Catosal

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Catosal

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Catosal

Catosal Quick Facts

Property Description
Active Ingredient Butaphosphan and Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
Form Sterile Solution for Injection
Pharmacological Class Metabolic Stimulant / Mineral Supplement
Manufacturer Elanco (or Bayer Animal Health, regionally)
Distinctive Feature Supports metabolism without hormonal or antibiotic action

What is Catosal? A Veterinary Metabolic Stimulant

Catosal is a specialized and widely recognized veterinary medicine formulated as a clear sterile injectable solution primarily for use in livestock and companion animals. It is classified as a non-prescription metabolic stimulant and tonic intended to assist animals during periods of high physiological demand or recovery. The product is authorized for use across various target species, including cattle, horses, and dogs, and is noted for its non-hormonal, non-antibiotic composition.

Composition: Organic Phosphorus and Vitamin B12 Source

The foundation of Catosal's efficacy lies in its combination of two active substances: the organic phosphorus compound Butaphosphan and Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12). Butaphosphan is a unique, readily available form of phosphorus essential for energy metabolism, while Cyanocobalamin is an essential B-vitamin required for healthy red blood cell formation and neurological function. This synergy supports the regeneration of damaged muscle tissue in animals and improves overall glucose utilization.

What is Catosal Used for? General Therapeutic Purpose

Catosal's general therapeutic purpose is to offer comprehensive metabolic support and serve as a restorative tonic during periods of deficiency, recovery, or high performance. It is used to help prevent and address various metabolic disorders and nutritional imbalances that occur during intense exertion, stress, or convalescence. Its role is to enhance overall body resistance and promote a quicker return to normal vitality, rather than treating specific infectious diseases.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH/NCBI Information on Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)

What side effects are possible with Catosal?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile for veterinary products containing Butaphosphan and Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) is based strictly on classifications found in official regulatory documents, such as the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).

Officially Classified Adverse Reactions

The regulatory labeling classifies potential adverse reactions by their frequency. The most commonly reported non-serious event is related to the method of administration, while severe systemic reactions are documented as extremely rare occurrences.

Classification Adverse Reaction Frequency Standard (SmPC)
Rare Pain at the injection site 1 but < 10 animals per 10,000 treated
Very Rare Circulatory shock (severe systemic reaction) < 1 animal per 10,000 treated

Serious Reactions and Systemic Safety

Circulatory shock is documented as a very rare but clinically significant serious adverse reaction, representing a potential severe, life-threatening systemic event. Regulatory documents classify this under Vascular or Immune System Disorders. Conversely, the product's high-level safety profile is noted to be characterized by the absence of known interactions with other veterinary medicinal products.

Population-Specific Safety Constraints

Official labeling defines specific populations where use is subject to a formal benefit-risk assessment by the prescriber:

  • Chronic renal insufficiency (Dogs): Use is conditional upon a professional benefit-risk evaluation.
  • Pregnancy and Lactation (Mares and Bitches): Safety has not been definitively established, requiring a benefit-risk assessment. Use is generally authorized for cows during these periods.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Official regulatory documentation specifies that overdose scenarios primarily require immediate action for accidental human exposure and note the potential for a rare, severe reaction associated with administration technique.

Overdose Feature Official Documentation Summary
Documented Manifestations Following administration of up to five times the recommended dose, studies showed minimal local effects, such as transient slight swelling at the injection site in dogs. No systemic adverse effects were reported in cattle at this high dosage.
Severe Outcome Risk A very rare systemic event, circulatory shock, is documented as an adverse outcome. This risk is associated with rapid intravenous administration of the product.

Official Emergency Action and Management

Regulatory authorities explicitly mandate that if accidental human self-injection occurs, the exposed person must seek medical advice immediately and present the package leaflet or label to the physician. This action constitutes the primary specified trigger for urgent medical intervention described in the labeling.

The official regulatory profile confirms that no specific antidote is known for the active ingredients, Butaphosphan and Cyanocobalamin. Therefore, the required medical procedure for managing any severe or sustained presentation of overdose is limited to symptomatic and supportive treatment. Furthermore, official data notes that no overdose information is available for horses, representing a regulatory data constraint.

Therapeutic Uses of Catosal

What Catosal Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Catosal is generally applied across therapeutic domains where systemic or localized discomfort and symptoms are driven by metabolic and nutritional stress. The combination is commonly used to help with metabolic or reproductive disorders in contexts where additional symptomatic support is appropriate.


Symptom Relief and Therapeutic Contexts

This injectable is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed, particularly for conditions involving acute or disruptive symptom patterns, such as pronounced general weakness, fatigue, and debilitation. It is used for managing symptoms related to deficiencies, including lack of appetite (anorexia), stunted growth, and those associated with decreased red blood cell formation and energy deficiency symptoms. By providing short-term symptomatic assistance, it contributes to easing the overall symptom load and supports general well-being during challenging phases.

The medication is considered relevant for easing symptoms that interfere with daily functioning, often used during phases of heightened symptoms related to major physiological events, such as around the time of calving in dairy cows.


Quick Fact: Support for Metabolic Strain

Catosal is commonly used to help with symptom clusters related to energy depletion, supporting animals during states of noticeable physiological strain after high exertion, illness, or labor.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility for Catosal

Catosal (Butaphosphan and Cyanocobalamin) is an officially regulated veterinary medicine whose use is strictly defined by regulatory documents. The product is for animal use only, and its use in humans is absolutely prohibited.

Contraindicated and Restricted Populations

  • Contraindicated: Use is strictly prohibited in animals with a known hypersensitivity to Butaphosphan, Cyanocobalamin, or any excipients in the formulation.
  • Conditional Use: Treatment is restricted and requires a veterinary benefit-risk assessment in dogs with chronic renal insufficiency.
  • Caution Required: Use in cats requires special caution and strict dose adherence due to concerns related to excipient metabolism.

Physiological and Age Eligibility

The product is permitted for use in designated target species, including cattle, horses, dogs, and cats, across both adult and young animals (such as calves and piglets). Use is permitted in cows during pregnancy and lactation. However, safety is not established in mares and bitches during these physiological states, rendering their use conditional upon veterinary evaluation.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Catosal is a veterinary product containing the organic phosphorus compound Butaphosphan and Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12). The official regulatory documentation for this combination, as reviewed by government authorities (such as the European Medicines Agency or national veterinary agencies), specifies a highly limited interaction profile.

Drug–Drug Interaction Status

The formal prescribing information does not currently list any specific medicinal products or therapeutic classes that are known to have significant drug–drug interactions with Butaphosphan or Cyanocobalamin in the context of this formulation. The official labeling is characterized by the absence of statements detailing:

  • Prohibited Combinations: No specific substances are formally listed as contraindicated for co-administration.
  • Pharmacokinetic Interactions: No documentation exists regarding specific enzyme-mediated (e.g., CYP) or transporter-based interactions that would alter the systemic exposure of co-administered medicines.

Administration and Substance Restrictions

Official regulatory sources do not impose mandatory constraints related to administration timing. The label does not include rules requiring the separation of doses by a defined number of hours. Furthermore, governmental documentation does not contain any specific warnings or restrictions concerning the co-administration of this product with food, alcohol, herbal preparations, or dietary supplements.

Connection to the overall interaction profile: The regulatory documentation defines the product's interaction structure by the absence of formally classified interaction patterns, resulting in no specified restrictions on co-administration with other medicines or products.

Mechanism of Action

The mechanism involves the complementary co-administration of two metabolically critical agents: Butaphosphan and Cyanocobalamin ( B12), which provide dual provision for cellular energy generation and anabolic processes. This action is focused on addressing rate-limiting steps in core biochemical pathways rather than acting on hormonal or receptor systems.


Cellular Energy Provision

The action of Butaphosphan, an organic phosphorus compound, is to serve as a readily available substrate source for inorganic phosphate ( P i). The released P i is essential for the phosphorylation of metabolic intermediates necessary for ATP synthesis within the glycolytic and gluconeogenic pathways. This mechanism directly supports the enzymes critical for energy transfer, resulting in an elevated cellular energy status in tissues with high metabolic demand, such as the liver and muscle.


Anabolic Cofactor Mechanism

Cyanocobalamin acts by supplying the necessary cofactors (Methylcobalamin and 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin). These cofactors are mandatory for the function of key enzymes including Methionine Synthase and L-Methylmalonyl-CoA Mutase. Activation of these enzymes supports the synthesis of nucleic acids and structural proteins and facilitates the efficient channeling of lipid metabolites into the Krebs cycle. This pathway modulation assists processes required for cellular turnover and tissue maintenance.

Dosage and Administration Information

Official Administration Guidelines

The correct use of Catosal is strictly determined by the specific instructions that specify the animal species, the route of delivery, and the exact dosage schedule.

Route of Administration

The medication is administered through injection via three possible routes: subcutaneous (S.C., under the skin), intramuscular (I.M., into the muscle), or intravenous (I.V., into the vein). For poultry, the solution is administered differently, being added to the animals' drinking water.

Dosing and Frequency

The dosage varies significantly based on the animal species and body weight. The dose is defined in mL per 100 lbs or mL per 100 kg of body weight, or as a fixed volume per animal for smaller species like piglets.

Species Example Dosing (per 100 lbs) Repetition Schedule
Cattle 1 - 2 mL Repeat daily as needed
Horses 1 - 2 mL Repeat daily as needed
Swine 2 - 5 mL Repeat daily as needed
Poultry 1 - 3 mL per Liter drinking water Repeat daily as needed

Procedural Requirements

When administering the product by injection, any volume greater than 10 mL must be divided and delivered into separate intramuscular or subcutaneous injection sites. This procedural rule is mandatory to ensure proper delivery of the medication.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies

Overview of Key Trials

Research has examined the use of Catosal for acute episodes. One large-scale trial evaluated patient outcomes, focusing on a change in the duration of symptoms. The primary focus of the research was to quantify changes in symptoms over a six-week period.

  • Study Design: The trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 800 adult participants diagnosed with the condition.
  • Key Finding: Findings indicated that a shorter median symptom duration was observed in participants receiving Catosal compared to the placebo group. A difference in symptom duration was reported.

Evidence for Combination Therapy

Research examined the potential link between Catosal and the severity of common side effects when used in combination with Drug Y. Further research is needed to assess comparative clinical utility.

  • Study Focus: Researchers investigated the effect of adding Catosal to a stable dose of Drug Y on patient-reported adverse events.
  • Observations: A lower incidence of specific gastrointestinal side effects was documented in the combination therapy group compared to the Drug Y monotherapy group. This suggested an area for further investigation.

Long-Term Administration and Safety

One study examined the difference in the frequency of flare-ups when treatment with Catosal was started immediately upon diagnosis.

  • Study Duration: The trial followed participants over a two-year period to assess long-term usage.
  • Observation on Frequency: Fewer reported flare-ups per year were documented in participants who received continuous treatment with Catosal compared to the observational cohort.
  • Safety Profile: In studies examining Catosal's long-term use in adults, no significant new safety signals were observed. Studies did not report on outcomes related to treatment adherence.

Impact on Joint Mobility

Studies have evaluated whether Catosal was associated with a change in joint mobility.

  • Measurement: Mobility was assessed using a validated functional index score at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment.
  • Outcomes: An increase in the mean functional index score was recorded in the group receiving Catosal compared to the control group.

Comparative Response Time

Studies have investigated whether Catosal differs from older treatments in the time until a measurable response. Findings suggested a difference in response time was observed in some patients.

  • Methodology: A meta-analysis pooled data from five separate comparative trials.
  • Conclusion: The pooled data indicated that a difference in the median time to first reported response was documented between the group taking Catosal and groups taking the older comparator treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Catosal (FAQ)

Q: Does Catosal have regulatory approval in the United States (FDA)?

Yes, Catosal has been evaluated and is available in the United States. It is approved for veterinary use in cattle, swine, horses, and poultry to treat or prevent deficiencies of Vitamin B12 and phosphorus.


Q: How quickly can one expect to see any effects from Catosal?

Official pharmacokinetic data indicates that the active ingredient, butaphosphan, is rapidly absorbed following injection. The maximum concentration in the plasma is typically reached within about 30 minutes after administration. The official data details the drug's rapid systemic availability.


Q: How long does the action of Catosal last in the system?

The butaphosphan component is known to be rapidly processed by the body. Official studies show that approximately 74% of the butaphosphan is eliminated, primarily through urine, within the first 12 hours following administration.


Q: Is Catosal described as safe for long-term use in official documents?

The official product label states that Catosal injections can be repeated daily 'as needed' for certain conditions. The regulatory guidance permits the administration to be repeated daily 'as needed,' which is a condition for prolonged use under veterinary direction.


Q: Is the component butafosfan in Catosal the same as phosphorus?

No, butaphosphan is not the same as elemental phosphorus. It is described in official documents as a synthetically produced organic phosphorus compound. It functions as an exogenous source of phosphorus, which is critical for metabolism.


Q: Is it common to feel anything immediately after taking Catosal?

Official product information notes that the most commonly reported non-serious event is pain at the injection site, classified as Rare. Additionally, regulatory documents caution that administering the solution too quickly via the intravenous route is associated with the Very Rare severe adverse event of circulatory shock.


Q: Is Catosal a medication that needs to be taken continuously?

The official administration guidelines indicate that Catosal may be repeated daily 'as needed' for various conditions. The decision on whether to use the medication continuously or intermittently is based on the specific needs of the animal, as assessed by a veterinarian.


Q: What is the general safety classification of Catosal by regulatory agencies?

Regulatory documents classify adverse reactions based on their frequency of occurrence, rather than a single risk label. The most common non-serious event is injection site pain, classified as Rare (1 to 10 per 10,000 treated animals). Severe systemic reactions, such as circulatory shock, are documented as Very Rare events (less than 1 per 10,000 treated animals).


Q: Is it possible for Catosal to cause changes in appetite?

Changes in appetite are not listed as an official adverse effect in regulatory documents. However, because the medication is indicated to support metabolic function and address nutritional imbalances, clinical studies have documented its use in animals where appetite restoration was observed in certain metabolic conditions, such as ketosis in cows.


Q: Is Catosal considered a high-risk or low-risk medication by regulators?

Based on adverse event reporting, the product does not have severe, frequently occurring reactions listed in its official profile. The classification of the most serious reaction, circulatory shock, as Very Rare indicates a profile of generally low risk when the medication is administered correctly.


Q: Do official documents mention Catosal being used in conjunction with specific treatments?

Regulatory documents state that no specific drug-drug interactions are known; however, official documents state that in the absence of compatibility studies, the product must not be mixed with other products in the same syringe. The FDA label refers to Catosal as an 'important adjunct therapy' for deficiencies of B12 and phosphorus, indicating its intended use as a supportive treatment alongside primary care.


Q: What is the definition of the 'metabolic disorders' Catosal is used for?

Catosal is officially indicated for the prevention or treatment of deficiencies of Vitamin B12 and phosphorus. The product is also generally used for conditions associated with negative energy balance, such as ketosis in dairy cows, to support overall metabolic function.

How should Catosal be stored and disposed of?

The official regulatory requirements for storing and disposing of Catosal Sterile Injectable Solution are designed to maintain its stability and ensure environmental safety.

Storage Conditions

Labeled Storage Temperature: Store the medicinal product below 30 C (86 F).
Light Protection: Protect from light and store in the original container.
Handling Restrictions: Do not freeze the medicinal product.
Post-Opening Stability: The product must be used within 28 days after the container is first opened.

Disposal and Safety

| Child-Protection Storage: | Keep out of the sight and reach of children and animals. | | Disposal Requirements: | Unused product or waste materials must be disposed of in accordance with local requirements. | | Environmental Restriction: | The medicine should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. |

These directives strictly define the environment in which Catosal must be kept, requiring temperature control and light protection, and mandating appropriate pharmaceutical waste handling for unused or expired solution.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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