POM-V
Prescription Required
Companion Animal
Medetor 1 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dog and Cat
Active ingredient: Medetomidine Hydrochloride
Form
Injection
Species
Cats
Dogs
Manufacturer
CP Pharma Handelsgesellschaft mbH
VMD MA No.
20916/4001
What it's used for
In cats: In combination with ketamine for general anaesthesia for minor surgical procedures of short duration. AN: 01723/2024 & 01727/2024
Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.
Paying less for Medetomidine 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.
Done — we'll email you when prices land.
Prescription required
Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.
Clinical information
Medetor 1 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dog and Cat — SPC Details
Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.
In cats:
In combination with ketamine for general anaesthesia for minor surgical procedures of
short duration.
AN: 01723/2024 & 01727/2024
In combination with ketamine for general anaesthesia for minor surgical procedures of
short duration.
AN: 01723/2024 & 01727/2024
meter of body surface. Use the table below to determine the correct dosage on the basis
of body weight:
Maximal effect is obtained within 15 - 20 minutes. Clinical effect is dose-dependent, lasting
from 30 - 180 minutes.
The veterinary medicinal product dosages in ml and corresponding amount of
medetomidine hydrochloride in μg /kg bw:
AN: 01723/2024 & 01727/2024
body
weight
[kg]
i.v.- Injectioni.m.- Injection[ml]
corresp. to
[μg/kg[ml]
corresp. to
[μg/kg
10.0880.00.10100.020.1260.00.1680.030.1653.30.2170.040.1947.50.2562.550.2244.00.3060.060.2541.70.3355.070.2840.00.3752.980.3037.50.4050.090.3336.70.4448.9100.3535.00.4747.0120.4033.30.5344.2140.4431.40.5942.1160.4830.00.6440.0180.5228.90.6938.3200.5628.00.7437.0250.6526.00.8634.4300.7324.30.9832.7350.8123.11.0830.9400.8922.21.1829.5501.0320.61.3727.4601.1619.31.5525.8701.2918.41.7224.6801.4117.61.8823.5901.5216.92.0322.61001.6316.32.1821.8
For premedication:
10 - 40 µg medetomidine hydrochloride per kg body weight, corresponding to 0.1 - 0.4 ml
per 10 kg body weight. The exact dose depends on the combination of drugs used and the
dosage(s) of the other drug(s). The dose should furthermore be adjusted to the type of
surgery, length of procedure and patient temperament and weight. Premedication with
medetomidine will significantly reduce the dosage of the induction agent required and will
reduce volatile anaesthetic requirements for maintenance anaesthesia. All anaesthetic
agents used for induction or maintenance of anaesthesia should be administered to effect.
Before using any combinations, product literature for the other veterinary medicinal
products should be observed. See also section 3.5.
Cats:
For moderate-deep sedation and restraint of cats the veterinary medicinal product should
be administered at a dosage of 50 - 150 µg medetomidine hydrochloride /kg bw (corresp.
to 0.05 - 0.15 ml veterinary medicinal product / kg bw).
For anaesthesia the veterinary medicinal product should be administered at a dosage of
80 µg medetomidine hydrochloride / kg bw (corresp. to 0.08 ml veterinary medicinal
product / kg bw) and 2.5 to 7.5 mg ketamine / kg bw. Using this dosage anaesthesia
occurs within 3 - 4 minutes and is apparent for 20 - 50 minutes. For longer lasting
procedures administration has to be repeated by using ½ of the initial dose (i.e. 40 µg
medetomidine hydrochloride (corresp. to 0.04 ml veterinary medicinal product / kg bw) and
AN: 01723/2024 & 01727/2024
2.5 - 3.75 mg ketamine / kg bw) or 3.0 mg ketamine / kg bw alone. Alternatively, for longer
lasting procedures anaesthesia may be extended by use of the inhalation agents
isoflurane or halothane, with oxygen or oxygen/nitrous oxide. See section 3.5.
of body weight:
Maximal effect is obtained within 15 - 20 minutes. Clinical effect is dose-dependent, lasting
from 30 - 180 minutes.
The veterinary medicinal product dosages in ml and corresponding amount of
medetomidine hydrochloride in μg /kg bw:
AN: 01723/2024 & 01727/2024
body
weight
[kg]
i.v.- Injectioni.m.- Injection[ml]
corresp. to
[μg/kg[ml]
corresp. to
[μg/kg
10.0880.00.10100.020.1260.00.1680.030.1653.30.2170.040.1947.50.2562.550.2244.00.3060.060.2541.70.3355.070.2840.00.3752.980.3037.50.4050.090.3336.70.4448.9100.3535.00.4747.0120.4033.30.5344.2140.4431.40.5942.1160.4830.00.6440.0180.5228.90.6938.3200.5628.00.7437.0250.6526.00.8634.4300.7324.30.9832.7350.8123.11.0830.9400.8922.21.1829.5501.0320.61.3727.4601.1619.31.5525.8701.2918.41.7224.6801.4117.61.8823.5901.5216.92.0322.61001.6316.32.1821.8
For premedication:
10 - 40 µg medetomidine hydrochloride per kg body weight, corresponding to 0.1 - 0.4 ml
per 10 kg body weight. The exact dose depends on the combination of drugs used and the
dosage(s) of the other drug(s). The dose should furthermore be adjusted to the type of
surgery, length of procedure and patient temperament and weight. Premedication with
medetomidine will significantly reduce the dosage of the induction agent required and will
reduce volatile anaesthetic requirements for maintenance anaesthesia. All anaesthetic
agents used for induction or maintenance of anaesthesia should be administered to effect.
Before using any combinations, product literature for the other veterinary medicinal
products should be observed. See also section 3.5.
Cats:
For moderate-deep sedation and restraint of cats the veterinary medicinal product should
be administered at a dosage of 50 - 150 µg medetomidine hydrochloride /kg bw (corresp.
to 0.05 - 0.15 ml veterinary medicinal product / kg bw).
For anaesthesia the veterinary medicinal product should be administered at a dosage of
80 µg medetomidine hydrochloride / kg bw (corresp. to 0.08 ml veterinary medicinal
product / kg bw) and 2.5 to 7.5 mg ketamine / kg bw. Using this dosage anaesthesia
occurs within 3 - 4 minutes and is apparent for 20 - 50 minutes. For longer lasting
procedures administration has to be repeated by using ½ of the initial dose (i.e. 40 µg
medetomidine hydrochloride (corresp. to 0.04 ml veterinary medicinal product / kg bw) and
AN: 01723/2024 & 01727/2024
2.5 - 3.75 mg ketamine / kg bw) or 3.0 mg ketamine / kg bw alone. Alternatively, for longer
lasting procedures anaesthesia may be extended by use of the inhalation agents
isoflurane or halothane, with oxygen or oxygen/nitrous oxide. See section 3.5.
Do not use in animals with:
- Severe cardiovascular disease or respiratory diseases or impaired liver or kidney
function.
- Mechanical disturbances of the gastro-intestinal tract (torsio ventriculi, incarcerations,
oesophageal obstructions).
- Pregnancy, Diabetes mellitus.
- State of shock, emaciation or serious debilitation.
Do not use concomitantly with sympathomimetic amines.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any other excipients.
Do not use in animals with ocular problems where an increase in intraocular pressure
would be detrimental.
- Severe cardiovascular disease or respiratory diseases or impaired liver or kidney
function.
- Mechanical disturbances of the gastro-intestinal tract (torsio ventriculi, incarcerations,
oesophageal obstructions).
- Pregnancy, Diabetes mellitus.
- State of shock, emaciation or serious debilitation.
Do not use concomitantly with sympathomimetic amines.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any other excipients.
Do not use in animals with ocular problems where an increase in intraocular pressure
would be detrimental.
Dog and cat:
Common
(1 animal to 10 animals / 100
animals treated):
Vomiting
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000 animals
treated):
Pulmonary oedemaUndetermined frequency
(cannot be estimated from the
available data)
Increased sensitivity to sound
Hyperglycaemia
Bradycardia, Heart block 1st degree, Heart block 2nd
degree,
Extrasystole
, Vasoconstriction
, High blood
pressure
Decreased cardiac output
6,7
Respiratory depression
Increased urine volume
Hypothermia
Mydriasis
Cyanosis
Injection site pain
AN: 01723/2024 & 01727/2024
Muscle tremor
Some dogs and most cats will vomit within 5-10 minutes of injection. Cats may also vomit
on
recovery.
Reversible, due to depression of insulin secretion
Occasionally
Of coronary artery
Blood pressure will increase initially after administration and then return to normal, or
slightly below normal.
Atropine may increase the cardiac rate.
Manual ventilation and an oxygen supplement may be indicated.
Dogs with a body weight of less than 10 kg may show the undesirable effects mentioned
above more often.
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.
Common
(1 animal to 10 animals / 100
animals treated):
Vomiting
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000 animals
treated):
Pulmonary oedemaUndetermined frequency
(cannot be estimated from the
available data)
Increased sensitivity to sound
Hyperglycaemia
Bradycardia, Heart block 1st degree, Heart block 2nd
degree,
Extrasystole
, Vasoconstriction
, High blood
pressure
Decreased cardiac output
6,7
Respiratory depression
Increased urine volume
Hypothermia
Mydriasis
Cyanosis
Injection site pain
AN: 01723/2024 & 01727/2024
Muscle tremor
Some dogs and most cats will vomit within 5-10 minutes of injection. Cats may also vomit
on
recovery.
Reversible, due to depression of insulin secretion
Occasionally
Of coronary artery
Blood pressure will increase initially after administration and then return to normal, or
slightly below normal.
Atropine may increase the cardiac rate.
Manual ventilation and an oxygen supplement may be indicated.
Dogs with a body weight of less than 10 kg may show the undesirable effects mentioned
above more often.
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.
Medetomidine may not provide analgesia throughout the entire period of sedation,
therefore consideration should be given to providing additional analgesia for painful
procedures.
Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
A clinical examination should be carried out in all animals before the use of veterinary
medicinal products for sedation and/or general anaesthesia. Higher doses of
medetomidine should be avoided in large breed dogs. Care should be taken when
combining medetomidine with other anaesthetics or sedatives because of its marked
anaesthetic sparing effects. The dose of the anaesthetic should be reduced accordingly
and titrated to response due to considerable variability in requirements between patients.
Before using any combinations, the warnings and contra-indications in the product
literature for the other products should be observed.
Animals should be fasted 12 hours before anaesthesia.
The animal should be placed in a calm and quiet surrounding to let the sedation gain its
maximum effect. This takes about 10 - 15 minutes. One should not start any procedure or
give other medicines before maximum sedation is reached.
Treated animals should be kept warm and at a constant temperature, both during the
procedure and recovery.
The eyes should be protected by a suitable lubricant.
Nervous, aggressive or excited animals should be given the possibility to calm down
before initiation of treatment.
Sick and debilitated dogs and cats should only be premedicated with medetomidine before
induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia based on a risk-benefit assessment.
Care should be taken with use of medetomidine in animals with cardiovascular disease, or
which are elderly or in general poor health. Liver and kidney function should be evaluated
prior to use. As ketamine alone can elicit cramps, alpha-2 antagonists should be
administered not before 30 - 40 min. after ketamine.
Medetomidine may cause respiratory depression and under these circumstances, manual
ventilation and oxygen may be administered.
AN: 01723/2024 & 01727/2024
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
In case of accidental self-injection or ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show
the package leaflet to the physician. DO NOT DRIVE as sedation and changes in blood
pressure may occur.
Avoid skin, eye or mucosal contact.
Wash the exposed skin immediately after exposure with large amounts of 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
abundantly with fresh water. If symptoms occur, seek the advice of a physician.
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:
Medetomidine is an alpha2-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.
therefore consideration should be given to providing additional analgesia for painful
procedures.
Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
A clinical examination should be carried out in all animals before the use of veterinary
medicinal products for sedation and/or general anaesthesia. Higher doses of
medetomidine should be avoided in large breed dogs. Care should be taken when
combining medetomidine with other anaesthetics or sedatives because of its marked
anaesthetic sparing effects. The dose of the anaesthetic should be reduced accordingly
and titrated to response due to considerable variability in requirements between patients.
Before using any combinations, the warnings and contra-indications in the product
literature for the other products should be observed.
Animals should be fasted 12 hours before anaesthesia.
The animal should be placed in a calm and quiet surrounding to let the sedation gain its
maximum effect. This takes about 10 - 15 minutes. One should not start any procedure or
give other medicines before maximum sedation is reached.
Treated animals should be kept warm and at a constant temperature, both during the
procedure and recovery.
The eyes should be protected by a suitable lubricant.
Nervous, aggressive or excited animals should be given the possibility to calm down
before initiation of treatment.
Sick and debilitated dogs and cats should only be premedicated with medetomidine before
induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia based on a risk-benefit assessment.
Care should be taken with use of medetomidine in animals with cardiovascular disease, or
which are elderly or in general poor health. Liver and kidney function should be evaluated
prior to use. As ketamine alone can elicit cramps, alpha-2 antagonists should be
administered not before 30 - 40 min. after ketamine.
Medetomidine may cause respiratory depression and under these circumstances, manual
ventilation and oxygen may be administered.
AN: 01723/2024 & 01727/2024
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
In case of accidental self-injection or ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show
the package leaflet to the physician. DO NOT DRIVE as sedation and changes in blood
pressure may occur.
Avoid skin, eye or mucosal contact.
Wash the exposed skin immediately after exposure with large amounts of 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
abundantly with fresh water. If symptoms occur, seek the advice of a physician.
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:
Medetomidine is an alpha2-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.
The concomitant use of other CNS depressants should be expected to potentiate the
effect of either active substance. Appropriate dose adjustments should be made.
Medetomidine has marked anaesthetic sparing effects. See also section 3.5.
The effects of medetomidine may be antagonized by administration of atipamezole or
yohimbine.
See also section 3.3
effect of either active substance. Appropriate dose adjustments should be made.
Medetomidine has marked anaesthetic sparing effects. See also section 3.5.
The effects of medetomidine may be antagonized by administration of atipamezole or
yohimbine.
See also section 3.3
This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Not applicable
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.
Medication costs adding up?
Pet insurance can cover prescription medications. Find the right policy for your pet.
Same active ingredient
Other Products Containing Medetomidine Hydrochloride
These products share the same active ingredient and may be suitable alternatives. Always consult your vet.
Domitor 1 mg/ml Solution for Injection
POM-VOrion Corporation
injection
Cats
Dogs
Dorbene Vet 1 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats
POM-VLaboratorios SYVA S.A.
injection
Cats
Dogs
Dormostart 1 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats
POM-VAlfasan Nederland B.V.
injection
Cats
Dogs
Dormostart 1 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats
POM-VAlfasan Nederland B.V.
injection
Cats
Dogs
Medetocord 1 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats
POM-VVetpharma Animal Health, S.L
injection
Cats
Dogs
Sedastart 1 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Cats and Dogs
POM-VLe Vet B.V.
injection
Cats
Dogs
Alternative options to consider
Retailers we earn a commission from. It costs you nothing and never changes what we show.
The Pharm Pet Co.
The Pharm Pet Co. — Pet Pharmacy
UK online pet pharmacy. Flea, worm, prescription medications, supplements and pet food. Save vs vet prices.
Save up to 50%
Shop now
Pharmacy2U
Pet Care at Pharmacy2U
The UK's largest online pharmacy. Pet wormers, flea treatments, dental and joint care. Free delivery on orders over £30.
Free delivery £30+
Shop now
Petlibro
Petlibro Automatic Feeder
Smart automatic pet feeder with app control. Schedule meals, portion control, and feeding history.
From £49.99
Shop now
We may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Also in sedative
Related Medications
Acecare 2mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats
POM-VAcepromazine
injection
Rx
Cats
Dogs
AceSedate 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses
POM-VAcepromazine
injection
Rx
Horses
AceSedate 2 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats
POM-VAcepromazine
injection
Rx
Cats
Dogs
ACP Injection 2 mg/ml Solution for Injection
POM-VAcepromazine
injection
Rx
Cats
Dogs
ACP Injection 2 mg/ml Solution for Injection
POM-VAcepromazine
injection
Rx
Cats
Dogs
Azaporc 40 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Pigs
POM-VAzaperone
injection
Rx
Pigs
Find cheaper vets near you
Compare vet consultation prices in your area. Save on procedures and get a prescription to buy medications online.