MDose · Veterinary drug reference
ACEPROMAZINE
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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
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Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications6
Restraint aid, antiemetic (motion sickness), preanesthetic
DogCatOn-label (ON_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Restraint aid, antiemetic (motion sickness), preanesthetic — Authorized (FDA)
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Restraint aid, antiemetic (motion sickness), preanesthetic — Authorized (FDA)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Sedation/restraint (see pearls: stallion penile-prolapse + intra-arterial risks)
HorseExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Sedation/restraint (see pearls: stallion penile-prolapse + intra-arterial risks) — Extra-label
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Tranquilizer/restraint (pregnant jills safe per Finkler; watch hypothermia/hypotension)
RabbitFerretExotic / small mammalExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)3 source records · View provenance
- Rabbit · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Tranquilizer/restraint (pregnant jills safe per Finkler; watch hypothermia/hypotension) — Extra-label
- Ferret · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Tranquilizer/restraint (pregnant jills safe per Finkler; watch hypothermia/hypotension) — Extra-label
- Exotic / small mammal · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Tranquilizer/restraint (pregnant jills safe per Finkler; watch hypothermia/hypotension) — Extra-label
- Rabbit · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens5
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects207
Hypotension — Well-described, dose-related
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Bradycardia, transient sinoatrial arrest — Common
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Penile prolapse — Can persist ~2h, risk of permanent injury if untreated
HorseNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
↓ tear production — Documented
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Prolapse of nictitans — Reported
DogHorseNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Vomiting281 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')186 reports
- Death178 reports
- Diarrhoea127 reports
- Anorexia126 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS122 reports
- Death by euthanasia119 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)96 reports
- Bradycardia95 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS95 reports
- Seizure NOS92 reports
- Emesis84 reports
Cat
- Death121 reports
- Behavioural disorder NOS60 reports
- Cardiac arrest42 reports
- Anorexia39 reports
- Ataxia38 reports
- Fever34 reports
- Vomiting34 reports
- Death by euthanasia33 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')32 reports
- Dilated pupils31 reports
- Recovery prolonged31 reports
- Apnoea30 reports
Monitoring1
Blood pressure, heart rate/rhythm, level of sedation
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Do not give intra-arterially (horses — CNS excitement, seizures, death)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions4
Cardiac disease, hypovolemia/shock, hepatic dysfunction; tetanus/strychnine toxicity (extrapyramidal interaction); MDR1-mutant dogs — reduce dose 25–50%; giant breeds/sighthounds more sensitive, terriers relatively resistant
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
No analgesic effect — never rely on it alone for painful procedures.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Never treat acepromazine-induced hypotension with epinephrine — it will worsen hypotension via unopposed beta effects; use phenylephrine or fluids instead.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Cannot always be relied upon as a sole restraint agent — effect can be overridden by strong stimuli, and it may increase startle/reactivity in aggressive dogs.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions6
Epinephrine, ephedrine — Unopposed beta effects → vasodilation, tachycardia — avoid epinephrine for acepromazine-induced hypotension
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Organophosphates — Do not use within 1 month of OP deworming — potentiation risk
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Opiates — ↑ hypotensive effect — reduce acepromazine dose when combined
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metoclopramide — ↑ extrapyramidal effect risk
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Propranolol, quinidine — ↑ levels of both / additive cardiac depression
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics4
Protein binding — >99%
HorseNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Half-life — ~3h
HorseNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Hepatic
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Elimination — Renal (conjugated + unconjugated metabolites)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Human FDA category C (phenothiazines). Papich canine/feline pregnancy class B (safe if used cautiously, avoid near term).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 19–22; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 1–3 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references20
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Hemodynamic responses to intravenous maropitant in anesthetized dogs depend on premedication protocol.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Physiological Responses and Safety Evaluation of Combined Fremont™ Snare and Medetomidine-Ketamine-Acepromazine Immobilization in Free-Ranging Apennine Wolves (Canis lupus italicus).
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Comparison of the Sedative and Cardiovascular Effects of Azaperone and Acepromazine in Dogs.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Erector spinae plane block reduces intraoperative nociception in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy: A randomised clinical trial.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Severe bradycardia and asystole in a dog after intravenous metoclopramide injection.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.
Available products
Products listed in the Health Canada Drug Product Database for this active ingredient. A listing does not establish that a product is authorized for the clinical uses described on this page.