POM-V Prescription Required

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

Active ingredient: Detomidine Hydrochloride

Form

Injection

Species

Cattle Horses

Manufacturer

CP Pharma Handelsgesellschaft mbH

VMD MA No.

20916/4002

What it's used for

inhalation anaesthetics.

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

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Clinical information

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

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

inhalation anaesthetics.

To be administered intramuscularly or by slow intravenous injection of detomidine
hydrochloride at a dose of 10 - 80
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)
Dose ml/100
kg
µg/kgEffectDuration of
effect (h)
Other effects0.1 - 0.210 - 20Sedation0.5 - 10.2 - 0.420 - 40Sedation and
analgesia
0.5 - 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 i.v. injection. The full effect is seen 10 - 15 min
after i.v. 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
AN: 00948/2024 & 00949/2024
Combinations with detomidine to increase sedation or analgesia in cattle
Detomidine hydrochloride 10 - 30
•
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
•
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
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.
AN: 00948/2024 & 00949/2024

Do not use in animals with severe cardiac insufficiency, cardiac abnormalities, pre-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.
AN: 00948/2024 & 00949/2024
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)
Very rare
(< 1 animal / 10,000
animals treated, including
isolated reports):
Excitation
Heart block
Hyperventilation (slight)
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, 8
Causes changes in the respiratory rate.
6, 7
Causes changes in the conductivity of cardiac muscle as evidenced by partial
atrioventricular and sinoatrial blocks.
AN: 00948/2024 & 00949/2024
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
Very rare
(< 1 animal / 10,000
animals treated, including
isolated reports):
Excitation
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.
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 minimise 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.
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.
AN: 00948/2024 & 00949/2024
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.

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.