Detonervin 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses and Cattle
Active ingredient: Detomidine Hydrochloride
Form
Injection
Species
Manufacturer
Le Vet B.V.
VMD MA No.
19994/4015
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Detonervin 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses and Cattle — SPC Details
Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.
hydrochloride at a dose of 10–80 μg/kg depending on the degree and duration of sedation
and analgesia required. The effect is more rapid after intravenous administration. To
ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible.
Single use (horses and cattle)
Doseml/100 kgµg/kgEffectDuration
of effect
(h)
Other effects0.1-0.210-20Sedation0.5-10.2-0.420-40Sedation and analgesia0.5-1Slight staggering0.4-0.840-80Deeper sedation and
better analgesia
0.5-2Staggering, sweating,
piloerection, muscular
tremors
AN: 01872/2024 & 01873/2024
The onset of action occurs 2–5 min after IV injection. The full effect is seen 10–15 min
after IV injection. If necessary, detomidine hydrochloride can be administered up to a total
dose of 80 μg/kg.
The following dosing instructions show different possibilities for the combination of
detomidine hydrochloride. However, the simultaneous administration with other drugs
should always be based on a benefit-risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian and
it must be done taking into account the SPC of the relevant products.
Combinations with detomidine to increase sedation or analgesia in a standing horse
Detomidine hydrochloride 10–30 μg/kg IV in combination with either
• butorphanol 0.025–0.05 mg/kg IV or
• levomethadone 0.05–0.1 mg/kg IV or
• acepromazine 0.02–0.05 mg/kg IV
Combinations with detomidine to increase sedation or analgesia in cattle
Detomidine hydrochloride 10-30 μg/kg IV in combination with
• butorphanol 0.05 mg/kg IV
Combinations with detomidine for preanaesthetic sedation in the horse
The following anaesthetics can be used after detomidine hydrochloride premedication (10–
20 μg/kg)
• ketamine 2.2 mg/kg IV or
• thiopental 3–6 mg/kg IV or
• guaifenesin IV (to effect) followed by ketamine 2.2 mg/kg IV
Administer the veterinary medicinal products prior to ketamine and allow sufficient time for
sedation to develop (5 minutes). Ketamine and the veterinary medicinal product must
therefore never be administered simultaneously in the same syringe.
Combinations with detomidine and inhalation anaesthetics in the horse
Detomidine hydrochloride can be used as sedative premedicant (10–30 μg/kg) before
induction and maintenance of inhalation anaesthesia. Inhalation anaesthetic is given to
effect. The amount of inhalation anaesthetics required is significantly reduced by
premedication with detomidine.
AN: 01872/2024 & 01873/2024
Combination with detomidine to maintain injection anaesthesia (total intravenous
anaesthesia TIVA) in the horse
Detomidine can be used in combination with ketamine and guaifenesin for maintaining
total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA).
The best-documented solution contains guaifenesin 50–100 mg/ml, detomidine
hydrochloride 20 and ketamine 2 mg/ml. 1 g ketamine and 10 mg detomidine
hydrochloride are added to 500 ml of 5–10 % guaifenesin; anaesthesia is maintained by
an infusion of 1 ml/kg/h.
Combinations with detomidine for induction and maintenance of general
anaesthesia in cattle
Detomidine hydrochloride 20
• ketamine 0.5–1 mg/kg IV, IM or
• thiopental 6–10 mg/kg IV
The effect of detomidine-ketamine lasts for 20–30 minutes, and the effect of detomidine-
thiopental for 10-20 minutes.
AV/SA block, severe respiratory disease or severely impaired liver or kidney function.
AN: 01872/2024 & 01873/2024
Do not use in combination with butorphanol in horses with colic without further monitoring
of the horse for signs of clinical deterioration.
Do not use in conjunction with sympathomimetic amines or with intravenous potentiated
sulfonamides. Concurrent use with intravenous potentiated sulfonamides may cause
cardiac arrhythmia with a fatal outcome.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
Very common
(>1 animal / 10 animals treated):
Arrhythmia
, Bradycardia, Heart block
,
Hypertension (transient), Hypotension
(transient)
Hyperglycaemia
Ataxia, Muscle tremor
Urination
Penile prolapse (transient)
, Uterine
contraction
Increased sweating (transient),
Piloerection Hyperthermia, Hypothermia
Common
(1 to 10 animals / 100 animals treated):
Hypersalivation (transient)
Nasal discharge
Skin swelling
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000 animals treated):
Colic
Urticaria
Hyperventilation, Respiratory depression
Excitation
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated,
including isolated reports):
Hypersensitivity reaction
1,2
Causes changes in the conductivity of cardiac muscle as evidenced by partial
atrioventricular and sinoatrial blocks.
A diuretic effect may be observed 45 to 60 minutes after treatment.
AN: 01872/2024 & 01873/2024
A partial penis prolapse can occur in stallions and geldings.
5,6
Mucus discharges from the nose and oedema of the head and face may be seen
because of continued lowering of the head during sedation.
Substances of this class inhibit intestinal motility.
Cattle:
Very common
(>1 animal / 10 animals treated):
Bradycardia, Hypertension (transient),
Hypotension (transient)
Hyperglycaemia
Urination
Penile prolapse (transient)
Common
(1 to 10 animals / 100 animals treated):
Ruminal tympany
, Hypersalivation
(transient)
Ataxia, Muscle tremor
Uterine contraction
Nasal discharge
, Respiratory depression
(slight)
Hyperthermia, Hypothermia
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000 animals treated):
Arrhythmia
Increased sweating (transient)
Excitation
Hyperventilation (slight)
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated,
including isolated reports):
Heart block
1
A diuretic effect may be observed 45 to 60 minutes after treatment.
A partial, penis prolapse can occur.
Substances of this class inhibit ruminal and intestinal motility. Can cause a mild
bloat in cattle.
Mucus discharge from the nose may be seen because of continued lowering of the
head during sedation.
5,7
Causes changes in the respiratory
rate.
6,8
Causes changes in the conductivity of cardiac muscle as evidenced by partial
atrioventricular and sinoatrial blocks.
Mild adverse reactions have reportedly resolved uneventfully without treatment. Adverse
reactions should be treated symptomatically.
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.
Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
A benefit-risk assessment should be performed by the responsible veterinarian prior to
administration of the veterinary medicinal product to the following categories of animals:
those approaching or in endotoxic or traumatic shock, animal with dehydration or
respiratory disease, horses with pre-existing bradycardia, fever, or under extreme stress.
During prolonged sedation, monitor body temperature and, if necessary, take measures to
maintain normal body temperature.
When the veterinary medicinal product is administered, the animal should be allowed to
rest in a maximally quiet place. Before any procedure is initiated, the sedation should be
allowed to reach its peak effect (approximately 10–15 minutes following IV administration.)
At the onset of the effect, it is to be noted that the animal may stagger and lower its head.
Cattle, and especially young animals may become recumbent when high detomidine
doses are used. In order to minimize the risk of injuries, tympany or aspiration, measures
such as selecting a suitable environment for treatment, and lowering the head and neck
should be taken.
For horses, fasting for 12 hours before planned anaesthesia is recommended. Food and
water should be withheld until the sedative effect of the veterinary medicinal product has
worn off.
For painful procedures, the veterinary medicinal product should be combined with (an)
other analgesic agent(s).
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
Some horses, although apparently deeply sedated, may still respond to external stimuli.
Routine safety measures should be employed to protect practitioners and handlers.
Detomidine is an alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist, which may cause sedation, somnolence,
decreased blood pressure and decreased heart rate in humans.
In case of accidental ingestion or self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show
the package leaflet or the label to the physician but DO NOT DRIVE as sedation and
changes in blood pressure may occur.
AN: 01872/2024 & 01873/2024
Avoid skin, eye or mucosal contact.
Immediately after exposure, wash the exposed skin with large amounts of fresh water.
Remove contaminated clothes that are in direct contact with skin.
In the case of accidental contact of the veterinary medicinal product with eyes, rinse with
large amounts of fresh water. If symptoms occur, seek the advice of a doctor.
If pregnant women handle the veterinary medicinal product, special caution should be
observed not to self-inject as uterine contractions and decreased foetal blood pressure
may occur after accidental systemic exposure.
To the physician:
Detomidine hydrochloride is an alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonist. Symptoms after
absorption may 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.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.
and analgesics and therefore an appropriate dose adjustment may be needed.
When the veterinary medicinal product is used as a premedication prior to general
anaesthesia, the veterinary medicinal product may delay onset of induction.
Detomidine should not be used in conjunction with sympathomimetic amines such as
adrenaline, dobutamine and ephedrine, as these agents counteract the sedative effect of
detomidine, except in the case of anaesthetic incidents.
For intravenous potentiated sulfonamides, see section 3.3.‘Contraindications’.
Meat and offal: 2 days
Milk: 12 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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Other Products Containing Detomidine Hydrochloride
These products share the same active ingredient and may be suitable alternatives. Always consult your vet.
Detogesic 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses
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Detogesic 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses
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Domosedan 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses and Cattle
POM-VOrion Corporation
Domosedan Gel 7.6 mg/ml Oromucosal Gel
POM-VOrion Corporation
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