Acepromazine
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(for veterinary information only)

BRAND NAME:  PROMACE

AVAILABLE IN      
5 mg, 10 mg & 25 mg   
TABLETS & INJECTABLE

HOW THIS MEDICATION IS USED

Although Acepromazine has several actions that might be useful, it is mostly used as a tranquilizer.  Strong anti-nauseal properties make this medication an excellent choice for traveling pets prone to both anxiety and motion sickness.

Acepromazine also can stabilize the rhythm of the heart in certain situations. This is especially helpful for highly sensitive patients who gets so frightened they can actually suffer a "heart attack" from fear. Acepromazine not only allays the fear through tranquilization but helps keeps the heart rhythm stable.

Acepromazine is commonly used to prepare animals for general anesthesia.

Acepromazine is also classified as an antihistamine; however, due to its healing tranquilizing properties it would not be used as such.

In summary, Acepromazine is used for:

  • Tranquilization
  • Motion sickness
  • Alleviating Fear

SIDE EFFECTS

Acepromazine is a long lasting tranquilizer. It should be expected to last 6-8 hours.

In extremely rare instances, some pets exhibit aggressive behavior as a reaction to Acepromazine.

Acepromazine drops blood pressure by dilating blood vessels. The strong tranquilization effect precludes the use of Acepromazine in the treatment of high blood pressure.

INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER DRUGS

Acepromazine should not be used with Organophosphate insecticides. This type of insecticide is not commonly used anymore but might be expected in flea collars and in outdoor flea treatment products. If you are not sure if an insecticide is organophosphate based, please ask your veterinarian.

Giving Acepromazine in conjunction with antacids will decrease the effect of Acepromazine.

The use of Acepromazine in conjunction with Quinidine (a heart medication) could lead to adverse heart reactions.

CONCERNS AND CAUTIONS

  • Tablets should be stored where they are not exposed to light.
     
  • Acepromazine is not consistently absorbed into the body when given orally. This means that some pets are hardly tranquilized while others are heavily sedated. More consistent results are obtained with the injectable product.
     
  • Acepromazine is best not used in patients where circulation is in question. Acepromazine dilates blood vessels which leads to a drop in blood pressure. Injured patients or patients in shock should not have this medication.
     
  • Acepromazine should not be used in patients with seizure disorders. Acepromazine lowers the threshold to seizures. This is not important in normal patients but could be important in epileptic pets.
     
  • Acepromazine should not be used in anemic patients. By dilating the blood vessels in the spleen, Acepromazine use leads to increased red blood cell storage in the spleen, leading to an approximately 5% drop in red cell count. This is not important in normal pets but if there has already been a blood loss this drop in red cell count could be significant.
     
  • Acepromazine should not be used in patients with known liver disease. Acepromazine is removed from the body by the liver and if the liver is not working, tranquilization can be markedly prolonged.

IS THE BOXER SENSITIVE TO ACEPROMAZINE SIDE EFFECTS?

The answer is that no one knows for sure and no hard proof or scientific studies are available for review. Several anectdotal reports exist of boxers dangerously dropping their heart rates after routine doses of acepromazine. This had generally been thought to be chiefly a problem in the U.K. for a group of genetically related dogs, but recently the University of California at Davis Veterinary School Anesthesia Service issued a memo which led more U.S. veterinarians to take the rumors more seriously. In this memo, the anesthesia service describes three individual boxers suffering adverse reactions (respiratory arrest in one and severe drop in heart rate in two) and suggests that acepromazine be considered contraindicated in this breed.

While it appears to be prudent to avoid acepromazine in the boxer, it is important to realize that acepromazine has been used widely in boxers with no problems and that adverse events are unusual.