Bupaq 0.3 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats

Composition

Each ml contains:

Active substance:

Buprenorphine (as hydrochloride) 0.3 mg

Excipients:

Qualitative composition of excipients and other constituents

Glucose monohydrate

Hydrochloric acid concentrated (for pH adjustment)

Sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment)

Water for injection

Clear, colourless to almost colourless solution.

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Pharmacological properties

4.1 ATCvet code: QN02AE01

4.2 Pharmacodynamics

In summary, buprenorphine is a potent, long-acting analgesic acting at opiate receptors in the central nervous system. Buprenorphine can potentiate the effects of other centrally-acting agents, but unlike most opiates, buprenorphine has, at clinical doses, only a limited sedative effect of its own.

Buprenorphine exerts its analgesic effect via high affinity binding to various subclasses of opiate receptors, particularly µ, in the central nervous system. At clinical dose levels for analgesia, buprenorphine binds to opiate receptors with high affinity and high receptor avidity, such that its dissociation from the receptor site is slow, as demonstrated in in vitro studies. This unique property of buprenorphine could account for its longer duration of activity when compared to morphine. In circumstances where excessive opiate agonist is already bound to opiate receptors, buprenorphine can exert a narcotic antagonistic activity as a consequence of its high- affinity opiate receptor binding, such that an antagonistic effect on morphine equivalent to naloxone has been demonstrated.

Buprenorphine has little effect on gastro-intestinal motility.

4.3 Pharmacokinetics

Buprenorphine is rapidly absorbed after intramuscular injection in various animal species and man. The substance is highly lipophilic and the volume of distribution in body compartments is large. Pharmacological effects (e.g. mydriasis) may occur within minutes of administration and signs of sedation normally appear by 15 minutes. Analgesic effects appear around 30 minutes with peak effects usually being observed at about 1 – 1.5 hours.

Following intravenous administration to dogs at a 20 μg/kg dose, the mean terminal half-life was 9 hours and the mean clearance was 24 ml/kg/min, however, there is considerable inter-dog variability in pharmacokinetic parameters.

Following intramuscular administration to cats, the mean terminal half-life was 6.3 hours and the clearance was 23 ml/kg/min; however, there was considerable inter-cat variability in pharmacokinetic parameters.

Combined pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies have demonstrated a marked hysteresis between plasma concentration and analgesic effect. Plasma concentrations of buprenorphine should not be used to formulate individual animal dosage regimens, which should be determined by monitoring the patient’s response. The major route of excretion in all species except the rabbit (where urinary excretion predominates) is the faeces. Buprenorphine undergoes N-dealkylation and glucuronide conjugation by the intestinal wall and the liver and its metabolites are excreted via the bile into the gastro-intestinal tract.

In tissue distribution studies carried out in rats and rhesus monkeys the highest concentrations of drug-related material were observed in liver, lung and brain. Peak levels occurred rapidly and declined to low levels by 24 hours after dosing. Protein binding studies in rats have shown that buprenorphine is highly bound to plasma proteins, principally to alpha and beta globulins.

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Target species

Dogs and cats

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Indications

Dogs:

Post-operative analgesia.

Potentiation of the sedative effects of centrally-acting agents.

Cats:

Post-operative analgesia.

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Dosage

Intramuscular (i.m.) or intravenous (i.v.) use.

To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible. The use of suitably calibrated measuring equipment is recommended.

10 - 20 micrograms of buprenorphine per kg bodyweight (i.e. 0.3 - 0.6 ml of the veterinary medicinal product per 10 kg bodyweight).

For further pain relief the dose may be repeated if necessary:

Dogs: Either after 3 - 4 hours with 10 micrograms of buprenorphine per kg bodyweight or after 5 - 6 hours with 20 micrograms of buprenorphine per kg. bodyweight.

Cats: Once, after 1 - 2 hours with 10 - 20 micrograms of buprenorphine per kg bodyweight.

While sedative effects are present by 15 minutes after administration, analgesic activity becomes apparent after approximately 30 minutes. To ensure that analgesia is present during surgery and immediately on recovery, the veterinary medicinal product should be administered preoperatively as part of premedication.

When administered for potentiation of sedation or as part of premedication, the dose of other centrally-acting agents, such as acepromazine or medetomidine, should be reduced. The reduction will depend on the degree of sedation required, the individual animal, the type of other agents included in premedication and how anaesthesia is to be induced and maintained. It may also be possible to reduce the amount of inhalational anaesthetic used.

Animals administered opioids possessing sedative and analgesic properties may show variable responses. Therefore, the response of individual animals should be monitored and subsequent doses should be adjusted accordingly. In some cases, repeat doses may fail to provide additional analgesia. In these cases, consideration should be given to using a suitable injectable NSAID.

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Contraindications

Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

Do not administer by the intrathecal or peridural route.

Do not use pre-operatively for Caesarian section (see section 3.7).

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Adverse reactions

Dogs:

Rare (1 to 10 animals / 10 000 animals treated):

Hypertension, Tachycardia;

Sedation1.

Undetermined frequency (cannot be estimated from the available data):

Hypersalivation;

Bradycardia;

Hypothermia, Dehydration;

Agitation;

Miosis;

Respiratory depression.

1 When used to provide analgesia. May occur at dose levels higher than those recommended.

Cats:

Common (1 to 10 animals / 100 animals treated):

Mydriasis1;

Behavioural disorder1,2.

Rare (1 to 10 animals / 10 000 animals treated):

Sedation3.

Undetermined frequency (cannot be estimated from the available data):

Respiratory depression.

1 Will usually resolve within 24 hours.

2 Signs of euphoria (excessive purring, pacing, rubbing).

3 When used to provide analgesia. May occur at dose levels higher than those recommended.

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.

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Warnings

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:

Use of the veterinary medicinal product in the below circumstances should only be in accordance with the benefit-risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian. Buprenorphine may cause respiratory depression and as with other opioid drugs, care should be taken when treating animals with impaired respiratory function or animals that are receiving drugs that can cause respiratory depression.

In case of renal, cardiac or hepatic dysfunction or shock, there may be greater risk associated with the use of the veterinary medicinal product.

Safety has not been fully evaluated in clinically compromised cats.

Buprenorphine should be used with caution in animals with impaired liver function, especially biliary tract disease, as the substance is metabolised by the liver and its intensity and duration of action may be affected in such animals.

The safety of buprenorphine has not been demonstrated in animals less than 7 weeks of age.

Repeat administration earlier than the recommended repeat interval suggested in section 3.9 is not recommended.

Long-term safety of buprenorphine in cats has not been investigated beyond 5 consecutive days of administration.

The effect of an opioid on head injury is dependent on the type and severity of the injury and the respiratory support supplied.

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

As buprenorphine has opioid activity, care should be taken to avoid self-injection or ingestion. Buprenorphine may be absorbed systemically on exposure to mucous membranes. The veterinary medicinal product, which is slightly acidic, may cause skin or eye irritation if contact occurs. Following eye, skin or mouth contact, wash the affected area thoroughly with water. Seek medical advice if irritation persists. In case of accidental self-injection or ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician. Wash hands after use. To the physician: In case of accidental self-injection the opioid antagonist naloxone may be used as antidote.

Special precautions for the protection of the environment:

Not applicable.

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Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Pregnancy:

Laboratory studies in rats have not produced any evidence of a teratogenic effect. However, these studies have shown post-implantation losses and early foetal deaths. These may have resulted from a reduction in parental body condition during gestation and in post-natal care owing to sedation of the mothers.

As reproductive toxicity studies have not been conducted in the target species, use only according to the benefit-risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian. The veterinary medicinal product should not be used pre-operatively in cases of Caesarean section, due to the risk of respiratory depression in the offspring periparturiently, and should only be used post-operatively with special care (see below).

Lactation:

Studies in lactating rats have shown that, after intramuscular administration of buprenorphine, concentrations of unchanged buprenorphine in the milk equalled or exceeded that in the plasma. As it is likely that buprenorphine will be excreted in the milk of other species, use is not recommended during lactation. Use only in accordance with the benefit-risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian.

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Interactions

Buprenorphine may cause some drowsiness, which may be potentiated by other centrally acting agents, including tranquillisers, sedatives and hypnotics. There is evidence in humans to indicate that therapeutic doses of buprenorphine do not reduce the analgesic efficacy of standard doses of an opioid agonist, and that when buprenorphine is employed within the normal therapeutic range, standard doses of opioid agonist may be administered before the effects of the former have ended without compromising analgesia. However, it is recommended that buprenorphine is not used in conjunction with morphine or other opioid-type analgesics, e.g. etorphine, fentanyl, pethidine, methadone, papaveretum or butorphanol.

Buprenorphine has been used with acepromazine, alphaxalone/alphadalone, atropine, dexmedetomidine, halothane, isoflurane, ketamine, medetomidine, propofol, sevoflurane, thiopental and xylazine. When used in combination with sedatives, depressive effects on heart rate and respiration may be augmented.

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Overdose

In cases of overdosage, supportive measures should be instituted, and, if appropriate, naloxone or respiratory stimulants may be used.

When administered at overdose to dogs, buprenorphine may cause lethargy. At very high doses, bradycardia and miosis may be observed.

Naloxone may be of benefit in reversing reduced respiratory rate and respiratory stimulants such as Doxapram are also effective in man. Because of the prolonged duration of effect of buprenorphine in comparison to such drugs, they may need to be administered repeatedly or by continuous infusion. Volunteer studies in man have indicated that opiate antagonists may not fully reverse the effects of buprenorphine. In toxicological studies of buprenorphine hydrochloride in dogs, biliary hyperplasia was observed after oral administration for one year at dose levels of 3.5 mg/kg/day and above. Biliary hyperplasia was not observed following daily intramuscular injection of dose levels up to 2.5 mg/kg/day for 3 months. This is well in excess of any clinical dose regimen in the dog.

Please also refer to sections 3.5 and 3.6 of this SPC.

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Special warnings

None.

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Withdrawal period

Not applicable.

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Incompatibilities

In the absence of compatibility studies, this veterinary medicinal product must not be mixed with other veterinary medicinal products.

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Immediate packaging

Clear glass vials type II, coated bromobutyl rubber stopper type I, aluminium cap, packed in a cardboard box.

Pack sizes:

Cardboard box with 3 vials of 2 ml

Cardboard box with 4 vials of 2 ml

Cardboard box with 5 vials of 2 ml

Cardboard box with 6 vials of 2 ml

Cardboard box with 10 vials of 2 ml

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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Storage

Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

After first opening the immediate packaging: Store in a refrigerator (2 – 8 °C). This veterinary medicinal product does not contain an antimicrobial preservative.

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Shelf life

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 years Shelf life after first opening the immediate packaging: 24 hours

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Disposal of unused product

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.

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 57446/4008

8 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

19 July 2017

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

February 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.

Approved: 17 March 2026

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Registration holder

VetViva Richter GmbH

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