Butorphanol

Butorphanol is an opioid analgesic commonly used for pain management and sedation. Butorphanol is commonly used for pain relief in dogs, cats, and horses, particularly for short-term control of visceral pain (e.g., colic in horses) or post-surgical pain management. It is often used in combination with other sedatives or anesthetics. Read more

Butorphanol is an opioid analgesic commonly used for pain management and sedation. Butorphanol is commonly used for pain relief in dogs, cats, and horses, particularly for short-term control of visceral pain (e.g., colic in horses) or post-surgical pain management. It is often used in combination with other sedatives or anesthetics.

Essential insights

• Partial agonist-antagonist at opioid receptors: Butorphanol acts as a partial agonist at kappa-opioid receptors and as an antagonist at mu-opioid receptors. Its kappa-agonist activity provides analgesia, particularly for mild to moderate pain, while the mu-antagonist action reduces the risk of respiratory depression and dependence compared to full mu-opioid agonists.
• Sedation: Butorphanol also induces sedation through its effects on the central nervous system, making it useful for pre-anesthetic sedation or mild tranquilization in animals.