Target species
Dogs and cats.
Indications for use, specifying the target species
Atipamezole hydrochloride is indicated for reversal of the sedative effects and cardiovascular effects after use of alpha-2- agonists like medetomidine and dexmedetomidine in dogs and cats.
Contraindications
Do not use in:
- Breeding animals
- Animals suffering from liver-, renal or cardiac diseases
Special warnings for each target species
Make sure the animal has regained a normal swallowing reflex before any food or drink is offered.
Special precautions for use
Special precautions for use in animals
After administration of the product, the animals should be allowed to rest in a quiet place. During recovery time animals should not be left unattended.
Due to different dosing recommendations caution should be taken if using the Product off-label in animals other than the target species.
If other sedatives than medetomidine are given it must be kept in mind that the effects of those other agents may persist after reversal of (dex)medetomidine.
Atipamezole does not reverse the effect of ketamine, which may cause seizures in dogs and elicit cramps in cats when used alone. Do not use atipamezole earlier than 30-40 minutes after concomitant administration of ketamine.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
Due to the potent pharmacological activity of atipamezole, skin-, eye- and mucous membrane-contact with this product should be avoided. In case of accidental spillage wash the affected area immediately with clean running water. Seek medical attention if irritation persists. Remove contaminated clothes that are in direct contact with the skin.
Care should be taken to avoid accidental ingestion or self-injection. In case of accidental ingestion or self-injection occurs, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet to the physician.”
Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)
A transient hypotensive effect has been observed during the first 10 minutes post-injection of atipamezole hydrochloride. In rare cases hyperactivity, tachycardia, salivation, atypical vocalization, muscle tremor, vomiting, increased respiratory rate, uncontrolled urination and uncontrolled defecation may occur.
In very rare cases recurrence of sedation may occur or the recovery time may not be shortened after administration of atipamezole.
In cats, when using low doses to partially reverse the effects of medetomidine or dexmedetomidine, the possibility of hypothermia (even when aroused from sedation) should be guarded against.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals displaying adverse reaction(s) during the course of one treatment)
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals, including isolated reports).”
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation.
The product should not be administered to pregnant and lactating bitches and queens
Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
A simultaneous administration of atipamezole with other centrally acting medicinal products such as diazepam, acepromazine or opiates is not recommended.
Amount to be administered and administration route
For single intramuscular use.
Atipamezole hydrochloride is administered 15-60 min after medetomidine or dexmedetomidine hydrochloride administration.
Dogs: the intramuscular atipamezole hydrochloride dose [in µg] is five times that of the previous medetomidine hydrochloride dose or ten times that of the dexmedetomidine hydrochloride dose. Due to the 5-fold higher concentration of the active ingredient (atipamezole hydrochloride) in this product compared to that of preparations containing 1 mg medetomidine hydrochloride per ml and the 10-fold higher concentration compared to that of preparations containing 0.5 mg dexmedetomidine hydrochloride, an equal volume of each preparation is required.
Dosage example Dogs:
Medetomidine 1 mg/ml solution for injection dosage | Narcostop 5 mg/ml solution for injection for dogs dosage |
0.04 ml/kg body weight (bw), i.e. 40 μg/kg bw | 0.04 ml/kg bw, i.e. 200 μg/kg bw |
Dexmedetomidine 0.5 mg/ml solution for injection dosage | Narcostop 5 mg/ml solution for injection for dogs dosage |
0.04 ml/kg body weight (bw), i.e. 20 μg/kg | 0.04 ml/kg bw, i.e. 200 μg/kg bw |
Cats: the intramuscular atipamezole hydrochloride dose [in µg] is two-and-a-half times that of the previous medetomidine hydrochloride dose or five times that of the dexmedetomidine hydrochloride dose. Due to the 5-fold higher concentration of the active ingredient (atipamezole hydrochloride) in this product compared to that of preparations containing 1 mg medetomidine hydrochloride per ml and the 10-fold higher concentration compared to that of preparations containing 0.5 mg dexmedetomidine hydrochloride, half the volume of the product to that of the previously administered medetomidine or dexmedetomidine should be given.
Dosage example Cats:
Medetomidine 1 mg/ml solution for injection dosage | Narcostop 5 mg/ml solution for injection for cats dosage |
0.08 ml/kg body weight (bw), i.e. 80 μg/kg bw | 0.04 ml/kg bw, i.e. 200 μg/kg bw |
Dexmedetomidine 0.5 mg/ml solution for injection dosage | Narcostop 5 mg/ml solution for injection for cats dosage |
0.08 ml/kg body weight (bw), i.e. 40 μg/kg bw | 0.04 ml/kg bw, i.e. 200 μg/kg bw |
The recovery time is shortened to approximately 5 minutes. The animal becomes mobile after approximately 10 minutes after administration of the product.
Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary
Overdose of atipamezole hydrochloride may result in transient tachycardia and over-alertness (hyperactivity, muscle tremor). If necessary, these symptoms may be reversed by a (dex)medetomidine hydrochloride dose which is lower than the usually used clinical dose.
If atipamezole hydrochloride is inadvertently administered to an animal not previously treated with (dex)medetomidine hydrochloride, hyperactivity and muscle tremor may occur. These effects may persist for about 15 minutes. Over-alertness in the cat is best handled by minimizing external stimuli.
Withdrawal periods
Not applicable.