Target species
Dogs and cats.
Indications for use
Non-invasive, mildly to moderately painful, procedures and examinations which require restraint, sedation and analgesia in dogs and cats.
Deep sedation and analgesia in dogs in concomitant use with butorphanol for medical and minor surgical procedures.
Premedication in dogs and cats before induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia.
Contraindications
Do not use in animals with cardiovascular disorders.
Do not use in animals with severe systemic disease or in animals that are moribund.
Do not use in case of known hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
Special warnings for each target species
The administration of dexmedetomidine to puppies younger than 16 weeks and kittens younger than 12 weeks has not been studied.
Special precautions for use in animals
Treated animals should be kept warm and at a constant temperature, both during the procedure and recovery.
It is recommended that animals are fasted for 12 hours prior to Sedadex administration. Water may be given.
After treatment, the animal should not be given water or food before it is able to swallow.
Corneal opacities may occur during sedation. The eyes should be protected by a suitable eye lubricant. To be used with precaution in elderly animals.
The safety of dexmedetomidine has not been established in males intended for breeding.
Nervous, aggressive or excited animals should be given the possibility to calm down before initiation of treatment.
Frequent and regular monitoring of respiratory and cardiac function should be performed. Pulse oximetry may be useful but is not essential for adequate monitoring. Equipment for manual ventilation should be available in case of respiratory depression or apnoea when dexmedetomidine and ketamine are used sequentially to induce anaesthesia in cats. It is also advisable to have oxygen readily available, should hypoxaemia be detected or suspected.
Sick and debilitated dogs and cats should only be premedicated with dexmedetomidine before induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia based on a risk-benefit assessment.
Use of dexmedetomidine as a premedicant in dogs and cats significantly reduces the amount of induction medicinal product required for induction of anaesthesia. Attention should be given during the administration of intravenous induction medicinal products to effect. Volatile anaesthetic requirements for maintenance anaesthesia are also reduced.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
Dexmedetomidine is a sedative and sleep inducing drug. Care should be taken to avoid self-injection. In case of accidental oral intake or self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the package insert to the physician but DO NOT DRIVE as sedation and changes in blood pressure may occur.
Pregnant women should administer the product with special caution to avoid self-injection since uterine contractions and decreased foetal blood pressure may occur after accidental systemic exposure.
Avoid skin, eye or mucosal contact; the use of impermeable gloves is advisable. In case of skin or mucosal contact, wash the exposed skin immediately after exposure with large amounts of water and remove contaminated clothes that are in direct contact with skin. In case of eye contact, rinse abundantly with fresh water. If symptoms occur, seek the advice of a physician.
People with known hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients should administer the veterinary medicinal product with caution.
Advice to physicians: Sedadex is an α2-adrenoreceptor agonist, symptoms after absorption may involve clinical effects including dose-dependent sedation, respiratory depression, bradycardia, hypotension, a dry mouth, and hyperglycaemia. Ventricular arrhythmias have also been reported. Respiratory and haemodynamic symptoms should be treated symptomatically. The specific α2-adrenoceptor antagonist, atipamezole, which is approved for use in animals, has been used in humans only experimentally to antagonize dexmedetomidine-induced effects.
Adverse reactions
Adverse reactions in dogs and cats:
Pulmonary oedema has been reported rarely.
Corneal opacities during sedation may occur (see also Special precautions for use in animals).
By virtue of its α2-adrenergic activity, dexmedetomidine causes a decrease in heart rate and body temperature, which has been reported very rarely in spontaneous reports.
Bradypnoea has been reported very rarely in spontaneous reports.
Blood pressure will increase initially and then return to normal or below normal.
Due to peripheral vasoconstriction and venous desaturation in the presence of normal arterial oxygenation, the mucous membranes may appear pale and/or with a blue tinge. Pale mucous membranes have been reported very rarely in spontaneous reports.
Vomiting has been reported very rarely in spontaneous reports. Vomiting may occur 5-10 minutes after injection, some dogs and cats may also vomit at the time of recovery.
Muscle tremors during sedation have been reported very rarely in spontaneous reports.
When dexmedetomidine and butorphanol are used concomitantly in dogs, bradypnoea, tachypnoea, an irregular respiratory pattern (20-30 sec apnoea followed by several rapid breaths), hypoxaemia, muscle twitch or tremor or paddling, excitation, hypersalivation, retching, vomiting, urination, skin erythema, a sudden arousal or prolonged sedation may occur. Brady- and tachyarrhythmias, which may include profound sinus bradycardia, 1st and 2nd degree AV-block, sinus arrest or pause, as well as atrial, supraventricular and ventricular premature complexes, have been reported.
When dexmedetomidine is used as a premedicant in dogs, bradypnoea, tachypnoea and vomiting may occur. Brady- and tachyarrhythmias, including profound sinus bradycardia, 1st and 2nd degree AV-block and sinus arrest have been reported. Supraventricular and ventricular premature complexes, sinus pause and 3rd degree AV-block may be observed in rare cases.
When dexmedetomidine and ketamine are used sequentially, with a 10-minute interval, AV-block or extrasystole may occasionally be experienced by cats. Bradypnoea, intermittent respiratory patterns, hypoventilation, apnoea, vomiting, hypothermia and nervousness have also been reported after such use. Hypoxaemia was commonly reported in clinical trials, especially within the 15 first minutes into dexmedetomidine-ketamine anaesthesia.
When dexmedetomidine is used as a premedicant in cats, vomiting, retching, pale mucous membranes, and low body temperature may occur. Intramuscular dosing at 40 micrograms/kg (followed by ketamine or propofol) frequently resulted in sinus bradycardia and sinus arrhythmia, occasionally resulted in 1st degree atrioventricular block, and rarely resulted in supraventricular premature depolarisations, atrial bigeminy, sinus pauses, 2nd degree atrioventricular block, or escape beats/rhythms.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).
Use during pregnancy and lactation
The safety of dexmedetomidine has not been established during pregnancy and lactation in the target species. Therefore the use of the product during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended.
Interactions
The use of other central nervous system depressants is expected to potentiate the effects of dexmedetomidine and therefore an appropriate dose adjustment should be made. Anticholinergics should be used with caution with dexmedetomidine.
Administration of atipamezole after dexmedetomidine rapidly reverses the effects and thus shortens the recovery period. Within 15 minutes dogs and cats are normally awake and standing.
Cats: After administration of 40 micrograms dexmedetomidine/kg body weight intramuscularly concurrently with 5 mg ketamine/kg body weight to cats, the maximum concentration of dexmedetomidine increased twofold but there was no effect on Tmax. The mean half-life of elimination of dexmedetomidine increased to 1.6 hours and the total exposure (AUC) increased by 50%.
A dose of 10 mg ketamine/kg used concurrently with 40 micrograms dexmedetomidine/kg may cause tachycardia.
Atipamezole does not reverse the effect of ketamine.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
The veterinary medicinal product is intended for:
Dogs: intravenous or intramuscular use
Cats: intramuscular use
The veterinary medicinal product is not intended for repeat injections.
Dexmedetomidine, butorphanol and/or ketamine can be mixed in the same syringe as they have been shown to be pharmaceutically compatible.
The following doses are recommended:
Dogs:
Dexmedetomidine doses are based on body surface area:
For non-invasive, mildly to moderately painful procedures and examinations requiring restraint, sedation and analgesia:
Intravenously: up to 375 micrograms/square metre body surface area.
Intramuscularly: up to 500 micrograms/square metre body surface area.
When administering in conjunction with butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg) for deep sedation and analgesia, the intramuscular dose of dexmedetomidine 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 after administration. 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 dose 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 0.5–4 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.
For non-invasive, mildly to moderately painful procedures and examinations requiring restraint, sedation and analgesia and for premedication |
Dog Weight | Dexmedetomidine 125 micrograms/m2 | Dexmedetomidine 375 micrograms/m2 | Dexmedetomidine 500 micrograms/m2* |
(kg) | (mcg/kg) | (ml) | (mcg/kg) | (ml) | (mcg/kg) | (ml) |
2-3 | 9.4 | 0.04 | 28.1 | 0.12 | 40 | 0.15 |
3.1-4 | 8.3 | 0.05 | 25 | 0.17 | 35 | 0.2 |
4.1-5 | 7.7 | 0.07 | 23 | 0.2 | 30 | 0.3 |
5.1-10 | 6.5 | 0.1 | 19.6 | 0.29 | 25 | 0.4 |
10.1-13 | 5.6 | 0.13 | 16.8 | 0.38 | 23 | 0.5 |
13.1-15 | 5.2 | 0.15 | 15.7 | 0.44 | 21 | 0.6 |
15.1-20 | 4.9 | 0.17 | 14.6 | 0.51 | 20 | 0.7 |
20.1-25 | 4.5 | 0.2 | 13.4 | 0.6 | 18 | 0.8 |
25.1-30 | 4.2 | 0.23 | 12.6 | 0.69 | 17 | 0.9 |
30.1-33 | 4 | 0.25 | 12 | 0.75 | 16 | 1.0 |
33.1-37 | 3.9 | 0.27 | 11.6 | 0.81 | 15 | 1.1 |
37.1-45 | 3.7 | 0.3 | 11 | 0.9 | 14.5 | 1.2 |
45.1-50 | 3.5 | 0.33 | 10.5 | 0.99 | 14 | 1.3 |
50.1-55 | 3.4 | 0.35 | 10.1 | 1.06 | 13.5 | 1.4 |
55.1-60 | 3.3 | 0.38 | 9.8 | 1.13 | 13 | 1.5 |
60.1-65 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 9.5 | 1.19 | 12.8 | 1.6 |
65.1-70 | 3.1 | 0.42 | 9.3 | 1.26 | 12.5 | 1.7 |
70.1-80 | 3 | 0.45 | 9 | 1.35 | 12.3 | 1.8 |
>80 | 2.9 | 0.47 | 8.7 | 1.42 | 12 | 1.9 |
*only IM Table Wide |
For deep sedation and analgesia with butorphanol |
Dog Weight | Dexmedetomidine 300 micrograms/m2 intramuscularly |
(kg) | (mcg/kg) | (ml) |
2-3 | 24 | 0.12 |
3.1-4 | 23 | 0.16 |
4.1-5 | 22.2 | 0.2 |
5.1-10 | 16.7 | 0.25 |
10.1-13 | 13 | 0.3 |
13.1-15 | 12.5 | 0.35 |
15.1-20 | 11.4 | 0.4 |
20.1-25 | 11.1 | 0.5 |
25.1-30 | 10 | 0.55 |
30.1-33 | 9.5 | 0.6 |
33.1-37 | 9.3 | 0.65 |
37.1-45 | 8.5 | 0.7 |
45.1-50 | 8.4 | 0.8 |
50.1-55 | 8.1 | 0.85 |
55.1-60 | 7.8 | 0.9 |
60.1-65 | 7.6 | 0.95 |
65.1-70 | 7.4 | 1 |
70.1-80 | 7.3 | 1.1 |
>80 | 7 | 1.2 |
Cats:
The dose for cats is 40 micrograms dexmedetomidine hydrochloride/kg body weight equal to a dose volume of 0.08 ml Sedadex/kg body weight 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. Premedication with dexmedetomidine will significantly reduce the dose of the induction agent required and will reduce volatile anaesthetic requirements for maintenance anaesthesia. In a clinical study, the requirement for propofol was reduced by 50%. All anaesthetic agents used for induction or maintenance of anaesthesia should be administered to effect.
Anaesthesia can be induced 10 minutes after premedication by intramuscular administration of a target dose of 5 mg ketamine/kg body weight or by intravenous administration of propofol to effect. Dosing for cats is presented in the following table:
Cat Weight | Dexmedetomidine 40 micrograms/kg intramuscularly |
(kg) | (mcg/kg) | (ml) |
1-2 | 40 | 0.1 |
2.1-3 | 40 | 0.2 |
3.1-4 | 40 | 0.3 |
4.1-6 | 40 | 0.4 |
6.1-7 | 40 | 0.5 |
7.1-8 | 40 | 0.6 |
8.1-10 | 40 | 0.7 |
Dogs and cats:
The expected sedative and analgesic effects are reached within 15 minutes after administration and are maintained up to 60 minutes after administration. Sedation may be reversed with atipamezole (see Overdose). Atipamezole should not be administered prior to 30 minutes following ketamine administration.
Overdose
Dogs:
In cases of overdose, or if the effects of dexmedetomidine become potentially life-threatening, the appropriate dose of atipamezole is 10 times the initial dose of dexmedetomidine (micrograms/kg body weight or micrograms/square meter body surface area). The dose volume of atipamezole at the concentration of 5 mg/ml equals the dose volume of Sedadex 0.5 mg/ml that was given to the dog, regardless of route of administration of Sedadex.
Cats:
In cases of overdose, or if the effects of dexmedetomidine become potentially life-threatening, the appropriate antagonist is atipamezole, administered by intramuscular injection, at the following dose: 5 times the initial dose of dexmedetomidine in micrograms/kg body weight. The dose volume of atipamezole at the concentration of 5 mg/ml is one-half the volume of Sedadex 0.5 mg/ml that was given to the cat.
After concurrent exposure to an overdose of dexmedetomidine (3 times the recommended dose) and 15 mg ketamine/kg, atipamezole can be administered at the recommended dose level for reversal of effects induced by dexmedetomidine.