression, rarely hyperventilation, increase in blood glucose, sweating, ataxia, uterine contractions cardiac arrhythmia, atrioventricular and sino-atrial block. As with other sedatives, in rare cases paradoxical reactions (excitations) can develop.
At doses above 40 mcg/kg bodyweight sweating, pilo-erection, muscle tremors and transient penis prolapse has been observed.
In very rare cases, horses may show mild symptoms of colic following administration of alpha-2 sympathomimetics, as these substances transiently inhibit intestinal mobility. Detomidine should be used with caution in horses which present with signs of colic or impaction.
A diuretic effect is usually observed within 45 to 60 minutes of treatment.
Equimidine with butorphanol for sedation: Do not use in horses with a history of liver disease. This combination should not be used in pregnant mares or in animals suffering from colic. Routine cardiac auscultation should be performed prior to use of this combination. Do not use in horses with pre-existing cardiac dysrhythmia or bradycardia. Mild to severe ataxia may be encountered but clinical studies have shown that horses are unlikely to collapse. Normal precautions should be taken to prevent patient self injury.
Equimidine with ketamine (short duration anaesthesia): Allow sedation to develop. The two agents should never be co-administered in the same syringe. It is recommended that feed is withdrawn for at least 12 hours prior to anaesthesia. Excitable horses can be poor subjects for anaesthesia. Considerate, quiet and careful handling during the administration of agents is necessary to cause the minimum upset possible. If sedation with Equimidine fails to occur then the procedure should be abandoned. In these circumstances ketamine must not be injected into the horse.
Withdrawal period
Meat and offal: 2 days.
Milk: 12 hours.
Operator Warnings
In the case of accidental oral intake or self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet to the physician but DO NOT DRIVE as sedation and changes in blood pressure may occur.
Avoid skin, eye or mucosal contact. The use of impermeable gloves is advisable especially in the case of damaged skin.
Immediately after exposure wash the exposed skin with large amounts of fresh water.
Remove contaminated clothes that are in direct contact with the skin.
In the case of accidental contact of the product with eyes, rinse with large amounts of fresh water. If symptoms occur, seek the advice of a doctor.
If pregnant women handle the product, special caution should be observed not to self-inject as uterine contractions and decreased foetal blood pressure may occur after accidental systemic exposure.
ADVICE TO DOCTORS: Detomidine is an alpha-2-adrenoreceptor agonist. Symptoms after absorption may involve clinical effects including dose-dependent sedation, respiratory depression, bradycardia and hypotension, a dry mouth and hyperglycaemia. Ventricular arrhythmias have also been reported. Respiratory and haemodynamic symptoms should be treated symptomatically.