Acepromazine for Dogs: Usage, Dosage, Safety & FAQ (Vet Answer)

Tranquilizers have an important role in our veterinary patients. Tranquilizers can make examinations safer and easier, make patients less reactive to stressful events, and even aid in anesthesia. Acepromazine specifically has many benefits, but it must be carefully used and prescribed by a veterinarian. Let’s get into the details below.

What Is Acepromazine?

Acepromazine is also known as Acepromazine maleate, Aceproject, PromAce, Acetazine, and Acetylpromazine. Acepromazine is a common tranquilizer used in veterinary medicine and is classified as a dopamine antagonist. A tranquilizer is a medication that can reduce anxiety without causing drowsiness. Most often, acepromazine is administered 30 to 60 minutes before a triggering event that may cause nervousness in animals, like loud noises and travel. Additionally, acepromazine can be used by veterinarians as part of a pre-anesthetic protocol, which minimizes gas anesthesia requirements.

Acepromazine has mild antiemetic, antiarrhythmic, and antihistamine benefits. However, it is not likely to be prescribed for these benefits. Acepromazine can also be beneficial at counteracting some effects of different toxicosis.

How Is Acepromazine Given?

Acepromazine is available to veterinarians as an injectable agent. It is also available in tablet form. The medication is available as 10-milligram and 25-milligram tablets in the United States. The tablet dose may vary depending on location.

Dose ranges of acepromazine vary greatly depending on the level of tranquilization wished to achieve. Additionally, the effects of acepromazine can be quite dramatic, so care must be taken to give the medication exactly as prescribed by your veterinarian. Acepromazine effects are long-lasting, typically averaging between 6 and 8 hours.

We recommend you consult a veterinarian for the best advice on which would be the best treatment for your pup.

What Happens if You Miss a Dose?

A dose of acepromazine should never be doubled up as results may be profound. If a dose is missed, skip the missed dose, or give the dose when it is remembered and plan the next dose accordingly.

Contraindications

• Certain Boxer dogs may be hypersensitive to the effects of acepromazine.
• Potentially avoid use in animals with clotting disorders.
• Administer with caution in animals receiving other CNS depressants.
• Caution must be used when administering acepromazine to dogs with an MDR-1 mutation.
• Use with caution in patients who are using local anesthetics.
• This medication should not be administered to animals exposed to organophosphates, strychnine, or procaine.
• Do not use in patients with severe heart disease, dehydration, or hypotension.

Drug Interactions

• Acepromazine may make the effects of other medications stronger.
• Care should be taken when administering acepromazine concurrently with other CNS depressants, as sedation may be profound.
• Acepromazine may exacerbate hypotension in dogs receiving drugs that lower blood pressure.
• Acepromazine may increase the effectiveness of certain antibacterial therapies.
• May result in abnormal heart rhythms if used concurrently with cisapride, ondansetron, or metronidazole.
• Antacids can decrease the effectiveness of acepromazine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Acepromazine a Good Long-Term Medication Option for My Anxiety-Ridden Dog?

No, most behaviorists do not recommend the use of acepromazine to combat chronic anxiety conditions.

Can I Administer This Medication to My Pet Safely When I Will Not Be Home to Observe Them?

No, your pet should not be left alone while on this medication. Some dogs may be sensitive to the medication and experience significant sedation and potentially hypotension. A caregiver must be present so that care can be sought in the event of an abnormal occurrence.

I Was Told That Acepromazine May Make It More Likely for My Dog to Experience Seizures. Should I Avoid Using It?

You should speak in detail regarding your concerns about seizures with your veterinarian. Historically, acepromazine was thought to lower seizure thresholds; however, this recently seems to have been disproved.

Conclusion

Acepromazine, belonging to a class of drugs called phenothiazines, is an effective tranquilizer. Acepromazine may be a reasonable option for anxiety relief in certain situations, like hospitalizations. Care must be taken to closely observe animals who have received acepromazine, as this medication can result in significant sedation and hypotension. This medication is only able to be dispensed by a veterinarian, and doses should be carefully administered according to prescribed instructions.

See also: 

• Ursodiol For Dogs: Usage, Dosage & Care

• Ursodiol for Dogs: Our Vet Explains the Usage, Dosage & Care

Featured Image Credit: Todorean-Gabriel, Shutterstock