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Choose the species
One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
Choose one species for its overview and dose calculator, or all species to browse the full evidence.
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.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
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.
Indications2
Reversal of medetomidine/dexmedetomidine (and potentially other alpha2-agonists: xylazine, amitraz, clonidine)
DogCatOn-label (ON_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Reversal of medetomidine/dexmedetomidine (and potentially other alpha2-agonists: xylazine, amitraz, clonidine) — Authorized (Antisedan — label reversal for medetomidine)
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Reversal of medetomidine/dexmedetomidine (and potentially other alpha2-agonists: xylazine, amitraz, clonidine) — Authorized (Antisedan — label reversal for medetomidine)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens4
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 effects203
Vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, tremors, brief excitation/apprehension — Occasional
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Emergence excitation/aggression — Rapid un-sedation — protect patient and staff
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Self-injury from falling — Ataxic recovery period
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — 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
- INEFFECTIVE, REVERSAL401 reports
- Death382 reports
- Vomiting274 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS248 reports
- Bradycardia207 reports
- Diarrhoea175 reports
- Sedation prolonged156 reports
- Cardiac arrest142 reports
- Anorexia136 reports
- Injection site swelling134 reports
- Accidental exposure118 reports
- Tachycardia118 reports
Cat
- Death157 reports
- Hypersalivation157 reports
- Behavioural disorder NOS68 reports
- Dilated pupils65 reports
- Cardiac arrest63 reports
- Hypothermia63 reports
- Vocalisation62 reports
- Hyperactivity59 reports
- INEFFECTIVE, REVERSAL59 reports
- Fever58 reports
- Ataxia56 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS56 reports
Monitoring1
Sedation score, HR/RR/BP through recovery; re-sedation for 2–3 h; analgesia adequacy post-reversal
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions6
No absolute contraindications; caution in geriatric/debilitated; IV in reptiles → profound hypotension (IM only)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Reversal removes ANALGESIA too — provide alternative (butorphanol) after painful procedures
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
The volume-equals-volume rule works because Antisedan (5 mg/mL) is exactly 5× Domitor (1 mg/mL) — inject the same number of mL IM. Understand the math, don't just memorize it.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
You reverse sedation AND analgesia together — plan rescue analgesia (butorphanol/buprenorphine) before the anxiety of an awake, painful patient.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Shorter half-life than some agonists → resedation happens: keep the patient observed; redose as needed.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions2
Alpha1-blockers (prazosin) — Partial alpha1 blockade by atipamezole → additive hypotension
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Other CNS drugs — Sparse data — caution combining
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics3
Onset — Peak plasma ~10 min after IM
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Half-life — 2–3 h (dog)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Hepatic → urinary elimination
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Not recommended in pregnancy/lactation or breeding animals (no safety data).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 120–121 — 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.
- Sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of medetomidine and butorphanol, with or without vatinoxan, in puppies - randomised, blinded clinical trial.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Sedative effects of administration through the nares of dexmedetomidine, midazolam, and butorphanol in cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus): a preliminary crossover study.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- KETAMINE, MEDETOMIDINE, AND MIDAZOLAM ANESTHESIA WITH AND WITHOUT BUTORPHANOL IN SLOW LORISES (NYCTICEBUS BENGALENSIS AND XANTHONYCTICEBUS SPECIES).
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Opioid and α(2)-adrenoceptors interaction on the lethality, antinociception, antinociceptive tolerance, and precipitated withdrawal in mice treated with fentanyl and xylazine.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Medetomidine, midazolam, and butorphanol anesthesia with preoxygenation enables magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid examination in rabbits.
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.