Alfaxan Multidose 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs, Cats and Pet Rabbits
Active ingredient: Alfaxalone
Form
Injection
Species
Manufacturer
Zoetis UK Limited
VMD MA No.
42058/5192
What it's used for
As a sole anaesthetic agent for the induction and maintenance of anaesthesia for the performance of examination or surgical procedures in dogs and cats. AN...
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Alfaxan Multidose 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs, Cats and Pet Rabbits — SPC Details
Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.
performance of examination or surgical procedures in dogs and cats.
AN: 00054/2025Page 2 of 9
The induction dose of the veterinary medicinal product is based on data taken from
controlled laboratory and field studies and is the amount of drug required for 9 of 10
patients (i.e. 90th percentile) to be successfully induced for anaesthesia.
Dosing recommendations for induction of anaesthesia are as follows:
DOGS
CATS
PET
RABBITS
Un-premedicatedPremedicatedUn-premedicatedPremedicatedUn-premedicatedPremedicatedmg/kg325554ml/kg0.30.20.50.50.50.4
In dogs, cats and rabbits, an intravenous catheter should be used to administer the
veterinary medicinal product (please refer to sections 3.5 and 3.6).
The dosing syringe should be prepared to contain the above dose. Administration
should continue until the clinician is satisfied that the depth of anaesthesia is
sufficient for endotracheal intubation, or until the entire dose has been
administered. The necessary injection rate can be achieved by administration of
one quarter (¼) of the calculated dose every 15 seconds, so that the total dose, if
required, would be administered over the first 60 seconds. If, 60 seconds after
complete delivery of this first induction dose, intubation is still not possible, one
further similar dose may be administered to effect.
Maintenance of anaesthesia (dogs and cats):
Following induction of anaesthesia with the veterinary medicinal product, the animal
may be intubated and maintained on the veterinary medicinal product or an
inhalation anaesthetic agent. Maintenance doses of the veterinary medicinal
product may be given as supplemental boluses or as constant rate infusion. The
veterinary medicinal product has been used safely and effectively in dogs and cats
for procedures lasting for up to one hour. The following doses suggested for
maintenance of anaesthesia are based on data taken from controlled laboratory
and field studies and represent the average amount of drug required to provide
maintenance anaesthesia for a dog or cat. However, the actual dose will be based
on the response of the individual patient.
AN: 00054/2025Page 7 of 9
Dosing recommendations for maintenance of anaesthesia are as follows:
DOGS
CATS
Un-premedicated Premedicated Un-
premedicated
Premedicated
Dose for constant rate infusionmg/kg/hour 8 - 9 6 - 7 10 - 11 7 - 8mg/kg/minute0.13 - 0.150.10 - 0.120.16 - 0.180.11 - 0.13ml/kg/minute0.013 - 0.0150.010 - 0.0120.016 - 0.0180.011 - 0.013 Bolus dose for each 10 minutes maintenancemg/kg1.3 - 1.51.0 - 1.21.6 - 1.81.1 - 1.3ml/kg0.13 - 0.150.10 - 0.120.16 - 0.180.11 - 0.13
Where maintenance of anaesthesia is with the veterinary medicinal product for
procedures lasting more than 5 to 10 minutes, a butterfly needle or catheter can
be left in the vein, and small amounts of the veterinary medicinal product injected
subsequently to maintain the required level and duration of anaesthesia. In most
cases the average duration of recovery when using the veterinary medicinal
product for maintenance will be longer than if using an inhalant gas as a
maintenance agent.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or any other
excipients.
Very common
(>1 animal / 10 animals treated):
Apnoea
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated,
including isolated reports):
Hyperactivity, vocalisation;
Bradycardia, cardiac arrest;
Convulsion, myoclonus, prolonged
anaesthesia, tremor;
Bradypnoea.
Observed post induction. 44% of dogs and 19% of cats experienced post-
induction apnoea in clinical studies; the mean duration of apnoea in these
animals was 100 seconds in dogs and 60 seconds in cats. Endotracheal
intubation and oxygen supplementation should therefore be employed.
Pet rabbits:
Common
(1 to 10 animals / 100 animals
treated):
Behavioural disorder
1,2
, head shake
;
Ear flapping/twitching
;
Apnoea
.
Manifested as backing away.
During intravenous (marginal ear vein) administration and, therefore,
administration of the veterinary medicinal product via a pre-placed catheter in the
marginal ear vein is recommended. Premedication may also prevent these
reactions. In a field study, these reactions were not observed when rabbits had
been premedicated with medetomidine in combination with either butorphanol or
buprenorphine.
Observed post-induction. The mean duration of apnoea in these animals
was 53 seconds. Endotracheal intubation and oxygen supplementation
should therefore be employed.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a
veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to
either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national
competent authority via the national reporting system. See package leaflet for
respective contact details.
operative analgesia should be provided in cases where procedures are anticipated to
be painful.
Special precautions for safe use in target species:
The safety of the veterinary medicinal product in animals less than 12 weeks of
age (dogs and cats) and 16 weeks of age (rabbits) has not been demonstrated.
Transient post induction apnoea frequently occurs, particularly in dogs – see
section
when used in combination with the following premedicant classes:
Drug ClassExamplesPhenothiazinesAcepromazine maleateAnticholinergic agentsAtropine sulfateBenzodiazepinesDiazepam, midazolam hydrochlorideAlpha-2-adrenoceptor agonistsXylazine hydrochloride, medetomidine hydrochlorideOpiatesMethadone, morphine sulfate, butorphanol tartrate,
buprenorphine hydrochloride
NSAIDsCarprofen, meloxicam
During clinical studies in rabbits, the veterinary medicinal product was used safely
with the following premedicant combinations: (i) medetomidine hydrochloride in
combination with buprenorphine hydrochloride or butorphanol tartrate, and (ii)
midazolam hydrochloride in combination with buprenorphine hydrochloride or
butorphanol tartrate.
The concomitant use of other CNS depressants should be expected to potentiate
the depressant effects of the veterinary medicinal product, necessitating cessation
of further administration of the veterinary medicinal product when the required
depth of anaesthesia has been reached.
The use of one premedicant or a combination of premedicants often reduces the
dose of the veterinary medicinal product required.
Premedication with alpha-2-adrenoceptor agonists such as xylazine and
medetomidine can markedly increase the duration of anaesthesia in a dose
dependent fashion. In order to shorten recovery periods it may be desirable to
reverse the actions of these premedicants.
Benzodiazepines should not be used as sole premedicants in dogs and cats as the
quality of anaesthesia in some patients may be sub-optimal. Benzodiazepines may
be used safely and effectively in combination with other premedicants and the
veterinary medicinal product.
Refer to section 3.3.
AN: 00054/2025Page 6 of 9
Keep the container in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
AN: 00054/2025Page 8 of 9
This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.
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