Propomitor 10 mg/ml Emulsion for Injection/Infusion for Dogs and Cats
Propofol
Last verified
Veterinary medicinal product: emulsion for injection. Distribution category: POM-V (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Propofol.1
In short: questions and answers
- Does Propomitor 10 mg/ml Emulsion for Injection/Infusion for Dogs and Cats need a prescription?
- Prescription only. As stated in the registration decision.1
- Which animals is Propomitor 10 mg/ml Emulsion for Injection/Infusion for Dogs and Cats for?
- Cats, Dogs.1
- What is the active substance in Propomitor 10 mg/ml Emulsion for Injection/Infusion for Dogs and Cats?
- Propofol. ATCvet code: QN01AX10.13
- What is the withdrawal period of Propomitor 10 mg/ml Emulsion for Injection/Infusion for Dogs and Cats 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.
- Active substance
- Propofol
- ATCvet code
- QN01AX103
- Manufacturer
- Marketing authorisation holder: Orion Corporation
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:
Propofol 10 mg
Excipients:
Soya-bean oil, refined 100 mg
Egg phospholipids 12mg
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
6.1 List of excipients
Soya-bean oil, refined
Egg phospholipids
Glycerol
Sodium hydroxide
Water for injections
Disodium edetate
Pharmaceutical form
Emulsion for injection/infusion.
White or almost white, homogenous emulsion.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anesthetics, other general anaesthetics.
ATC Vet Code: QN01AX10.
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Propofol is a short-acting, intravenous general anaesthetic, characterised by rapid onset, a short duration of anaesthesia and by rapid recovery. Propofol produces unconsciousness by depressing the central nervous system.
The depressant effects of propofol are primarily mediated through potentiation of postsynaptic GABAA receptors in the central nervous system. However, the glutaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmitter systems are also thought to have a role in mediating the effects of propofol.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic particulars
Blood concentrations of propofol exhibit a tri-exponential decline in both dogs and cats. This is likely to reflect rapid distribution of propofol from the blood and brain to less well vascularised tissues, rapid metabolic clearance and slower redistribution from poorly vascularised tissues to blood. It is the first phase (t½, alpha approximately 10 min) that is clinically relevant, since animals awaken subsequent to the initial redistribution of propofol from the brain. The clearance of the drug is high in dogs but lower in cats, possibly due to inter-species differences in metabolism. In dogs, clearance is higher than hepatic blood flow, suggesting the presence of metabolic sites in addition to the liver. The volume of distribution is high in both dogs and cats. Propofol is highly bound to plasma protein (96-98%).
Clearance of the drug occurs through hepatic metabolism followed by renal elimination of the conjugated metabolites. A small amount is excreted in the faeces.
Target species
Dogs and cats.
Indications
- general anaesthesia for brief procedures lasting up to five minutes.
- induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia by administration of incremental doses to effect or as a constant rate infusion (CRI).
- induction of general anaesthesia, where maintenance is provided by inhalation anaesthetic agents.
Dosage
Intravenous use.
The veterinary medicinal product is a sterile product for intravenous use. Shake gently prior to use.
Dose requirements can vary significantly between individual animals and are influenced by a range of factors (please refer to section 4.5 Special precautions for use in animals, and section 4.8 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction). In particular, the use of pre-anaesthetic drugs (premedication) may markedly reduce propofol requirements dependent on the type and dose of pre-anaesthetic drugs used.
The dose to be administered should be estimated based on average dose requirements in preparation for anaesthesia. The actual dose requirements of an individual animal may be significantly lower or higher than the average dose.
Induction
The induction dose of the veterinary medicinal product presented in the table below is based on data taken from controlled laboratory and field studies and is the average amount of drug required for dogs or cats to be successfully induced for anaesthesia. The actual dose administered must be based on the individual response of each animal.
| Guide dose mg/kg bodyweight | Dose volume ml/kg bodyweight | |
|---|---|---|
| DOGS | ||
| Unpremedicated | 6.5 | 0.65 |
| Premedicated* | ||
| alpha-2 agonist | 3.0 | 0.30 |
| acepromazine-based | 4.5 | 0.45 |
| CATS | ||
| Unpremedicated | 8.0 | 0.8 |
| Premedicated* | ||
| alpha-2 agonist | 2.0 | 0.2 |
| acepromazine-based | 6.0 | 0.6 |
* Induction doses significantly below the average dose may be effective after premedication with an alpha-2 adrenoceptor based protocol in some animals.
When propofol is used in combination with e.g. ketamine, fentanyl or benzodiazepines for induction of anaesthesia (so called co-induction), the total dose of propofol can be further reduced.
The dosing syringe should be prepared based on the dose volume of veterinary medicinal product shown above, calculated based on bodyweight. The dose should be administered slowly to limit incidence and duration of apnoea and administration should continue until the clinician is satisfied that the depth of anaesthesia is sufficient for endotracheal intubation or the planned procedure. As a guide the veterinary medicinal product should be administered over a period of 20–60 seconds.
Maintenance
Repeat bolus injections Where anaesthesia is maintained by incremental injections of the veterinary medicinal product, the dose rate and duration of effect will vary between animals. The incremental dose required to maintain anaesthesia is typically lower in premedicated animals compared with unpremedicated animals.
An incremental dose of approximately 1 mg/kg (0.1 ml/kg) in dogs and 2 mg/kg (0.2 ml/kg) in cats can be administered when anaesthesia becomes too light. This dose can be repeated as required to maintain an appropriate depth of anaesthesia, allowing 20–30 seconds between each dose to assess the effect. Each incremental dose should be administered slowly to effect.
Constant rate infusion When anaesthesia is maintained by a constant rate infusion (CRI) of propofol, the dose is 0.2–0.4 mg/kg/min in dogs. The actual dose administered must be based on the individual response of each animal and may be increased up to 0.6 mg/kg/min for short periods. In cats, the maintenance dose is 0.1–0.3 mg/kg/min, and should be adapted to the individual response. CRI anaesthesia lasting up to 2 hours with the dose 0.4 mg/kg/min in dogs and 0.2 mg/kg/min in cats has been reported to be well tolerated. In addition, infusion rate may be increased or decreased by 0.025–0.1 mg/kg/min increments in dogs, or 0.01–0.025 mg/kg/min in cats at 5–10 min intervals to adapt the anaesthetic plane.
Continuous and prolonged exposure (greater than 30 minutes) may lead to slower recovery, especially in cats.
Maintenance of anaesthesia by inhalation agents
Where inhalation agents are used to maintain general anaesthesia, it may be necessary to use a higher initial concentration of the inhalation anaesthetic than is normally the case following induction with barbiturate agents.
Please refer also to section 4.5 Special precaution for use in animals.
Contraindications
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
Adverse reactions
Dogs
Very common (>1 animal / 10 animals treated): Apnoea
Common (1 to 10 animals / 100 animals treated): Excitation; Arrhythmia, Bradycardia, Hypotension, Hypertensionᵃ; Emesis, Hypersalivation, Retching; Paddling, Myoclonus, Nystagmus, Opisthotonus, Recovery prolongedᵇ; Sneezing; Face/nose rubbing
Uncommon (1 to 10 animals / 1 000 animals treated): Injection site painᶜ; Hyperglycemia
ᵃIf propofol is used without premedication as a sole agent in induction of anaesthesia, a short transient increase of arterial blood pressure can be observed.
ᵇSlow recovery
ᶜAfter intravenous administration
Cats
Very common (>1 animal / 10 animals treated): Apnoea
Common (1 to 10 animals / 100 animals treated): Excitation; Arrhythmia, Bradycardia, Hypotension; Emesis, Hypersalivation, Retching; Paddling, Myoclonus, Nystagmus, Opisthotonos, Recovery prolonged; Sneezing; Face/nose rubbing
Uncommon (1 to 10 animals / 1 000 animals treated): Injection site painᵃ; Diarrhoeaᵇ; Facial oedemaᵇ,ᶜ; Hyperglycemia, Heinz body anaemiaᵇ; Anorexiaᵇ
ᵃAfter intravenous administartion.
ᵇIn cats undergoing repeated anaesthesia. Limiting repeated anaesthesia to intervals of more than 48 hours will reduce the likelihood. The effects are generally transient and resolve on their own.
ᶜMild facial oedema.
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 also section 16 of the package leaflet for contact details.
Warnings
Special precautions for use in animals
During induction of anaesthesia, mild hypotension and transient apnoea may occur. When using the veterinary medicinal product, facilities for the maintenance of a patent airway, artificial ventilation and oxygen enrichment must be available. Following induction of anaesthesia, the use of an endotracheal tube is recommended. Increased levels of carbon dioxide in blood have been reported with increased duration of propofol anaesthesia. It is advisable to administer supplemental oxygen during maintenance of anaesthesia. In addition the need for assisted ventilation should be considered during prolonged anaesthesia.
If the veterinary medicinal product is injected too rapidly, cardiopulmonary depression may occur (apnoea, bradycardia, hypotension).
As with other intravenous anaesthetics, caution should be exercised in dogs and cats with cardiac, respiratory, renal or hepatic impairment, or in hypovolaemic or debilitated animals.
Propofol may increase blood glucose metabolism and insulin secretion in healthy dogs. In the absence of safety data in diabetic animals, use only after a benefit/risk assessment by the veterinarian.
Care should be taken when administering the veterinary medicinal product to patients with hypoproteinaemia, hyperlipidaemia or very thin animals since these animals may be more susceptible to adverse effects.
The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established in dogs or cats younger than 4 months and should be used in these animals only according to the risk/benefit assessment by the responsible veterinarian.
It has been reported that the clearance of propofol is slower in overweight/obese animals and dogs over 8 years of age. Extra care should be taken when administering the veterinary medicinal product to these animals; in particular, a lower dose of propofol may be adequate for induction and maintenance in such cases. Sighthounds have been reported to show a slower clearance of propofol and may have a slightly longer duration of recovery from anaesthesia compared to other breeds of dog.
Propofol does not have analgesic properties, therefore supplementary analgesic agents should be provided in cases where procedures are anticipated to be painful. When propofol is used concomitantly with opioids, an anticholinergic agent (e.g. atropine) may be used in cases of bradycardia according to the benefit/risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian. See section 4.8.
Use aseptic techniques when administering the veterinary medicinal product.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
Propofol is a potent general anaesthetic drug and particular care should be taken to avoid accidental self-injection. A guarded needle should preferably be used until the moment of injection.
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.
This veterinary medicinal product may cause hypersensitivity (allergy) reactions in those that are already sensitised to propofol, soya or egg. People with known hypersensitivity to these substances should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product.
Avoid contact with the skin and eyes as the veterinary medicinal product can cause irritation.
Wash off splashes from skin or eyes immediately with plenty of fresh water. If irritation persists, seek medical advice and show the package leaflet/label to the physician.
To the physician:
Do not leave the patient unattended. Maintain airways and give symptomatic and supportive treatment.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment
Not applicable.
Other precautions
Not applicable.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
Pregnancy and lactation:
The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy (in foetuses/neonates) and during lactation. Propofol has been safely used in dogs for the induction of anaesthesia prior to delivery of puppies by caesarean section. Propofol crosses through the placenta and the foetus blood-brain barrier, thus during the period of brain development it may adversely affect the neurological development in foetuses and neonates. Owing to the risk of neonatal death, the use of propofol for the maintenance of anaesthesia during caesarean section is not recommended.
Only use according to the benefit-risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian.
Interactions
Propofol may be used in association with premedicants, e.g. atropine, glycopyrrolate, α-2 agonists (medetomidine, dexmedetomidine), acepromazine, benzodiazepines (diazepam, midazolam); inhalational agents (e.g. halothane, isoflurane, sevoflurane, enflurane and nitrous oxide); and analgesic agents such as pethidine and buprenorphine.
The veterinary medicinal product may be administered parallel to all intravenous fluids via e.g. a Y-piece positioned near the injection site. The veterinary medicinal product can be diluted with 5% glucose infusion solution. Compatibility studies with other infusion solutions (e.g. NaCl or lactated Ringer’s solution) have not been conducted with this veterinary medicinal product.
The concurrent use of sedative or analgesic drugs is likely to reduce the dose of propofol required to induce and maintain anaesthesia. See section 4.9.
Concomitant use of propofol and opioids may cause significant respiratory depression and a profound decrease in heart rate. In cats, concurrent use of propofol and ketamine have been reported to cause apnoea more frequently than propofol and other premedicants. To reduce the risk of apnoea, propofol should be administered slowly over 20–60 seconds. See also section 4.5.
Co-administration of propofol and opioid (e.g. fentanyl, alfentanil) infusions for maintenance of general anaesthesia may result in a prolonged recovery. Cardiac arrest has been observed in dogs that received propofol followed by alfentanil.
Administration of propofol with other medicinal products that are metabolised by cytochrome P450 (isoenzyme 2B11 in the dog) such as chloramphenicol, ketoconazole and loperamide reduces propofol clearance and prolongs recovery from anaesthesia.
Overdose
Accidental overdose is likely to cause cardio-respiratory depression. In such cases, ensure the airways are open and initiate assisted or controlled ventilation with oxygen, administering pressor agents and intravenous fluids to support cardiovascular function. In dogs, bolus doses greater than 10 mg/kg may cause cyanosis. Mydriasis may also be observed. Cyanosis and mydriasis serve as an indication that supplemental oxygen is necessary. Death has been reported at bolus doses of 19.5 mg/kg in cats and 20 mg/kg in dogs.
Special warnings
The veterinary medicinal product is a stable emulsion. Prior to use, the veterinary medicinal product should be inspected visually for absence of visible droplets or extraneous foreign particles or phase separation, and discarded if present. Do not use if evidence of phase separation remains after gentle shaking.
If the veterinary medicinal product is injected too slowly an adequate plane of anaesthesia may not be achieved due to failure to reach the appropriate threshold of pharmacological activity.
Withdrawal period
Not applicable.
Incompatibilities
The veterinary medicinal product can be diluted with 5% glucose infusion solution. Compatibility studies with other infusion solutions (e.g. NaCl or lactated Ringer’s solution) have not been conducted with this veterinary medicinal product.
Immediate packaging
Type I clear glass vial (20, 50 and 100 ml) with a grey, siliconised bromobutyl rubber stopper and an aluminium crimp.
Pack sizes: 1x20 ml, 5x20 ml, 1x50 ml, 1x100 ml
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Storage
Do not freeze. Keep the vial in the outer carton.
Shelf life
Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 years.
Shelf life after first opening the immediate packaging: use immediately.
Disposal of unused product
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater.
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 06043/5005
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION
17 March 2020
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
October 2023
11 CLASSIFICATION OF VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCTS
Veterinary medicinal product subject to prescription.
Approved 19 March 2024
Registration holder
Orion Corporation
Orionintie 1
FI-02200 Espoo
Finland
Regulations
- Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/2033), Schedule 32
Sources
- VMD Product Information Database: Propomitor 10 mg/ml Emulsion for Injection/Infusion for Dogs and Cats, 06043/5005
- The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3 (categories of veterinary medicinal products)
- Summary of Product Characteristics: Propomitor 10 mg/ml Emulsion for Injection/Infusion for Dogs and Cats
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