Dolorex 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horse, Dog and Cat
Active ingredient: Butorphanol
Form
Injection
Species
Manufacturer
MSD Animal Health UK Limited
VMD MA No.
01708/5111
What it's used for
For information on the duration of analgesia that can be expected following treatment, see section 4.2. Horses: For relief of pain associated with colic of...
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Dolorex 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horse, Dog and Cat — SPC Details
Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.
see section 4.2.
Horses:
For relief of pain associated with colic of gastrointestinal tract origin.
For sedation in combination with certain α2-adrenoceptor agonists (see section 3.9).
Dogs:
For relief of moderate visceral pain.
For sedation in combination with certain α2-adrenoceptor agonists (see section 3.9).
Cats:
For the relief of moderate pain associated with soft tissue surgery.
Dogs:
Intravenous use.
0.2 to 0.4 mg/kg
(i.e. 0.2 to 0.4 ml/10 kg bw)
Rapid intravenous injection should be avoided.
Butorphanol is intended for use where short duration analgesia is required. For
information on the duration of analgesia that can be expected following treatment see
section 4.2. However, repeat treatments of butorphanol may be administered. The need
for, and timing of repeat treatment will be based on clinical response. For cases where
longer duration analgesia is likely to be required, an alternative therapeutic agent should
be used.
Cats:
Subcutaneous use.
0.4 mg/kg,
(i.e. 0.2 ml/5 kg bw)
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).
In the cat, butorphanol is intended for use where short to medium duration analgesia is
required. For information on the duration of analgesia that can be expected following
treatment see section 4.2. Depending on the clinical response, veterinary medicinal
product administration may be repeated within six hours. In the absence of an adequate
analgesic response (see section 3.5), use of an alternative analgesic agent, such as
another suitable opioid analgesic and/or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, should
be considered. Any alternative analgesia should take account of the action of
butorphanol on opioid receptors, as described in section 3.8.
If repeated administrations are required, use different injection sites.
For sedation
Butorphanol can be used in combination with an α2-adrenoceptor agonist (e.g
(me)detomidine or romifidine).
Adjustment of the dose will then be necessary according to the following
recommendations:
Horses:
Intravenous use.
Detomidine: 0.01 - 0.02 mg/kg
Butorphanol: 0.01 - 0.02 mg/kg
Detomidine should be administered up to 5 min before butorphanol.
Romifidine: 0.05 mg/kg
Butorphanol: 0.02 mg/kg
Romifidine can be administered concurrently or 4 min before butorphanol.
Dogs:
Intramuscular use.
Medetomidine: 0.01 - 0.03 mg/kg
Butorphanol: 0.1 - 0.2 mg/kg
Medetomidine and butorphanol can be administered concurrently.
The stopper should not be pierced more than 25 times.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or to any of the
excipients.
Butorphanol/detomidine combination:
The combination should not be used in horses with a pre-existing cardiac dysrhythmia
or bradycardia.
The combination will cause a reduction in gastrointestinal motility and consequently
should not be used in cases of colic associated with impaction.
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals
treated, including isolated
reports):
Pacing
;
Ataxia, Sedation;
Digestive tract hypomotility;
Cardiac depression.
Excitatory locomotor effects.
Dogs:
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals
treated, including isolated
reports):
Cardiac depression;
Respiratory depression
;
Anorexia;
Diarrhoea, Digestive tract hypomotility;
Injection site pain
;
Sedation.
Naloxone may be used as an antidote.
Associated with intramuscular injection.
Cats:
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals
treated, including isolated
reports):
Mydriasis, Disorientation, Sedation;
Injection site irritation
, Immediate pain on injection;
Agitation
;
Dysphoria.
In case of repeated administrations.
Mild.
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 also the package leaflet for respective contact details.
adequate analgesic response, an alternative analgesic agent should be used (see
section 3.9). Increasing the dose may not increase the intensity or duration of analgesia.
Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
Butorphanol is a morphinan derivative and therefore possesses opioid activity.
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.
Horses, dogs, and cats:
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 or in animals that are being treated with expectorants, butorphanol should
only be used on the basis of a risk-benefit analysis by the responsible veterinarian.
The concomitant use of other central nervous depressants would be expected to
potentiate the effects of butorphanol, and such drugs should be used with caution. A
reduced dose should be used when administering these agents concurrently.
The combination of butorphanol and α2-adrenoceptor agonists should be used with
caution in animals with cardiovascular disease. The concurrent use of anticholinergic
drugs, e.g. atropine should be considered.
The safety of the veterinary medicinal product in young 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.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
Precautions should be taken to avoid accidental injection/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.
The effects of butorphanol include sedation, dizziness and confusion. Effects can be
reversed with an opioid antagonist such as naloxone.
Wash splashes from skin and eyes immediately.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.
agonists (e.g. romifidine or detomidine in horses, medetomidine in dogs) where
synergistic effects can be expected. Therefore, an appropriate reduction in dose is
necessary when used concomitantly with such agent (see section 3.9.)
Because of its antagonist properties at the opiate mu (µ) receptor butorphanol may
remove the analgesic effect in animals, which have already received pure opioid mu (µ)
agonists (morphine/oxymorphine).
Protect from light.
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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