ACP Injection 2 mg/ml Solution for Injection

Composition

Each ml contains:

Active substance:

Acepromazine 2 mg (equivalent to 2.71 mg acepromazine maleate)

Excipients:

Pale yellow solution.

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Pharmacological properties

4.1 ATCvet code:

QN05AA04

4.2 Pharmacodynamics

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.

4.3 Pharmacokinetics

The length of action of acepromazine appears to be prolonged and to be dose dependent.

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Target species

Dogs and cats.

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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.

Sedation: At higher dose rates acepromazine is a sedative.

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Dosage

To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible.

Premedication: 0.03 - 0.125 mg per kg bodyweight by intramuscular, subcutaneous or slow intravenous injection.

Other uses: By intramuscular or subcutaneous injection 0.0625 - 0.125 mg per kg bodyweight. Approximately equivalent to 0.625 - 1.25 ml of 2 mg/ml injection per 20 kg bodyweight. By intravenous injection - as for intramuscular, except that it is recommended the injection is made slowly.

The maximum dose that should be given is 4 mg acepromazine per animal.

Normally single doses of acepromazine are administered (see section 4.3, Contraindications).

Take adequate precautions to maintain sterility. Avoid the introduction of contamination during use. Should any apparent growth or discolouration occur, discard the product.

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Contraindications

Do not use in pregnant animals.

Do not use on a long term basis in individual animals.

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Adverse reactions

Dogs:

Very rare (<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports):

Arrhythmia1

1 May follow rapid intravenous injection

See also section “Special precautions for use in animals”

Cats:

Very rare (<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports):

Arrhythmia1

1 May follow rapid intravenous injection

See also section “Special precautions for use in animals”

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 the package leaflet for respective contact details.

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Warnings

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:

Acepromazine is hypotensive. Particular care should therefore be taken in hypovolaemic animals; rehydration should precede acepromazine administration.

In some dogs, particularly Boxers and other short-nosed breeds, spontaneous fainting or syncope may occur due to sinoatrial block caused by excessive vagal tone. An attack may be precipitated by an injection of acepromazine, so a low dose should be used. Where there is a history of this type of syncope, or if it is suspected because of excessive sinus arrhythmia, it may be advantageous to control the dysrhythmia with atropine given just before the acepromazine.

Large breeds: It has been noted that large breeds of dog are particularly sensitive to acepromazine and the minimum dose possible should be used in these breeds.

Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals

Care should be taken when handling and administering this product to avoid exposure.

Take precautions to avoid accidental injection or self-administration of this potent drug. In case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician. Symptomatic treatment may be required.

Avoid contact with 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.

Special precautions for the protection of the environment:

Not applicable.

3.11 Special restrictions for use and special conditions for use, including restrictions on the use of antimicrobial and antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products in order to limit the risk of development of resistance

Not applicable.

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Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy.

Do not use (during the whole or part of the pregnancy).

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Interactions

Acepromazine is additive to the actions of other depressants and will potentiate general anaesthesia (see section 3.2, indications for use).

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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.

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.

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Special warnings

Subcutaneous injection is non-irritant and efficacious, especially in cats.

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Withdrawal period

Not applicable

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Incompatibilities

None known.

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Immediate packaging

One 20 ml clear glass (Type II) vial, closed with a grey chlorobutyl rubber bung and aluminium crimped seal in a cardboard box.

Pack size: 1 x 20 ml

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Storage

Do not store above 25 °C.

Protect from light.

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Shelf life

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 years. Shelf life after opening of the immediate packaging: 28 days.

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Disposal of unused product

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater.

Use take-back schemes for the disposal of any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived thereof in accordance with local requirements and with any national collection systems applicable to the veterinary medicinal product concerned.

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Additional information

Vm 52127/5074

8 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

30 June 1992

9 DATE OF THE LAST REVISION OF THE SUMMARY OF THE PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

September 2026

10 CLASSIFICATION OF VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Veterinary medicinal product subject to prescription.

Find more product information by searching for the ‘Product Information Database’ on www.gov.uk.

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Registration holder

Elanco GmbH

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