POM-V Prescription Required

Domidine 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses and Cattle

Active ingredient: Detomidine Hydrochloride

Form

Injection

Species

Cattle Horses

Manufacturer

Eurovet Animal Health B.V.

VMD MA No.

16849/4008

What it's used for

administration of injectable or inhalation anaesthetics.

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

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Paying less for Detomidine Hydrochloride

1

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2

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Clinical information

Domidine 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses and Cattle — SPC Details

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

administration of injectable or inhalation anaesthetics.

To be administered intramuscularly or by slow intravenous injection of detomidine
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
AN: 01761/2024 & 01762/2024
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
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) to achieve lateral recumbency and general anaesthesia:
• ketamine 2.2 mg/kg IV or
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• 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.
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.

Do not use in animals with severe cardiac insufficiency, cardiac abnormalities, pre-
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existing AV/SA block, severe respiratory disease or severely impaired liver or kidney
function.
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.

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 rareHeart block
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(<1 animal / 10,000 animals
treated, including isolated
reports):
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.
Horses
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.
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.
Mild adverse reactions have reportedly resolved uneventfully without treatment.
Adverse reactions should be treated symptomatically.
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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.

None.

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.
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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.
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.

Detomidine has an additive/synergistic effect with other sedatives, anaesthetics,
hypnotics 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’.

This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

Horses, cattle:
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.