POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Colvasone 0.2% w/v Solution for Injection

Active ingredient: Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate

Form

Injection

Species

Cats Cattle Dogs Horses

Manufacturer

Norbrook Laboratories Limited

VMD MA No.

02000/4009

What it's used for

Dexamethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid with a potent anti-inflammatory action. Colvasone can be used for: (1) Intravenous therapy in cases where emerg...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

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Paying less for Dexamethasone Sodium Phospha...

1

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They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

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Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Colvasone 0.2% w/v Solution for Injection — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 26 Mar 2026.

Dexamethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid with a potent anti-inflammatory
action.
Colvasone can be used for:
(1) Intravenous therapy in cases where emergency treatment is indicated,
particularly shock and circulatory collapse, fog fever, acute mastitis and
burns.
(2) Acetonaemia (ketosis) in cattle. Dexamethasone has a marked
glucogenic action.
(3) Inflammatory conditions in all species: the product will suppress
inflammation and is indicated in the treatment of arthritis, laminitis,
dermatitis etc.

Revised: March 2022
AN: 02668/2021

By intravenous or intramuscular injection.
Normal aseptic precautions should be observed.
Recommended Dosage Schedule:
Horses and cattle: 1 ml per 25 kg bodyweight
Dogs and cats: 1 ml per 10 kg bodyweight
e.g.
Horses 500 kg - 20 ml
Cattle 400 kg - 16 ml
Dogs 10 kg - 1 ml
Cats 5 kg - 0.5 ml

Revised: March 2022
AN: 02668/2021
To ensure accuracy of dosing, a suitably graduated syringe must be used
when treating small animals.

Systemic corticosteroid therapy is generally contra-indicated in patients with
renal disease and diabetes mellitus.

Steroids themselves, during treatment, may cause Cushingoid symptoms
involving significant alteration of fat, carbohydrate, protein and mineral
metabolism e.g. redistribution of body fat, muscle weakness and wastage and
osteoporosis may result. During therapy effective doses suppress the
Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal axis. Following cessation of treatment,
symptoms of adrenal insufficiency extending to adrenocortical atrophy can
arise and this may render the animal unable to deal adequately with stressful
situations. Consideration should therefore be given to means of minimising
problems of adrenal insufficiency following the withdrawal of treatment, e.g. a
gradual reductions of dosage (for further discussion see standard texts).
Systemically, acting corticosteroids may cause polyuria, polydipsia and
polyphagia, particularly during the early stages of therapy. Some
corticosteroids may cause sodium and water retention and hypokalaemia in
long term use.

Revised: March 2022
AN: 02668/2021
Systemic corticosteroids have caused deposition of calcium in the skin
(calcinosis cutis). Corticosteroids may delay wound healing and the
immunosuppressant actions may weaken resistance to or exacerbate existing
infections.
Gastrointestinal ulceration has been reported in animals treated with
corticosteroids and gastrointestinal ulceration may be exacerbated by steroids
in patients given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and in corticosteroid-
treated animals with spinal cord trauma. Steroids may cause enlargement of
the liver (hepatomegaly) with increased serum hepatic enzymes.
In very rare cases, hypersensitivity reactions might occur.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse
reaction(s))
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated
reports).

Use of the product in horses could induce laminitis and therefore careful
observations should be made during treatment.

Special precautions for use in animals
Anti-inflammatory corticosteroids such as dexamethasone, are known to exert
a wide range of side-effects. Whilst single high doses are generally well
tolerated, they may induce severe side-effects in long term use and when
esters possessing a long duration of action are administered. Dosage in
medium to long term use should therefore generally be kept to the minimum
necessary to control symptoms.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary
medicinal product to animals
This product contains dexamethasone which can cause allergic reactions in
some people. People with known hypersensitivity to dexamethasone should
avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product.
In case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and
show the carton to the physician.
Pregnant women should not handle this veterinary medicinal product.
Wash hands after use.

interaction
In the presence of bacterial infection, antibacterial drug cover is usually
required when steroids are used. In the presence of viral infections, steroids
may worsen or hasten the progress of the disease.

Do not store above 25C.
Following withdrawal of the first dose, use the product within 28 days.
Discard unused material.

Cattle (meat): 21 days.
Cattle (milk): 84 hours.
Do not use in horses intended for human consumption.
Treated horses may never be slaughtered for human consumption.
The horse must have been declared as not intended for human consumption
under national horse passport legislation.
5.

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.