Target species
Horses (non-food producing horses).
Indications for use, specifying the target species
Mepivacaine is indicated for infiltration, nerve block, intra-articular and epidural anaesthesia in non-food producing horses.
Contraindications
Do not use in case of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
Special warnings for each target species
None.
Special precautions for use
Special precautions for use in animals
Aspirate prior to and during administration to avoid intra-vascular injection. The analgesic effect of mepivacaine, when used as part of a lameness investigation, begins to subside after 45-60 minutes. However, sufficient analgesia may persist to effect gait beyond two hours.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
People with known hypersensitivity to mepivacaine or other local anaesthetics of the amide group should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product. This product may be irritant to the skin and eyes. Avoid contact with the skin and eyes. Wash any splashes from skin and eyes immediately with plenty of water. Seek medical advice if irritation persists. Adverse effects on the foetus cannot be excluded. Pregnant women should avoid handling the product. Care should be taken to avoid accidental self-injection. In case of accidental self-injection seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician. Wash hands after use.
Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)
Transient, local soft tissue swelling may occur in a small proportion of cases following injection of the product. In case of inadvertent intra-vascular injection or excessive use local anaesthetics can cause systemic toxicity characterised by CNS effects. If systemic toxicity occurs the administration of oxygen to treat cardio-respiratory depression and diazepam to control convulsions should be considered.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation. Mepivacaine crosses the placenta. There is no evidence that mepivacaine is associated with reproductive toxicity or teratogenic effects. However, there is a potential for anaesthetics of the amide group such as mepivacaine to accumulate in the equine foetus resulting in neonatal depression and interfering with resuscitation efforts. Therefore, use in obstetric anaesthesia only according to the benefit/risk assessment of the responsible veterinarian
Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
Full aseptic precautions should be observed when injecting the product.
For infiltration:As required but as a guide 2-5 ml.
For nerve block: 2-10 ml depending on location.
For intra-articular anaesthesia: 5 ml.
For epidural anaesthesia:4-10 ml depending on the depth and extent of anaesthesia required.
In all instances the dosage should be kept to the minimum required to produce the desired effect. The depth and extent of anaesthesia should be determined by pressure with a blunt point, such as the tip of a ball point pen, before commencing manipulations. The duration of action is about 1 hour. It is recommended that the skin should be shaved and thoroughly disinfected prior to the intra-articular or epidural administration.
This product does not contain an antimicrobial preservative. Use the vial on one occasion only. Discard any unused material.
Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary
Symptoms related to overdose correlate with symptoms occurring after inadvertent intravascular injection as described under adverse reactions.
Withdrawal period(s)
Not to be used in horses intended for human consumption. Treated horses may never be slaughtered for human consumption. The horse must have been declared as not intended for human consumption under national horse passport legislation. Not authorised for use in horses producing milk for human consumption.