POM-V Prescription Required

Detogesic 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses

Active ingredient: Detomidine Hydrochloride

Form

Injection

Species

Horses

Manufacturer

Vetcare Limited

VMD MA No.

03379/5000

What it's used for

For the sedation and slight analgesia of horses, to facilitate physical examinations and treatments, such as minor surgical interventions. The product can...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

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Paying less for Detomidine Hydrochloride

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

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

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

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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

Detogesic 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses — SPC Details

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

For the sedation and slight analgesia of horses, to facilitate physical examinations
and treatments, such as minor surgical interventions.
The product can be used for:
• (e.g. endoscopic, rectal and gynaecological examinations,
X-rays).
•
treatment, excision of
skin tumours, teat treatment).
•

For pre-medication prior to administration of injection or inhalation anaesthetics. See
section 4.5 before use.

Revised: April 2025
MA split from NI MA following AN: 01960/2024

Administration route

For intravenous (IV) use only. The product should be injected slowly. Onset of effect
is more rapid following intravenous use.
Amount(s) to be administered
Use alone for sedation: dosage table
Dosage in
mcg/kg
Dosage
in ml/100 kg
Level of
sedation
Commencement
of effect (min)
Duration of
effect
(hrs)

10-20 0.1-0.2 Light 3-5 0.5-1 20-40 0.2-0.4 Moderate 3-5 0.5-1
When prolonged sedation and analgesia is required, doses of 40 to 80 mcg/kg can
be used. The duration of effect is up to 3 hours. It is recommended to wait 15
minutes after detomidine administration before starting the planned procedure.

For combination with other products to intensify sedation or for premedication prior to
general anaesthesia, doses of 10 to 30 mcg/kg can be used. Prior to use in
combination with other products such as butorphanol or ketamine, consult the
appropriate product details for dose rates. Allow 5 minutes after the administration of

Revised: April 2025
MA split from NI MA following AN: 01960/2024
detomidine for the horse to become deeply sedated before any subsequent
treatment.
The bodyweight of the animal to be treated should be determined as accurately as
possible to avoid overdosing.

Do not use in animals with cardiac abnormalities or respiratory disease.
Do not use in animals with liver insufficiency or renal failure.
Do not use in animals with general health problems (e. g. dehydrated animals).
Do not use in the last 3 months of pregnancy.
Do not use in combination with butorphanol in horses suffering from colic. Do not
use in combination with butorphanol in pregnant mares.

See also Sections 4.7 and 4.8.

Injection of detomidine may cause the following side effects:
•
•
•
•
•
develop.
•
•
•

At doses above 40 mcg/kg bodyweight, the following symptoms can also be
observed: sweating, pilo-erection and tremor of muscles, transient penis prolapse in
stallions and geldings.
In very rare cases horses may show mild symptoms of colic following administration
of alpha-2 sympathomimetics because substances of this class transiently inhibit the
motility of the intestines. The product should be prescribed with caution in horses
which present with signs of colic or impaction.
A diuretic effect is usually observed within 45 to 60 minutes after treatment.
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)

Revised: April 2025
MA split from NI MA following AN: 01960/2024

None.

Special precautions for use in animals

As sedation begins, horses may start to sway and lower the head rapidly while they
remain standing. To prevent injuries in horse and people while treating horses, the
location for treatment should be chosen carefully. Usual precautionary measures
should be taken to prevent self-injury.

Animals suffering from shock or liver or kidney disease should only be treated
according to the benefit/risk assessment by the responsible veterinary surgeon. The
product should not be used in animals suffering from cardiac diseases (with pre-
existing bradycardia and risk of atrioventricular block), respiratory, liver or renal
insufficiencies or any other extraordinary stress conditions.

It is recommended that feed should be withheld for at least 12 hours prior to
anaesthesia.

Water or food should not be offered to treated animals until the drug effect has
passed.

In painful procedures detomidine should be used only in combination with an
analgesic or a local anaesthetic.

While waiting for the onset of sedation, animals should remain in calm surroundings.
Detomidine/butorphanol combinations should not be used in horses with a history of
liver disease or cardiac irregularities.

Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary
medicinal product to animals

This product should be administered with caution, and care taken to avoid accidental
self-injection.

Revised: April 2025
MA split from NI MA following AN: 01960/2024
•
immediately and show the package leaflet to the doctor but DO NOT DRIVE as
sedation and changes in blood pressure may occur.
•
•
water.
•
•
fresh water. If symptoms occur, seek the advice of a doctor.
•
self-inject as uterine contractions and decreased foetal blood pressure may occur
after accidental systemic exposure.

Advice to doctors:
Detomidine is an alpha-2-adrenoreceptor agonist. Symptoms
involve clinical effects including dose-dependent sedation, respiratory depression,
bradycardia, hypotension, a dry mouth, and hyperglycaemia. Ventricular arrhythmias
have also been reported. Respiratory and haemodynamic symptoms should be
treated symptomatically.

Concurrent use of other sedatives should proceed only after consultation of the
warnings and precautions for the product(s) concerned.
Detomidine should not be used in combination with sympathomimetic amines such
as adrenaline, dobutamine and ephedrine, except as required in anaesthetic
emergencies.

The concurrent use of certain potentiated sulphonamides may cause cardiac
arrhythmia with fatal outcome. Do not use in combination with sulphonamides.
Detomidine in combination with other sedatives and anaesthetics should be used
carefully because additive/synergistic effects may be possible. Where anaesthesia is
induced with a combination of detomidine and ketamine, prior to maintenance with
halothane, the effects of halothane may be delayed and care must be taken to avoid
overdosage. When detomidine is used as a premedicant prior to general
anaesthesia, it may delay the onset of induction.

Do not store above 25°C.
Store in the original carton in order to protect from light. Store in a dry place.

Meat and offal: 2 days
Milk: 12 hours
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.