Anaesthetics and Analgesics

For Dogs, Cats and Horses

To be used for analgesia and restraint in horses, and analgesia and anaesthetic premedication in dogs and cats.

Active ingredient: Methadone Hydrochloride 10mg/ml.

(PLEASE TAKE NOTE: This product is a controlled item and can only be distributed to registered veterinary clinics and hospitals. We will require a printed LPO with stamp, signature & order date before item is dispatched).

Pack size: 20ml

Indications for use: Analgesia and restraint in horses, and analgesia and anaesthetic premedication in dogs and cats. Analgesia peaks between 10 and 20 minutes after administration and persists for three to five hours.

• Horses: Analgesia and restraint. When methadone is used in combination with acetylpromazine injection, it is an effective agent of restraint and analgesia, facilitating treatment of wounds, handling and loading of difficult animals, suturing, laryngoscopy, castration and minor surgical procedures. Following intravenous (IV) administration, the onset of action is rapid and clinical effect is usually sufficient to begin the procedure within three minutes. Horses rarely become recumbent or ataxic after
  methadone-acetylpromazine administration, even at high doses. Clinical doses produce a somnolent but aware state in which the animal is tractable, placid and sufficiently coordinated to minimise risk of injury to animal or operator. Methadone may be employed as a premedicant to xylazine sedation or barbiturate or ketamine anaesthesiato provide effective analgesia and restraint during painful procedures.
• Dogs: Analgesia and premedication. Ilium Methadone Injection is used in premedication of barbiturate anaesthesia. Barbiturates have extremely poor analgesic properties, even at high dose rates. Methadone premedication of barbiturate anaesthesia smooths induction and greatly minimises the risk of drug toxicity by enabling the dose of barbiturate to be halved.
• Cats: Methadone is used as a premedicant for inhalational anaesthesia. Compatibility with acepromazine and propofol has been demonstrated. Repeat doses of methadone for analgesia can be given at three time points with five hour intervals. 

Dosage: Follow package insert carefully for species and bodyweight specific, detailed instructions.

Storage: Use the contents of the vial within 90 days of initial broaching and discard the unused portion. Storage below 30°C (room temperature). Protect from light.