AceSedate 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses
Acepromazine
Last verified
Veterinary medicinal product: solution for injection. Distribution category: POM-V (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Acepromazine.1
In short: questions and answers
- Does AceSedate 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses need a prescription?
- Prescription only. As stated in the registration decision.1
- Which animals is AceSedate 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses for?
- Horses.1
- What is the active substance in AceSedate 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses?
- Acepromazine. ATCvet code: QN05AA04.13
- What is the withdrawal period of AceSedate 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses according to the leaflet?
- No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3
- Dispensing
- Prescription only1
POM-V: Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinarian. Supplied only on a prescription written by a veterinary surgeon who has assessed the animal.12
Supplied only on a veterinarian's prescription. As stated in the registration decision.
- Animal species
- Horses1
- Active substance
- Acepromazine
- ATCvet code
- QN05AA043
- Manufacturer
- Marketing authorisation holder: Zoetis UK Limited
Withdrawal period
No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3
Summary of product characteristics
Composition
Each ml contains:
Active substance:
Acepromazine 10 mg
(as acepromazine maleate 13.55 mg
Excipients:
Phenol (preservative) 3.0 mg
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
6.1 List of excipients
Phenol
Sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment)
Maleic acid (for pH adjustment)
Water for injections
Pharmaceutical form
Solution for injection.
Clear yellow solution.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antipsychotics
ATCvet code: QN05AA04
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Acepromazine is a phenothiazine. It is a central nervous system depressant with associated activity on the autonomic system. Phenothiazines have a central action due to inhibition of dopamine pathways, resulting in alteration of mood, reduction in fear and removal of learned or conditioned responses.
Acepromazine possesses anti-emetic, hypothermic, hypotensive and anti-spasmodic properties and shows a marked potentiating effect on barbiturate anaesthesia.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic particulars
The length of action of acepromazine appears to be prolonged and to be dose dependent.
Target species
Horses.
Indications
Anaesthetic Premedication: Following acepromazine administration, the amount of anaesthetic necessary to induce anaesthesia is considerably reduced. This reduction is approximately one-third of a suitable induction agent.
Tranquilisation: Acepromazine tranquilisation (ataraxy) involves a modification of temperament which is not associated with hypnosis, narcosis or marked sedation. This is achieved with low doses of acepromazine. At low doses, acepromazine reduces anxiety which is beneficial for use in horses prior to shoeing or transportation.
Sedation: At higher dose rates acepromazine is an effective sedative, as an adjunct to, or replacement for, physical restraint e.g. dentistry, handling and shoeing. The relaxant effects aid examination of the penis in horses and the treatment of tetanus and choke.
Dosage
By intramuscular injection: 0.03 - 0.10 mg per kg bodyweight. Approximately equivalent to 0.15 - 0.5 ml of 10 mg/ml injection per 50 kg (approx. 1 cwt) bodyweight.
By intravenous injection: As for intramuscular, except that it is recommended the injection is made slowly.
Normally, single doses of acepromazine are administered. Long term use is not recommended. On the rare occasions that repeat dosing is required, the dosing interval should be 36 - 48 hours.
Take adequate precautions to maintain sterility. Avoid the introduction of contamination during use. Should any apparent growth or discolouration occur, discard the product. The closure may be safely punctured up to 38 times.
Contraindications
Do not administer to breeding stallions. Paralysis of the retractor penis muscle has been associated with the use of parenterally administered acepromazine in horses.
Do not use this product in conjunction with organophosphates and/or procaine hydrochloride, as it may enhance activity and potential toxicity.
Do not, in any circumstances, ride horses within the 36 hours following administration of the product.
See section 4.7
Adverse reactions
Acepromazine has caused paraphimosis, sometimes as a sequel to priapism. When extrusion of the penis occurs, the owner should be advised to inform his veterinary surgeon if retraction of the penis does not take place within 2 - 3 hours. Suitable treatments have been described in the veterinary literature e.g. manual compression during the period of general anaesthesia, penile support and manual compression, use of an Esmarch bandage.
Accidental intracarotid injection in horses can produce clinical signs ranging from disorientation to convulsive seizures and death.
Warnings
Special precautions for use in animals
Situations may arise where general anaesthesia is required in the 4 - 6 hours following use of the product. In such cases care should be taken to reduce the induction dose of other premedicants and anaesthetic agents, particularly parenteral barbiturates, so as to avoid potentiation and additive depressant effects.
When administered to male horses (geldings or stallions), use the lowest dose recommended to produce the required effect.
Acepromazine is an adrenoceptor blocking drug and this causes hypotension and lowered p.c.v. The product should therefore be administered with great caution, and at low dose rates only to debilitated horses and animals in states of hypovolaemia, anaemia and shock, or with cardiovascular disease. Rehydration should precede acepromazine administration.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
This product contains a potent sedative; care should be taken when handling and administering this product to avoid accidental self-exposure. In case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician but DO NOT DRIVE as sedation may occur. Symptomatic treatment may be required.
This product may cause irritation of skin and eyes. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. If accidental eye contact occurs, flush gently with fresh running water for 15 minutes and seek medical advice if any irritation persists. In the event of accidental skin contact, wash the contaminated area with large amounts of soap and water. Medical advice should be sought if irritation persists.
Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after use.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
Do not administer to pregnant mares.
Interactions
Tranquilisers are additive to the actions of other depressants and will potentiate general anaesthesia (see section 4.2, indications for use).
Overdose
Transient dose-dependent hypotension may occur in cases of accidental overdose. Therapy should consist of discontinuing any other hypotensive treatment, supportive care such as intravenous infusion of warm isotonic saline to correct hypotension and close monitoring. In severe cases treatment with norepinephrine may be indicated but its use must be based on a careful evaluation of the benefit risk balance by the responsible veterinary surgeon.
Epinephrine (adrenaline) is contra-indicated in the treatment of acute hypotension produced by overdosage of acepromazine maleate, since further depression of systemic blood pressure can result.
Special warnings
Duration of action may be prolonged and this should be remembered when riding, as acepromazine may affect performance and appear in drug tests for some time.
Acepromazine has little, if any, analgesic effect so that painful procedures must be avoided, particularly where animals are known to have unpredictable temperaments. Therefore, the usual precautions should be maintained when handling sedated horses.
During sedation, horses will normally retain visual and auditory acuity, so that loud sounds and rapid movements may cause arousal from the sedated state. It is therefore important to keep treated horses in a quiet environment and avoid sensory stimulation as far as possible.
Take adequate precautions to maintain sterility.
Avoid the introduction of contamination during use. Should any apparent growth or discolouration occur, discard the product.
Withdrawal period
Not authorised for use in horses intended for human consumption.
Incompatibilities
None known.
Immediate packaging
20 ml amber glass (Type I) vial or 50 ml amber glass (Type II) vial, closed with a grey chlorobutyl rubber bung and aluminium crimped seal with plastic flip-cap.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Storage
Do not store above 25°C.
Following withdrawal of the first dose, use remainder of the product within 28 days. Discard unused material.
Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
Do not freeze.
Shelf life
Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 18 months.
Shelf life after opening of the immediate packaging: 28 days.
Disposal of unused product
Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal product should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
Additional information
Vm 42058/5219
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION
21 February 2019
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
December 2025
PROHIBITION OF SALE, SUPPLY AND/OR USE
To be supplied only on veterinary prescription.
Gavin Hall Approved: 04 December 2025
Registration holder
Zoetis UK Limited
1st Floor, Birchwood Building
Springfield Drive
Leatherhead
Surrey
KT22 7LP
Regulations
- Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/2033), Schedule 32
Sources
- VMD Product Information Database: AceSedate 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses, 42058/5219
- The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3 (categories of veterinary medicinal products)
- Summary of Product Characteristics: AceSedate 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses
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