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ACEPROMAZINE

(For veterinary information only)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please tell the veterinarian if your pet is on any other medications, since acepromazine can be dangerous in combination with other medications.

As with all medications, it is extremely important that this medication be used ONLY for the pet for which it is prescribed.

BRAND NAME:  ATRAVET®

HOW THIS MEDICATION IS USED

Acepromazine is a phenothiazine tranquilizer.  Although acepromazine has several actions that are useful, it is mostly used as a sedative.  Strong anti-nauseant properties make this medication an excellent choice for traveling pets prone to both anxiety and motion sickness.

Acepromazine also can stabilize the rhythm of the heart in certain situations. This is especially helpful for highly sensitive patients who get so frightened they can actually suffer a "heart attack" from fear. Acepromazine not only allays the fear through sedation but helps keeps the heart rhythm stable.

Acepromazine is commonly used to prepare animals for general anesthesia.

In summary, acepromazine is used for:

• Sedation
• Motion sickness
• Alleviating Fear

SIDE EFFECTS

Acepromazine is a long lasting sedative. It may be expected to last 6-8 hours.

In extremely rare instances, some pets exhibit aggressive behaviour as a reaction to acepromazine.

Acepromazine drops blood pressure by dilating blood vessels.

INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER DRUGS

Acepromazine should not be used with organophosphate insecticides. This type of insecticide is not commonly used anymore but might be expected in flea collars and in outdoor flea treatment products. If you are not sure if an insecticide is organophosphate based, please ask your veterinarian.

Giving acepromazine in conjunction with antacids will decrease the effect of acepromazine.

The use of acepromazine in conjunction with quinidine (a heart medication) could lead to adverse heart reactions.

The effects of acepromazine are additive with other sedative medications and therefore should not be used together.

CONCERNS AND CAUTIONS

• Tablets should be stored where they are not exposed to light.
   
• Acepromazine is not consistently absorbed into the body when given orally. This means that some pets are hardly tranquilized while others are heavily sedated. More consistent results are obtained with the injectable product.
   
• Acepromazine is best not used in patients where circulation is in question. Acepromazine dilates blood vessels which leads to a drop in blood pressure.  Injured patients or patients in shock should not have this medication.
   
• Acepromazine should not be used in patients with seizure disorders. Acepromazine lowers the threshold to seizures. This is not important in normal patients but could be important in epileptic pets.
   
• Acepromazine should not be used in anemic patients. By dilating the blood vessels in the spleen, acepromazine use leads to increased red blood cell storage in the spleen, leading to an approximately 5% drop in red cell count. This is not important in normal pets but if there has already been a blood loss this drop in red cell count could be significant.
   
• Acepromazine should not be used in patients with known liver disease. Acepromazine is removed from the body by the liver and if the liver is not working, tranquilization can be markedly prolonged.

• It is prudent to avoid acepromazine use in Boxers, who appear to be sensitive to it.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 672-7800.

Disclaimer: While Camrose Animal Clinic has endeavoured to make sure the information contained in this document is accurate, The Camrose Animal Clinic cannot guarantee the accuracy of such information, and it is provided without warranty or guarantee of any kind.  This information is not intended to replace the advice of your pet’s own veterinarian.  .  This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medication or interactions with other medications. Ask your veterinarian or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

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