Torbugesic vet.
Active substance
ATC code
Species
Horse, dog, cat
Indications
HORSE
As an analgesic
Torbugesic Injection is a centrally acting analgesic and may be used for the relief of moderate to severe pain in the horse. Clinical studies in the horse have shown that Torbugesic Injection alleviates abdominal pain, associated with torsion, impaction, intussusception, parturition, and spasmodic and tympanic colic.
As a sedative
When given after the administration of detomidine hydrochloride:
Clinical studies have shown that this combination produces a profound sedation in the horse. The degree of sedation achieved rendered horses unaffected by sound, tactile stimuli, or any surrounding activity.
The sedative combination of Torbugesic Injection and detomidine hydrochloride has been successfully used for the following procedures: radiography, clipping, wound suturing, dentistry, standing castration, hoof care, rectal examination, and passing a stomach tube.
Profound sedation is also achieved using Torbugesic after the administration of romifidine.
DOG
As an analgesic:
For the relief of moderate to severe pain in dogs. Clinical studies have shown that Torbugesic Injection can provide suitable analgesia after a variety of surgical procedures such as orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery.
As a sedative in combination with medetomidine hydrochloride:
For sedation in conjunction with medetomidine hydrochloride. Although sedation can occur with Torbugesic Injection alone, clinical studies have verified that deep to profound sedation is achieved by Torbugesic Injection in conjunction with a dose range of medetomidine making it suitable for a range of procedures including ear cleaning, wound management, anal gland flush, cast application, radiography, and (at the higher dose rate) as a premedicant to ketamine anaesthesia (see below).
As a pre-anaesthetic:
It has also been shown that pre-anaesthetic use of Torbugesic Injection has resulted in a dose-related reduction in the dose of thiopentone sodium needed to induce anaesthesia, which will also reduce the risk of anaesthetic respiratory depression.
Clinical studies have verified that the use of Torbugesic Injection in conjunction with acepromazine provides a suitable analgesic and sedative premedicant to general anaesthesia. The dose of Torbugesic can be adjusted according to the level of analgesia required. The use of the combination has resulted in a dose related reduction in the dose of either thiopentone sodium or propofol needed to induce anaesthesia.
As an anaesthetic in combination with medetomidine and ketamine: Torbugesic Injection may be used as a triple anaesthetic combination with medetomidine and ketamine. This provides surgical anaesthesia suitable for a range of procedures including castrations and spays.
CAT
As an analgesic:
Torbugesic Injection may be used for the relief of pain in the cat. Pre-operative use of Torbugesic Injection can provide analgesia during surgery. Clinical studies have demonstrated that Torbugesic Injection can provide analgesia after a variety of surgical procedures such as spays, orthopaedic, and soft tissue surgery.
As a sedative in combination with medetomidine hydrochloride:
Although no sedation occurs when using Torbugesic alone in the cat, clinical studies have verified that profound sedation is achieved by using Torbugesic Injection in conjunction with medetomidine, making it suitable for radiography, fracture examination/casting, dematting, ear cleaning, wound management, and other minor procedures.
As an anaesthetic in combination with medetomidine hydrochloride and ketamine: Torbugesic Injection may be used as a triple anaesthetic combination with medetomidine and ketamine. This provides surgical anaesthesia suitable for a range of procedures including castrations and spays.
Dose to be administered and administration route
HORSE
For analgesia:
For use at a dose rate of 5 ml per 500 kg, equivalent to 0.1 mg butorphanol/kg bodyweight by intravenous injection. The dose may be repeated as required.
Analgesic effects are seen within 15 minutes of injection.
Torbugesic for Equine Analgesia - (IV)
Weight of Horse – kg | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 | 300 | 350 | 400 | 450 | 500 | 550 |
Dose of Torbugesic (10 mg/ml) – mls | 0.50 | 1.00 | 1.50 | 2.00 | 2.50 | 3.00 | 3.50 | 4.00 | 4.50 | 5.00 | 5.50 |
For sedation in combination with detomidine hydrochloride:
A dose rate of 0.1 ml DomosedanTM/100 kg (equivalent to 0.012 mg/kg detomidine hydrochloride) should be given intravenously followed within 5 minutes by a dose rate of 0.025 mg/kg butorphanol intravenously (equivalent to 0.25 ml Torbugesic Injection/100 kg).
Clinical experience has shown that a total dose rate of 0.5 ml Domosedan and 1.0 ml Torbugesic Injection affords effective, safe sedation in horses above 200 kg bodyweight.
Torbugesic and detomidine Combination for Equine Sedation - (IV)
Weight of horse – kg | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 | 300 | 350 | 400 | 450 | 500 | 550 | ||||||||||||
Dose of detomidine (10 mg/ml) – mls | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.20 | 0.25 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | ||||||||||||
Dose of Torbugesic (10 mg/ml) - mls | 0.10 | 0.25 | 0.40 | 0.50 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | ||||||||||||
NB. Detomidine should be administered up to 5 minutes before the Torbugesic dose.
For sedation in combination with romifidine:
A dose of 0.4-1.2 ml SedivetTM per 100 kg bodyweight (equivalent to 40-120 µg romifidine/kg) followed by 0.2 ml Torbugesic per 100 kg bodyweight (equivalent to 20 µg butorphanol/kg) should be administered intravenously.
Torbugesic and romifidine Combination for Equine Sedation - (IV)
Weight of horse - kg | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 | 300 | 350 | 400 | 450 | 500 | 550 |
*Dose of romifidine (10 mg/ml) - mls | 0.30 | 0.60 | 0.90 | 1.20 | 1.50 | 1.80 | 2.10 | 2.40 | 2.70 | 3.00 | 3.30 |
Dose of Torbugesic (10 mg/ml) - mls | 0.10 | 0.20 | 0.30 | 0.40 | 0.50 | 0.60 | 0.70 | 0.80 | 0.90 | 1.00 | 1.10 |
*Above example based on a dose rate of 60 µg romifidine/kg bodyweight.
NB. Romifidine should be administered up to 5 minutes before the Torbugesic dose.
DOG
For analgesia:
Administer by intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injection using aseptic technique.
Rapid IV injection should be avoided.
Dose rate: 0.2-0.3 ml/10 kg (equivalent to 0.2-0.3 mg butorphanol per kg) bodyweight. Torbugesic Injection should be administered before terminating anaesthesia to provide analgesia in the recovery phase. Analgesic effects are seen within 15 minutes. For continuous analgesia the dose may be repeated as required.
Torbugesic for Canine Analgesia - (IV, IM, or SC)
Weight of dog - kg | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 40 | |
# Dose of Torbugesic (10 mg/ml) - mls | 0.03 | 0.07 | 0.10 | 0.30 | 0.40 | 0.50 | 0.60 | 0.80 | 1.00 | |
# Based on a mean dose rate of 0.25 mg butorphanol/kg
For sedation in combination with medetomidine hydrochloride:
Torbugesic Injection should be administered at 0.1 ml/10 kg bodyweight (equivalent to 0.1 mg butorphanol/kg) together with 0.1-0.25 ml DomitorTM/10 kg bodyweight (equivalent to 10-25 µg medetomidine/kg), depending on degree of sedation required, both by intramuscular or intravenous injection. Allow 20 minutes for profound sedation to develop before commencing the procedure.
Domitor and Torbugesic may be combined and administered in the same syringe. However the vials should have separate needles inserted for withdrawal to minimise the risk of cross contamination.
Reversal with 0.1-0.25 ml AntisedanTM/10 kg bodyweight (equivalent to 50-125 µg atipamezole/kg) results in sternal recumbency approximately 5 minutes later and standing approximately a further 2 minutes later.
Torbugesic and medetomidine Combination for Canine Sedation - (IM or IV)
For sedation and as a premedicant to barbiturate anaesthesia
Weight of dog - kg | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 40 |
# Dose of Torbugesic (10 mg/ml) - mls | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.15 | 0.20 | 0.25 | 0.30 | 0.40 |
# Dose of medetomidine (1 mg/ml) - mls | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.15 | 0.20 | 0.25 | 0.30 | 0.40 |
# Based on a dose rate of 0.1 mg butorphanol/kg and 10 µg medetomidine/kg
Torbugesic and medetomidine Combination for Canine Sedation - (IM or IV)
For profound sedation and as a premedicant to ketamine anaesthesia
Weight of dog - kg | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 40 |
* Dose of Torbugesic (10 mg/ml) - mls | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.15 | 0.20 | 0.25 | 0.30 | 0.40 |
* Dose of medetomidine (1 mg/ml) - mls | 0.03 | 0.08 | 0.13 | 0.25 | 0.38 | 0.50 | 0.63 | 0.75 | 1.00 |
* Based on a dose rate of 0.1 mg butorphanol/kg and 25 µg medetomidine/kg
For use as a pre-anaesthetic:
Used as a pre-anaesthetic, the Torbugesic Injection dose should be reduced to 0.10.2 ml/10 kg (0.1-0.2 mg butorphanol/kg), given 15 minutes prior to induction.
Torbugesic for Canine analgesia Pre-Anaesthetic - (IV, IM, or SC)
Weight of dog - kg | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 40 |
# Dose of Torbugesic (10 mg/ml) - mls | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.15 | 0.20 | 0.25 | 0.30 | 0.40 |
# Pre-anaesthetic doses:- Based on a dose rate of 0.10 mg butorphanol/kg
For use as a pre-anaesthetic in combination with acepromazine:
Torbugesic Injection should be administered at 0.1 ml/10 kg bodyweight (equivalent to 0.1 mg butorphanol/kg) together with 0.1 ml of 2 mg/ml acepromazine/10 kg bodyweight (equivalent to 0.02 mg acepromazine/kg) by intramuscular or intravenous injection.
Torbugesic and acepromazine may be combined and administered in the same syringe. However the vials should have separate needles inserted for withdrawal to minimise the risk of cross contamination.
Allow at least 20 minutes for onset of action but the time between premedication and induction is flexible from 20-120 minutes.
The dose of butorphanol may be increased to 0.2 mg/kg (equivalent to 0.2 ml Torbugesic /10 kg bodyweight) if the animal is already experiencing pain before the procedure commences, or if a higher plane of analgesia is required during surgery.
Torbugesic and acepromazine Combination for Canine Analgesia and Sedation PreAnaesthetic – (IM or IV)
Weight of dog - kg | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 40 |
Dose of *Torbugesic (10 mg/ml) – mls:- | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.15 | 0.20 | 0.25 | 0.30 | 0.40 |
Dose of **acepromazine (2 mg/ml) – mls:- | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.15 | 0.20 | 0.25 | 0.30 | 0.40 |
* Based on a dose rate of 0.1 mg butorphanol/kg bodyweight ** Based on a dose rate of 0.02 mg acepromazine/kg bodyweight
For anaesthesia in combination with medetomidine and ketamine:
Administer Torbugesic Injection at 0.1 ml/10 kg (equivalent to 0.1 mg butorphanol/kg) and Domitor at 0.25 ml/10 kg (equivalent to 25 µg medetomidine/kg) by intramuscular injection.
Domitor and Torbugesic may be combined and administered in the same syringe. However the vials should have separate needles inserted for withdrawal to minimise the risk of cross contamination.
Dogs become recumbent in approximately 6 minutes and lose their pedal reflex in approximately 14 minutes.
Ketamine (100 mg/ml) should be administered 15 minutes following the first injection at 0.5 ml/10 kg (equivalent to 5 mg ketamine/kg) by intramuscular injection. The pedal reflex returns approximately 53 minutes following administration of the ketamine injection. Sternal recumbency is attained approximately 35 minutes later followed by standing a further 36 minutes later.
Torbugesic, medetomidine, and ketamine for Canine Anaesthesia - (IM)
Weight of dog - kg | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 40 |
* Dose of Torbugesic (10 mg/ml) - mls | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.15 | 0.20 | 0.25 | 0.30 | 0.40 |
* Dose of medetomidine (1 mg/ml) - mls | 0.03 | 0.08 | 0.13 | 0.25 | 0.38 | 0.50 | 0.63 | 0.75 | 1.00 |
ADMINISTER TORBUGESIC AND MEDETOMIDINE BY INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION AT THE ABOVE DOSE RATES | |||||||||
WAIT 15 MINUTES BEFORE ADMINISTERING THE KETAMINE BY IM INJECTION AT THE DOSE RATES BELOW | |||||||||
*** Dose of ketamine (100 mg/ml) - mls | 0.05 | 0.15 | 0.25 | 0.50 | 0.75 | 1.00 | 1.25 | 1.50 | 2.00 |
* Based on a dose rate of 0.1 mg butorphanol/kg.
** Based on a dose rate of 25 µg medetomidine/kg.
*** Based on a dose rate of 5 mg ketamine/kg
NB: It is NOT advisable to reverse this combination in the dog with atipamezole.
CAT
For pre-operative analgesia:
0.2 ml/5 kg bodyweight (equivalent to 0.4 mg butorphanol/kg), should be administered either by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. Clinical studies have shown that administering the butorphanol dose 5 minutes prior to induction with either acepromazine/ketamine or xylazine/ketamine given intramuscularly will provide analgesia when surgery commences. The arousal time will not be significantly altered. With intravenous induction agents, butorphanol should be administered 1530 minutes prior to administration of the anaesthetic.
For post-operative analgesia:
0.2 ml/5 kg bodyweight (equivalent to 0.4 mg butorphanol/kg), should be administered by either subcutaneous or intramuscular injection 15 minutes prior to recovery. Alternatively, 0.05 ml per 5 kg (equivalent to 0.1 mg butorphanol/kg), by intravenous injection can be used.
Torbugesic for Feline Analgesia
Weight of cat - kg | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 |
IM or SC | Dose (ml) # | ||||||||
Torbugesic Injection (10 mg/ml) | 0.04 | 0.06 | 0.08 | 0.10 | 0.12 | 0.14 | 0.16 | 0.18 | 0.20 |
IV | Dose (ml) ## | ||||||||
Torbugesic Injection (10 mg/ml) | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.05 |
# Based on a mean dose rate of 0.4 mg butorphanol/kg.
## Based on a mean dose rate of 0.1 mg butorphanol/kg.
For sedation in combination with medetomidine hydrochloride:
Torbugesic Injection should be administered at 0.2 ml/5 kg bodyweight (equivalent to 0.4 mg butorphanol/kg) together with 0.25 ml Domitor/5 kg bodyweight (equivalent to 50 µg medetomidine/kg) both by either intramuscular or subcutaneous injection.
Domitor and Torbugesic may be combined and administered in the same syringe. However the vials should have separate needles inserted for withdrawal to minimise the risk of cross contamination.
Local anaesthetic infiltration should be used for wound suturing. Reversal with 0.125 ml Antisedan/5 kg bodyweight (equivalent to 125 µg atipamezole/kg) results in sternal recumbency approximately 4 minutes later and standing 1 minute later.
Torbugesic and medetomidine combination for Feline Sedation - (IM or SC)
Weight of cat - kg | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 |
* Dose of Torbugesic (10 mg/ml) - mls | 0.04 | 0.06 | 0.08 | 0.10 | 0.12 | 0.14 | 0.16 | 0.18 | 0.20 |
** Dose of medetomidine | 0.05 | 0.08 | 0.10 | 0.13 | 0.15 | 0.18 | 0.20 | 0.23 | 0.25 |
(1 mg/ml) - mls |
* Based on a dose rate of 0.4 mg butorphanol/kg.
** Based on a dose rate of 50 µg medetomidine/kg
For anaesthesia in combination with medetomidine and ketamine: Intramuscular
Administer Torbugesic Injection at 0.2 ml/5 kg (equivalent to 0.4 mg butorphanol/kg), 0.4 ml Domitor/5 kg (equivalent to 80 µg medetomidine/kg) and ketamine (100 mg/ml) at 0.25 ml/5 kg (equivalent to 5 mg ketamine/kg).
Domitor and Torbugesic (and Ketaset – where registered) may be combined and administered in the same syringe. However the vials should have separate needles inserted for withdrawal to minimise the risk of cross contamination.
Cats become recumbent in 2-3 minutes following injection. Loss of the pedal reflex occurs 3 minutes post-injection.
Torbugesic, medetomidine, and ketamine for Feline Anaesthesia - (IM)
Weight of cat - kg | 1.5 | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 |
* Dose of Torbugesic (10 mg/ml) - mls | 0.06 | 0.08 | 0.10 | 0.12 | 0.14 | 0.16 | 0.18 | 0.20 |
** Dose of medetomidine (1 mg/ml) - mls | 0.12 | 0.16 | 0.20 | 0.24 | 0.28 | 0.32 | 0.36 | 0.40 |
*** Dose of ketamine (100 mg/ml) - mls | 0.08 | 0.10 | 0.13 | 0.15 | 0.18 | 0.20 | 0.23 | 0.25 |
* Based on a dose rate of 0.4 mg butorphanol/kg.
** Based on a dose rate of 80 µg medetomidine/kg
*** Based on a dose rate of 5 mg ketamine/kg
Reversal with 0.2 ml Antisedan/5 kg (equivalent to 200 µg atipamezole/kg) results in return of the pedal reflex 2 minutes later, sternal recumbency 6 minutes later, and standing 31 minutes later.
Intravenous
Administer Torbugesic Injection at 0.05 ml/5 kg (equivalent to 0.1 mg butorphanol/kg), 0.2 ml Domitor/5 kg (equivalent to 40 µg medetomidine/kg) and ketamine (100 mg/ml), depending on depth of anaesthesia required, at a dose rate of 0.06-0.13 ml/5 kg bodyweight (equivalent to 1.25-2.5 mg ketamine/kg) by intravenous injection.
Domitor and Torbugesic (and Ketaset – where registered) may be combined and administered in the same syringe. However the vials should have separate needles inserted for withdrawal to minimise the risk of cross contamination.
Approximate time scales when using the triple combination intravenously
*Ketamine* Dose Img/kg | Time to recumbency | Time to loss of pedal reflex | Time to return of pedal reflex | Time to sternal recumbency | Time to standing |
n1.25 | 32 secs | 62 secs | 26 mins | 54 mins | 74 mins |
2.50 | 22 secs | 39 secs | 28 mins | 62 mins | 83mins |
conjunction with butorphanol at 0.1 mg/kg and medetomidine at 40 µg/kg
Torbugesic, medetomidine, and ketamine for Feline Anaesthesia - (IV)
Dosage chart for 2.5 mg ketamine/kg (duration of anaesthesia approximately 28 minutes).
Weight of cat - kg | 1.5 | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | ||||||||||
* Dose of Torbugesic (10 mg/ml) - mls | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.05 | ||||||||||
** Dose of medetomidine (1 mg/ml) - mls | 0.06 | 0.08 | 0.10 | 0.12 | 0.14 | 0.16 | 0.18 | 0.20 | ||||||||||
*** Dose of ketamine (100 mg/ml) - mls | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.06 | 0.08 | 0.09 | 0.10 | 0.11 | 0.13 | ||||||||||
* Based on a dose rate of 0.1 mg butorphanol/kg.
** Based on a dose rate of 40 µg medetomidine/kg
*** Based on a dose rate of 2.5 mg ketamine/kg
Reversal with 0.1 ml Antisedan/5 kg (equivalent to 100 µg atipamezole/kg) results in return of the pedal reflex 4 minutes later, sternal recumbency 7 minutes later, and standing 18 minutes later.
Adverse reactions
There may be some pain on intramuscular injection.
HORSE
The most commonly observed side effect is slight ataxia which may persist for 3-10 minutes. Mild to severe ataxia may be encountered in combination with detomidine, but clinical studies have shown that horses are unlikely to collapse. Normal precautions should be observed to prevent patient self-injury.
Mild sedation may occur in approximately 15% of horses following the administration of Torbugesic Injection as a sole agent.
DOG
Respiratory depression may occur.
Transient ataxia, anorexia, and diarrhoea have been reported as occurring rarely.
CAT
Respiratory depression may occur. Mydriasis is likely to occur.