POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Depo-Medrone V 40 mg/ml Suspension for Injection for Dogs, Cats and Horses

Active ingredient: Methylprednisolone Acetate

Form

Injection

Species

Cats Dogs Horses

Manufacturer

Zoetis UK Limited

VMD MA No.

42058/5161

What it's used for

For the treatment of, or as part of a therapeutic regime for, inflammatory and allergic conditions in dogs and cats such as allergic or non-specific inflam...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

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Paying less for Methylprednisolone Acetate

1

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Prescription required

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Clinical information

Depo-Medrone V 40 mg/ml Suspension for Injection for Dogs, Cats and Horses — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

For the treatment of, or as part of a therapeutic regime for, inflammatory and
allergic conditions in dogs and cats such as allergic or non-specific
inflammatory dermal conditions, musculoskeletal conditions, ocular/optic
inflammatory conditions and other inflammatory/allergic conditions that are
likely to respond to corticosteroid therapy e.g. autoimmune disorders. For the
treatment of, or as part of a therapeutic regime for, musculoskeletal conditions
in horses.

Amended pages: December 2025

The dosage needed may vary according to individual clinical circumstances
such as the severity of the condition to be treated, size of animal, and clinical
response.
The following dosage recommendations are therefore initial guidelines and
may need slight alteration in the light of individual response. An insulin type
syringe should be used to measure and administer volumes of less than 1 ml.
Local: Aseptic precautions are important.
Horses:
Smaller spaces will require a correspondingly lesser dose. The intra-tendinous
dose ranges from 80-400 mg (2-10 ml) depending on the size of the tendon.
Dogs: The average initial dose for a large synovial space is 20 mg (0.5 ml).
Smaller spaces will require a correspondingly lesser dosage.
Procedure for intra-synovial injection:
injected should be reviewed in order to ensure that the product is properly
placed, and that large blood vessels and nerves are avoided. The injection site
is located where the synovial cavity is most superficial. The area is prepared
for aseptic injection by shaving and disinfection. If there is an excess of
synovia and more than 1 ml of the product is to be injected, it is advisable to
aspirate a volume of fluid comparable to that which is to be injected. With the
needle in place, the aspirating syringe is removed and replaced by a second
syringe containing the proper amount of the product to be injected. In some
animals, a transient pain or synovial flare may be elicited immediately upon
injection and may last for up to two to three days. After injection, the structure

Amended pages: December 2025
may be moved gently a few times to aid mixing of the synovial fluid and the
product. The site may be covered with a small sterile dressing.
Following injection, relief from clinical signs may be experienced within 12-24
hours and be sustained for a variable period but averages three to four weeks,
with a range of one to more than five weeks. The continued or prolonged use
of the product is discouraged.
Intramuscular use:
Horses:
Dogs and cats: The usual intramuscular dose for dogs and cats is 1-2 mg/kg.
Injections may be repeated in accordance with the severity of the condition and
clinical response. Relief from clinical signs is usually sustained for up to three
weeks but may range from one to more than four weeks.
For maintenance therapy in chronic conditions, initial doses should be
gradually reduced until the smallest effective dose is established.

Not to be given intravenously. The technique of aspiration should be employed,
as appropriate, to avoid intravascular administration.
Intra-synovial, intra-tendinous or other injections of corticosteroids for local
effect are contra-indicated in the presence of acute infectious conditions.
Systemic corticosteroid therapy is generally contra-indicated in patients with
arrested tuberculosis, peptic ulcer, renal disease, diabetes mellitus and
Cushing's syndrome.
The product is contra-indicated for the treatment of laminitis in horses.

Dogs, cats, and horses:
Very common
(>1 animal / 10 animals treated):
Polyuria (increased urination)
Polydipsia (increased thirst)
, Polyphagia
(increased appetite)
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated,
including isolated reports):
Gastric ulcer
, Small intestine ulcer
,
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Adrenal gland disorder
Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
Other immune system disorder
Elevated liver enzymes, Hypokalaemia (low
blood potassium)
, Hypernatremia
Laminitis, Muscle wasting, Muscle
weakness, Osteoporosis
Cutaneous calcinosis (calcium deposit in the
skin), Skin thinning
Delayed healing
, Oedema (swelling)
1
When administered systemic, during the early stages of therapy.
May be exacerbated by steroids in patients given non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs and in corticosteroid treated animals with spinal cord
trauma.
Following cessation of treatment, signs 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 reduction of dosage.
Corticosteroids may delay wound healing and the immunosuppressant
actions may weaken resistance to or exacerbate existing infections.
Delayed wound healing.
Long term use.
When applied locally.
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 the national
competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet
for respective contact details.

None.

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
It is important that treatment of working or racing animals is followed by a
period of rest to allow resolution of the clinical condition.
Aseptic injection techniques should be practised. Due to the potential for local
cosmetic effects, the sub-cutaneous use of this product in show animals is not
recommended.
Exacerbation of pain, further loss of joint motion, with fever and malaise
following intra-synovial injection may indicate that the condition has become
septic and appropriate antibacterial therapy should be instituted immediately.
Animals receiving corticosteroids should be monitored for signs of infection
and, where necessary, appropriate antimicrobial therapy instigated.
As with any corticosteroid, treatment of working or racing animals should be
followed by a period of rest to allow resolution of the clinical condition.
It is recommended that, where joint therapy is indicated, a radiologic
examination is undertaken prior to treatment to evaluate the presence of
fractures. If fractures are present, corticosteroid therapy should only be used
with utmost caution if permanent damage is to be avoided.
Additionally, it should be noted that use of the product in horses for other
conditions could induce laminitis and careful observations during the treatment
period should be made.
Anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone, 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

Amended pages: December 2025
necessary to control clinical signs. The continued or prolonged use of this
product is not generally recommended.
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, signs 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
reduction of dosage (for further discussion see standard texts).
Corticosteroids may delay wound healing and the immunosuppressant actions
may weaken resistance to or exacerbate existing infections. In the presence of
bacterial infection, anti-bacterial 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.
During a course of treatment, the clinical condition of the animal should be
reviewed regularly by close veterinary supervision.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary
medicinal product to animals:
In case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show
the package leaflet or the label to the physician.
Personal protective equipment consisting of gloves should be worn when
handling the veterinary medicinal product.
Accidental spillage onto the skin, should be washed off immediately with soap
and water.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.

Amended pages: December 2025

interaction
Concurrent administration of barbiturates, phenylbutazone, phenytoin or
rifampicin may enhance the metabolism and reduce the effects of
corticosteroids. Response to anticoagulants may also be reduced by
corticosteroids.

Do not store above 25 °C.
Do not freeze.

Not to be used in horses intended for human consumption.
Treated horses may never be slaughtered for human consumption.
The horse passport must have been declared as not intended for human
consumption under national horse passport legislation.

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.