POM-V
Prescription Required
Companion Animal
Butador 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses, Dogs and Cats
Active ingredient: Butorphanol
Form
Injection
Species
Cats
Dogs
Horses
Manufacturer
VetViva Richter GmbH
VMD MA No.
57446/5006
What it's used for
As a sedative and pre-anaesthetic In combination with α 2-adrenoceptor agonists (detomidine, romifidine, xylazine): For therapeutic and diagnostic procedur...
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Clinical information
Butador 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses, Dogs and Cats — SPC Details
Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.
As a sedative and pre-anaesthetic
In combination with α 2-adrenoceptor agonists (detomidine, romifidine, xylazine):
For therapeutic and diagnostic procedures such as minor standing surgery and
sedation of intractable patients.
Dogs, cats
As an analgesic
AN: 03233/2023 & 03234/2023Page 2 of 9
For relief of moderate visceral pain e.g. pre- and post-surgical as well as post-traumatic
pain.
As a sedative
In combination with α 2-adrenoceptor agonists (medetomidine).
As a pre-anaesthetic
Part of anaesthetic regime (medetomidine, ketamine).
In combination with α 2-adrenoceptor agonists (detomidine, romifidine, xylazine):
For therapeutic and diagnostic procedures such as minor standing surgery and
sedation of intractable patients.
Dogs, cats
As an analgesic
AN: 03233/2023 & 03234/2023Page 2 of 9
For relief of moderate visceral pain e.g. pre- and post-surgical as well as post-traumatic
pain.
As a sedative
In combination with α 2-adrenoceptor agonists (medetomidine).
As a pre-anaesthetic
Part of anaesthetic regime (medetomidine, ketamine).
Horses:Intravenous
Dogs: Intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular
Cats:Intravenous or subcutaneous
To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible.
Horses
As an analgesic
Monotherapy:
0.1 mg/kg (1 ml/100 kg bw) i.v.
As a sedative and as a pre-anaesthetic
With detomidine:
Detomidine: 0.012 mg/kg i.v., followed within 5 minutes by
Butorphanol: 0.025 mg/kg (0.25 ml /100 kg bw) i.v.
With romifidine:
Romifidine: 0.05 mg/kg i.v., followed within 5 minutes by
Butorphanol: 0.02 mg/kg (0.2 ml /100 kg bw) i.v..
With xylazine:
Xylazine: 0.5 mg/kg i.v., followed after 3 - 5 minutes by
Butorphanol: 0.05 – 0.1 mg/kg (0.5 - 1 ml /100 kg bw) i.v..
Dogs
As an analgesic
Monotherapy:
0.1 - 0.4 mg/kg (0.01 – 0.04 ml/kg bw) slowly i.v. (in the lower to medium dose range) as
well as i.m., s.c..
For post-operative pain control the injection should be administered 15 minutes before the
end of anaesthesia in order to achieve sufficient pain relief during the recovery phase.
As a sedative
With medetomidine:
Butorphanol: 0.1 mg/kg (0.01 ml/kg bw) i.v., i.m.
Medetomidine: 0.01 mg/kg i.v., i.m.
As a pre-anaesthetic
With medetomidine and ketamine:
Butorphanol: 0.1 mg/kg (0.01 ml/kg bw) i.m.
Medetomidine: 0.025 mg/kg i.m., followed after 15 minutes by
Ketamine: 5 mg/kg i.m.
It is only possible to use atipamezole 0.1 mg/kg body weight for medetomidine-
antagonisation when ketamine action has ceased.
AN: 03233/2023 & 03234/2023Page 6 of 9
Cats
As an analgesic
Monotherapy:
15 minutes prior to recovery
either: 0.4 mg/kg (0.04 ml/kg bw) s.c.
or: 0.1 mg/kg (0.01 ml/kg bw) i.v.
As a sedative
With medetomidine:
Butorphanol: 0.4 mg/kg (0.04 ml/ kg bw) s.c.
Medetomidine: 0.05 mg/kg s.c.
For wound debridement an additional local anaesthesia is recommended.
Medetomidine-antagonisation is possible with atipamezole 0.125 mg/kg body weight.
As a pre-anaesthetic
With medetomidine and ketamine:
Butorphanol: 0.1 mg/kg (0.01 ml/ kg bw) i.v.
Medetomidine: 0.04 mg/kg i.v.
Ketamine: 1.5 mg/kg i.v.
It is only possible to use atipamezole 0.1 mg/kg body weight for medetomidine–
antagonisation when ketamine action has ceased.
Butorphanol is intended for use where short (horses and dogs) and short to medium (cats)
analgesia is required. The dose may be repeated as required. The need for and timing of
repeated treatment will be based on clinical response. For information on the duration of
analgesia see section 4.2.
Rapid intravenous injection should be avoided.
The stopper must not be punctured more than 25 times.
Dogs: Intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular
Cats:Intravenous or subcutaneous
To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible.
Horses
As an analgesic
Monotherapy:
0.1 mg/kg (1 ml/100 kg bw) i.v.
As a sedative and as a pre-anaesthetic
With detomidine:
Detomidine: 0.012 mg/kg i.v., followed within 5 minutes by
Butorphanol: 0.025 mg/kg (0.25 ml /100 kg bw) i.v.
With romifidine:
Romifidine: 0.05 mg/kg i.v., followed within 5 minutes by
Butorphanol: 0.02 mg/kg (0.2 ml /100 kg bw) i.v..
With xylazine:
Xylazine: 0.5 mg/kg i.v., followed after 3 - 5 minutes by
Butorphanol: 0.05 – 0.1 mg/kg (0.5 - 1 ml /100 kg bw) i.v..
Dogs
As an analgesic
Monotherapy:
0.1 - 0.4 mg/kg (0.01 – 0.04 ml/kg bw) slowly i.v. (in the lower to medium dose range) as
well as i.m., s.c..
For post-operative pain control the injection should be administered 15 minutes before the
end of anaesthesia in order to achieve sufficient pain relief during the recovery phase.
As a sedative
With medetomidine:
Butorphanol: 0.1 mg/kg (0.01 ml/kg bw) i.v., i.m.
Medetomidine: 0.01 mg/kg i.v., i.m.
As a pre-anaesthetic
With medetomidine and ketamine:
Butorphanol: 0.1 mg/kg (0.01 ml/kg bw) i.m.
Medetomidine: 0.025 mg/kg i.m., followed after 15 minutes by
Ketamine: 5 mg/kg i.m.
It is only possible to use atipamezole 0.1 mg/kg body weight for medetomidine-
antagonisation when ketamine action has ceased.
AN: 03233/2023 & 03234/2023Page 6 of 9
Cats
As an analgesic
Monotherapy:
15 minutes prior to recovery
either: 0.4 mg/kg (0.04 ml/kg bw) s.c.
or: 0.1 mg/kg (0.01 ml/kg bw) i.v.
As a sedative
With medetomidine:
Butorphanol: 0.4 mg/kg (0.04 ml/ kg bw) s.c.
Medetomidine: 0.05 mg/kg s.c.
For wound debridement an additional local anaesthesia is recommended.
Medetomidine-antagonisation is possible with atipamezole 0.125 mg/kg body weight.
As a pre-anaesthetic
With medetomidine and ketamine:
Butorphanol: 0.1 mg/kg (0.01 ml/ kg bw) i.v.
Medetomidine: 0.04 mg/kg i.v.
Ketamine: 1.5 mg/kg i.v.
It is only possible to use atipamezole 0.1 mg/kg body weight for medetomidine–
antagonisation when ketamine action has ceased.
Butorphanol is intended for use where short (horses and dogs) and short to medium (cats)
analgesia is required. The dose may be repeated as required. The need for and timing of
repeated treatment will be based on clinical response. For information on the duration of
analgesia see section 4.2.
Rapid intravenous injection should be avoided.
The stopper must not be punctured more than 25 times.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
Do not use for treatment of animals with severe dysfunction of the liver and kidneys, in
case of cerebral injury or organic brain lesions and in animals with obstructive respiratory
diseases, heart dysfunctions or spastic conditions.
For combination use with α 2-agonists in horses:
Do not use in horses with a pre-existing cardiac dysrhythmia or bradycardia.
Do not use in cases of colic associated with impaction, as the combination will cause a
reduction in gastrointestinal motility.
Do not use combination during pregnancy.
Do not use for treatment of animals with severe dysfunction of the liver and kidneys, in
case of cerebral injury or organic brain lesions and in animals with obstructive respiratory
diseases, heart dysfunctions or spastic conditions.
For combination use with α 2-agonists in horses:
Do not use in horses with a pre-existing cardiac dysrhythmia or bradycardia.
Do not use in cases of colic associated with impaction, as the combination will cause a
reduction in gastrointestinal motility.
Do not use combination during pregnancy.
Horses:
Very common
(>1 animal / 10 animals treated):
Ataxia
, Sedation
.Undetermined frequency (cannot
be estimated from the available
data):
Involuntary movement
;
Digestive tract hypomotility
;
Respiratory depression
;
Cardiac depression.
Lasting about 3 to 15 minutes.
Mild.
Running movements.
Mild and transient. Any reduction of gastrointestinal motility caused by butorphanol may
be enhanced by the concomitant use of α 2-agonists.
The respiratory depressive effects of α 2-agonists may be enhanced by concomitant
butorphanol, particularly if respiratory function is already impaired.
AN: 03233/2023 & 03234/2023Page 4 of 9
Dogs:
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000 animals
treated):
Ataxia;
Anorexia;
Diarrhoea.
Undetermined frequency (cannot
be estimated from the available
data):
Respiratory depression;
Cardiac depression;
Injection site pain
;
Digestive tract hypomotility.
Associated with intramuscular administration.
Cats:
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000 animals
treated):
Ataxia;
Anorexia;
Diarrhoea.
Undetermined frequency (cannot
be estimated from the available
data):
Respiratory depression;
Cardiac depression;
Injection site pain
;
Digestive tract hypomotility;
Excitation, Anxiety;
Sedation, Mydriasis, Disorientation;
Dysphoria.
Associated with intramuscular administration.
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 the package leaflet for
respective contact details.
Very common
(>1 animal / 10 animals treated):
Ataxia
, Sedation
.Undetermined frequency (cannot
be estimated from the available
data):
Involuntary movement
;
Digestive tract hypomotility
;
Respiratory depression
;
Cardiac depression.
Lasting about 3 to 15 minutes.
Mild.
Running movements.
Mild and transient. Any reduction of gastrointestinal motility caused by butorphanol may
be enhanced by the concomitant use of α 2-agonists.
The respiratory depressive effects of α 2-agonists may be enhanced by concomitant
butorphanol, particularly if respiratory function is already impaired.
AN: 03233/2023 & 03234/2023Page 4 of 9
Dogs:
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000 animals
treated):
Ataxia;
Anorexia;
Diarrhoea.
Undetermined frequency (cannot
be estimated from the available
data):
Respiratory depression;
Cardiac depression;
Injection site pain
;
Digestive tract hypomotility.
Associated with intramuscular administration.
Cats:
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000 animals
treated):
Ataxia;
Anorexia;
Diarrhoea.
Undetermined frequency (cannot
be estimated from the available
data):
Respiratory depression;
Cardiac depression;
Injection site pain
;
Digestive tract hypomotility;
Excitation, Anxiety;
Sedation, Mydriasis, Disorientation;
Dysphoria.
Associated with intramuscular administration.
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 the package leaflet for
respective contact details.
The precautionary measures required for contact with animals should be followed and
stress factors for the animals should be avoided.
In cats, individual response to butorphanol may be variable. In the absence of an adequate
analgesic response, an alternative analgesic agent should be used.
Increasing of the dose may not increase the intensity or duration of analgesia.
Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
The safety of the veterinary medicinal product in puppies, kitten and foals has not been
established. Use of the veterinary medicinal product in these groups should be on the basis
of a risk-benefit analysis by the responsible veterinarian.
Due to its antitussive properties, butorphanol may lead to an accumulation of mucous in
the respiratory tract. Therefore, in animals with respiratory diseases associated with
increased mucous production, butorphanol should only be used after a risk-benefit
evaluation by the responsible veterinarian. If respiratory depression occurs, naloxone may
be used as an antidote.
Sedation may be noted in treated animals. The combination of butorphanol and 2-
adrenoceptor agonists should be used with caution in animals with cardiovascular disease.
The concurrent use of anticholinergic drugs, e.g. atropine should be considered. Routine
cardiac auscultation should be performed prior to use in combination with α 2-adrenoceptor
agonists.
AN: 03233/2023 & 03234/2023Page 3 of 9
Administration of butorphanol and romifidine in one syringe should be avoided due to
increased bradycardia, heart block and ataxia.
Horses
The use of the veterinary medicinal product at the recommended dose may lead to transient
ataxia and/or excitement. Therefore, to prevent injuries in patient and people when treating
horses, the location for the treatment should be chosen carefully.
Dogs
In dogs with MDR1 mutation reduce dose by 25 - 50 %.
Cats
Cats should be weighed to ensure that the correct dose is calculated. An appropriate
graduated syringe must be used to allow accurate administration of the required dose
volume (e.g. insulin syringe or 1 ml graduated syringe). If repeated administrations are
required, use different injection sites.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals:
Butorphanol has opioid-like activity. Precautions should be taken to avoid accidental
injection/self-injection with this potent drug. The most frequent adverse effects of
butorphanol in humans are drowsiness, sweating, nausea, dizziness and vertigo and may
occur following unintended self-injection. In case of accidental self-injection seek medical
advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician. Do not
drive. An opioid antagonist (e.g. naloxone) may be used as an antidote. Wash splashes
from skin and eyes immediately.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.
stress factors for the animals should be avoided.
In cats, individual response to butorphanol may be variable. In the absence of an adequate
analgesic response, an alternative analgesic agent should be used.
Increasing of the dose may not increase the intensity or duration of analgesia.
Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
The safety of the veterinary medicinal product in puppies, kitten and foals has not been
established. Use of the veterinary medicinal product in these groups should be on the basis
of a risk-benefit analysis by the responsible veterinarian.
Due to its antitussive properties, butorphanol may lead to an accumulation of mucous in
the respiratory tract. Therefore, in animals with respiratory diseases associated with
increased mucous production, butorphanol should only be used after a risk-benefit
evaluation by the responsible veterinarian. If respiratory depression occurs, naloxone may
be used as an antidote.
Sedation may be noted in treated animals. The combination of butorphanol and 2-
adrenoceptor agonists should be used with caution in animals with cardiovascular disease.
The concurrent use of anticholinergic drugs, e.g. atropine should be considered. Routine
cardiac auscultation should be performed prior to use in combination with α 2-adrenoceptor
agonists.
AN: 03233/2023 & 03234/2023Page 3 of 9
Administration of butorphanol and romifidine in one syringe should be avoided due to
increased bradycardia, heart block and ataxia.
Horses
The use of the veterinary medicinal product at the recommended dose may lead to transient
ataxia and/or excitement. Therefore, to prevent injuries in patient and people when treating
horses, the location for the treatment should be chosen carefully.
Dogs
In dogs with MDR1 mutation reduce dose by 25 - 50 %.
Cats
Cats should be weighed to ensure that the correct dose is calculated. An appropriate
graduated syringe must be used to allow accurate administration of the required dose
volume (e.g. insulin syringe or 1 ml graduated syringe). If repeated administrations are
required, use different injection sites.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals:
Butorphanol has opioid-like activity. Precautions should be taken to avoid accidental
injection/self-injection with this potent drug. The most frequent adverse effects of
butorphanol in humans are drowsiness, sweating, nausea, dizziness and vertigo and may
occur following unintended self-injection. In case of accidental self-injection seek medical
advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician. Do not
drive. An opioid antagonist (e.g. naloxone) may be used as an antidote. Wash splashes
from skin and eyes immediately.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.
The concomitant administration of other drugs which are metabolised in the liver may
enhance the effect of butorphanol.
Butorphanol used with concurrently administered anaesthetics, centrally sedative or
respiratory depressive drugs produces additive effects. Any use of butorphanol in this
context requires acute control and a careful adaptation of the dose.
Administration of butorphanol may remove the analgesic effect in animals, which have
already received pure μ-opioid
AN: 03233/2023 & 03234/2023Page 5 of 9
enhance the effect of butorphanol.
Butorphanol used with concurrently administered anaesthetics, centrally sedative or
respiratory depressive drugs produces additive effects. Any use of butorphanol in this
context requires acute control and a careful adaptation of the dose.
Administration of butorphanol may remove the analgesic effect in animals, which have
already received pure μ-opioid
AN: 03233/2023 & 03234/2023Page 5 of 9
This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage
conditions.
Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
conditions.
Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
Horses
Meat and offal: zero days
Milk: zero hours
Meat and offal: zero days
Milk: zero hours
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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