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Acepromazine

PrescriptionCDSCO approved

Phenothiazine tranquilliser / sedative

Last reviewed 19 Apr 2026 · PetCare.AI Editorial Team

Species

Dog, Cat

Brands

3 available

Interactions

15 documented

Formulations

Mechanism of action

Blocks dopamine D2 receptors centrally; also has alpha-1 adrenergic blocking, antihistaminic, and antiserotonergic effects, producing sedation and anxiolysis

At a glance

Class

Phenothiazine tranquilliser / sedative

Schedule

Prescription

Storage

Store below 25°C, protect from light. Discoloured solution (yellow/brown) should not be used.

CDSCO (India)

Vet-approved — 1970-01

Dosing

🐕

Dog

Pre-anaesthetic sedation

Dose

0.01–0.05 mg/kg

Route

IV, IM, SC

Frequency

Single dose (15-20 min before induction)

Max dose

3 mg

Duration: Single dose; effects last 4-6 hours

Restraint / anxiolysis

Dose

0.025–0.1 mg/kg

Route

IM, SC, PO

Frequency

Single dose

Max dose

3 mg

Duration: As needed; effects last 4-8 hours

🐈

Cat

Pre-anaesthetic sedation

Dose

0.025–0.1 mg/kg

Route

IM, SC

Frequency

Single dose

Max dose

1 mg

Duration: Single dose

Educational reference only

This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Formulations

💉

Injectable — 1

Strength

10mg/mL

Available in India

💊

Tablet — 3

Strength

5mg

Available in India

Strength

10mg

Available in India

Strength

25mg

Available in India

Storage

Store below 25°C, protect from light. Discoloured solution (yellow/brown) should not be used.

Safety

Absolute contraindications — do not use

Boxers and brachycephalic breeds (high sensitivity)
Boxers are exquisitely sensitive — severe hypotension, bradycardia, and collapse reported. Brachycephalic breeds at higher risk of airway obstruction with sedation. Use alternative sedation.
BoxerBulldogPugFrench BulldogBoston Terrier
Seizure history
Lowers seizure threshold — contraindicated in epileptic patients
Hypovolaemia / shock
Alpha-1 blockade causes severe hypotension in hypovolaemic patients

Use with caution

Giant breeds or Greyhounds
May have exaggerated/prolonged response — use lower doses
Aggressive animals (alone)
May cause paradoxical aggression/disinhibition — combine with opioid

Adverse effects

Common

Sedation

Hypotension

Bradycardia

Penile prolapse (horses; occasional in large-breed dogs)

Serious

Severe hypotension

Collapse (Boxers)

Seizures in predisposed animals

Hypothermia

Monitoring parameters

Blood pressureHeart rateTemperatureSedation levelMucous membrane colour

Educational reference only

Interactions

Major — 5

Phenoxybenzamine

major

Both are alpha-adrenergic blockers; combined use may cause severe refractory hypotension

Management: Avoid concurrent use. If sedation needed, use alternative sedative (trazodone, gabapentin).

Adrenaline (Epinephrine)

major

Acepromazine blocks alpha-1 receptors — epinephrine's alpha effects are blocked while beta-2 vasodilation is unopposed, causing paradoxical worsening of hypotension ('epinephrine reversal').

Management: Do NOT use epinephrine to treat acepromazine-induced hypotension. Use norepinephrine or phenylephrine (pure alpha agonist) instead.

Xylazine

major

Both cause profound CNS depression and cardiovascular depression (xylazine: bradycardia/hypertension then hypotension; acepromazine: alpha-1 blockade/hypotension). Combined: severe unpredictable cardiovascular collapse.

Management: Do not combine. Use one sedative class only.

Medetomidine

major

Both cause profound sedation and cardiovascular depression via different mechanisms. Severe hypotension risk.

Management: Do not combine.

Phenylephrine

major

Acepromazine blocks alpha-1 receptors. Phenylephrine acts primarily on alpha-1 receptors. Acepromazine directly antagonizes phenylephrine's vasopressor effect.

Management: Phenylephrine will be less effective in acepromazine-sedated patients. Higher doses of phenylephrine or alternative vasopressor (vasopressin — V1 receptor, not alpha-1) may be needed.

Moderate — 10

Metoclopramide

moderate

Both are dopamine antagonists; additive extrapyramidal effects (tremors, restlessness)

Management: Avoid concurrent use. If needed, reduce doses and monitor for neurological signs.

Propofol

moderate

Additive CNS depression and hypotension; phenothiazine potentiates propofol effects

Management: Reduce propofol induction dose by 25-50% if acepromazine premedication used.

Trazodone

moderate

Additive CNS depression and hypotension

Management: Reduce doses of both if used together. Monitor for excessive sedation and hypotension.

Gabapentin

moderate

Additive CNS and sedative effects.

Management: Reduce doses when combining. Monitor sedation level.

Hydromorphone

moderate

Additive sedation, respiratory depression, and hypotension. Alpha-1 blockade (acepromazine) + opioid vasodilation/bradycardia.

Management: Intended premedication combination — reduce doses of both by 25-50%. Monitor BP and respiratory rate.

Amitriptyline

moderate

Both have alpha-adrenergic blocking properties (hypotension) and anticholinergic effects. Additive sedation and cardiovascular depression.

Management: Monitor blood pressure and heart rate. Reduce doses when combining. Watch for excessive sedation.

Hydroxyzine

moderate

Both cause CNS depression and have anticholinergic activity. Additive sedation and hypotension.

Management: Reduce doses of both. Monitor for excessive sedation.

Hydrocodone

moderate

Additive CNS depression and sedation. Hydrocodone + acepromazine: monitor for excessive sedation and respiratory depression.

Management: Reduce doses. Monitor respiratory rate and sedation.

Diphenhydramine

moderate

Both cause CNS depression and have anticholinergic activity. Additive sedation and hypotension.

Management: Reduce doses. Monitor sedation level.

Methocarbamol

moderate

Additive CNS depression. Both cause sedation — combined effect may be profound.

Management: Reduce doses of both. Monitor respiratory rate and sedation depth.

Educational reference only

Brands

International

PromAce

Boehringer Ingelheim

ACP

Vetoquinol

India

Acevet

Intas

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

›What is Acepromazine?

Acepromazine is a phenothiazine tranquilliser / sedative used in pets. Blocks dopamine D2 receptors centrally; also has alpha-1 adrenergic blocking, antihistaminic, and antiserotonergic effects, producing sedation and anxiolysis

›What is Acepromazine used for in pets?

Acepromazine is used in veterinary medicine for: Pre-anaesthetic sedation; Restraint / anxiolysis.

›What is the Acepromazine dose for dogs?

For dogs, Acepromazine is typically dosed as follows — Pre-anaesthetic sedation: 0.01–0.05 mg/kg IV/IM/SC Single dose (15-20 min before induction); Restraint / anxiolysis: 0.025–0.1 mg/kg IM/SC/PO Single dose. Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.

›What is the Acepromazine dose for cats?

For cats, Acepromazine is typically dosed as follows — Pre-anaesthetic sedation: 0.025–0.1 mg/kg IM/SC Single dose. Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.

›What are the side effects of Acepromazine?

Common: Sedation, Hypotension, Bradycardia, Penile prolapse (horses; occasional in large-breed dogs). Serious (call your vet immediately): Severe hypotension, Collapse (Boxers), Seizures in predisposed animals, Hypothermia.

›Does Acepromazine need a prescription?

Yes. Acepromazine is a prescription medication and should only be administered under veterinary supervision.

›When should Acepromazine not be used?

Do not use Acepromazine if: Boxers and brachycephalic breeds (high sensitivity); Seizure history; Hypovolaemia / shock.

Educational reference only

References

The PetCare.AI drug reference is built from 13 authoritative sources cited across 580 drug monographs.

Textbooks & handbooks — 5

Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
Withrow & MacEwen's Small Animal Clinical Oncology
Merck Veterinary Manual
NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats
Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Riviere & Papich)

Clinical guidelines & consensus — 4

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Guidelines
AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines
ASPCA Poison Control Guidelines
RECOVER CPR Guidelines

Journals & peer-reviewed studies — 2

EPIC Study (J Vet Intern Med 2016)
JVIM FAT CAT Study

Regulatory & approvals — 1

CDSCO Veterinary Drug Approval Registry (1969–2026)

Databases — 1

Washington State University VCPL MDR1 Database