Calmivet

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Calmivet

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Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

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 Calmivet

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active ingredient Acepromazine maleate
Forms Oral tablets, Injectable solution
Pharmacological class Neuroleptic agent (Phenothiazine derivative)
Common use Sedation and Tranquilization (Pre-anesthetic)
Origin Synthetic compound

Calmivet is a prescription-only veterinary preparation whose core identity is the single-active ingredient, Acepromazine maleate. This compound is a synthetic derivative of the phenothiazine chemical structure, classifying it as a neuroleptic agent designed to produce a predictable depressant effect on the central nervous system in dogs, cats, and horses. The product is manufactured by Vetoquinol and is available in multiple regions for veterinary use.

Pharmacological Classification and Composition

Calmivet is formally classified as a neuroleptic agent and a central nervous system depressant. Its active ingredient, Acepromazine, belongs to the phenothiazine derivative pharmacological class. This substance is utilized for its action as a dopamine receptor antagonist, which modulates neurological activity to suppress excitement and motor restlessness. Its role is as a sedative compound in veterinary practice.

To facilitate various clinical needs, the product is supplied in multiple dosage form(s). These include oral tablets and an injectable solution—the latter utilizes an aqueous solution base, permitting precise delivery via various routes of administration. Both forms deliver the same potent Acepromazine maleate to the patient.

General Purpose: Sedation and Tranquilization

The overarching therapeutic use of Calmivet is to induce controlled sedation and substantial tranquilization in animals, which helps mitigate acute fear and agitation. This calming effect is routinely used as a pre-anesthetic medication to help patients relax before general anesthesia is initiated and to smooth the induction process. Furthermore, the tranquilization is beneficial for the management of anxiety and for controlling fractious or restless patients during necessary procedures such as examinations or transport, making the patient less responsive to environmental stimuli.

What side effects are possible with Calmivet?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Calmivet (Acepromazine maleate) is officially characterized by its effects on the cardiovascular and nervous systems, as documented in regulatory prescribing information. The most significant safety concern listed across product labels relates to Vascular Disorders, primarily hypotension (low blood pressure), which can be profound, especially when administered rapidly or to compromised patients.

Regulatory documents classify adverse reactions by system-organ class and frequency, including:

System-Organ Class Common Adverse Reactions Serious Adverse Reactions
Vascular / Cardiac Hypotension, Splenic enlargement Severe Hypotension, Collapse
Nervous System Prolonged Sedation, Ataxia Paradoxical Excitement, Extrapyramidal Signs
Other Systems Vomiting, Protrusion of the third eyelid Irreversible Penile Paralysis (in horses)

The drug's labeling also specifies several important Population-Specific Safety Considerations. The use of Calmivet is restricted or requires particular care in animals with pre-existing conditions such as shock, severe dehydration, or hepatic impairment. Certain breeds, such as Boxers, are officially noted to be highly sensitive to the cardiovascular effects of the medication. Additionally, the label restricts its use in combination with specific other compounds, particularly certain organophosphorus agents, due to the risk of potentiated adverse effects. The administration of epinephrine to treat drug-induced hypotension is explicitly contraindicated in the official safety information.

Overdose and Emergency Response

The official regulatory documentation for Acepromazine maleate (Calmivet) specifies the clinical signs and immediate emergency actions required following a suspected overdose.

Documented Overdose Manifestations

System Clinical Signs
Central Nervous System Excessive sedation, prolonged depression, incoordination, and potential for seizures.
Cardiovascular System Profound hypotension (low blood pressure), bradycardia (slowed heart rate), and risk of cardiovascular collapse.
Respiratory System Respiratory depression (shallow or slowed breathing).

Overdose is classified as a severe and potentially life-threatening event. Immediate medical attention must be sought upon observing any signs of toxicity or suspected accidental ingestion, as the severe outcomes can include cardiovascular collapse and death.

Management is strictly symptomatic and supportive. The regulatory guidance explicitly notes a critical treatment constraint: Epinephrine is contraindicated for managing phenothiazine-induced hypotension. Alternative pressor agents, such as Norepinephrine or Phenylephrine, are indicated for this complication.

Certain population considerations apply: patients with hepatic impairment may experience prolonged depression, and some breeds, such as Boxers, may face an increased susceptibility to severe hypotension. Continuous monitoring of cardiovascular and neurological status is mandated until the patient stabilizes.

Therapeutic Uses of Calmivet

Calmivet is a sedative medication primarily used to provide supportive therapeutic benefit in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable symptom patterns in dogs, cats, and horses. The medication is applied in conditions presenting with acute episodes where short-term symptomatic assistance is appropriate.

The core benefit is addressing symptom clusters that create noticeable functional strain, such as agitation, restlessness, and resistance to handling during necessary veterinary care, grooming, and minor procedures. It is also applied as a pre-anesthetic agent to manage pre-operative nervousness and helps to ease symptoms associated with travel distress including nausea and vomiting. In specific equine conditions, it may be relevant for easing symptoms linked to organ-specific functional stress.


Quick Fact: Relief for Behavioral Agitation

Symptom Domain Primary Benefit Common Scenario
Acute Behavioral Excitement Controlled Tranquilization Managing thunderstorm or firework phobias
Procedural Intractability Chemical Restraint Facilitating examinations and grooming
Travel Distress Symptomatic Relief Addressing motion sickness and travel anxiety

The use of this medication contributes to improved comfort during symptomatic periods, supporting patients during episodes of heightened discomfort.

Regulatory References

  1. FDA-approved label for Acepromazine Injection

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Calmivet (Acepromazine maleate) eligibility is governed by official veterinary regulatory documents, which establish clear criteria for use based on animal species, underlying health, and physiological status.

Eligibility Scope

Classification Populations / Conditions
Allowed Species Dogs, Cats, and Horses are the species approved for use [4.3].
Contraindicated Animals in shock or hypovolaemia, with severe cardiac disease or coagulopathies, or those with a history of convulsions or epilepsy [3.1, 2.2]. Use is also contraindicated in stallions [2.2].
Not Recommended Use is not recommended in animals that are pregnant or lactating [3.1].
Conditional Use Caution is required for very young, very old, or debilitated animals due to risk of prolonged effects [1.1]. Animals with liver dysfunction or specific genetic mutations (e.g., MDR1 in certain herding breeds) must be administered the drug with caution [1.5, 2.5].
Breed Sensitivity Boxers and Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds are particularly sensitive to the drug's cardiovascular effects, requiring careful monitoring and reduced doses [1.4, 2.2].

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The official regulatory profile for Acepromazine maleate (Calmivet) specifies restrictions primarily centered on pharmacodynamic effects and the risk of potentiated toxicity. This medication is formally contraindicated for co-administration with several substances due to documented risks.

Formal Contraindications and Required Separation

Classification Interacting Substance Official Restriction
Toxicity Risk Organophosphorus compounds (including vermifuges/ectoparasiticides) Contraindicated; use must be separated by at least one month.
Potentiation Procaine Hydrochloride Co-administration is prohibited due to potentiated activity.
Procedural Epinephrine (Adrenaline) Contraindicated for treating hypotension resulting from Acepromazine overdosage.

Pharmacodynamic and Exposure Interactions

Acepromazine is documented to potentiate the action of other Centrally Depressant Drugs, such as general anesthetics and narcotics, resulting in an additive depressant effect. Use with Hypotensive Agents requires caution due to the risk of exacerbating low blood pressure.

Regulatory labeling also notes that Antacids and certain Antidiarrheal Mixtures can cause a decrease in the gastrointestinal absorption of the oral formulation, potentially reducing systemic exposure. Furthermore, patients with liver dysfunction or those with the ABCB1 (MDR1) gene mutation are officially noted to be at risk for a more prolonged drug effect due to altered clearance or sensitivity.

Mechanism of Action

The physiological actions of Acepromazine, the active ingredient in Calmivet, are driven by a poly-pharmacological mechanism centered on the antagonism of multiple neurotransmitter receptors, resulting in central nervous system depression and modulation of autonomic activity.

Central Suppression of Arousal and Motor Activity

The core mechanism involves high-affinity blockade of post-synaptic Dopamine D2 receptors within the Limbic System and Reticular Activating System (RAS). By preventing the binding of dopamine, the drug suppresses neural activity in the pathways that regulate emotional and motor responses, initiating a cascade that leads to a state of central depression and reduced spontaneous movement.

Modulation of Autonomic Vascular Tone

Acepromazine also acts as an antagonist on Alpha-1 (alpha1) Adrenergic Receptors found on vascular smooth muscle. This alpha1 blockade inhibits the sympathetic nervous system's signal for vasoconstriction, resulting in vasodilation and a reduction in systemic vascular resistance. This peripheral mechanism modulates cardiovascular function by limiting the physiological effect of stress-induced catecholamine surges.

Specific Emetic Pathway Blockade

A tertiary mechanism is the antagonism of D2 receptors located in the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone (CTZ) in the brainstem. This localized blockade stops the chemical signaling that initiates the vomiting reflex, resulting in inhibition of the emetic pathway.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Calmivet: Official Administration Guidelines

Calmivet (Acepromazine maleate) is administered via multiple routes depending on the required clinical scenario, with all dosing strictly controlled by a licensed veterinarian. The product is used only on an intermittent or as-needed basis, and the product is not intended for long-term use in individual animals.


Administration Scope and Dosing Regimens

Category Official Administration Guideline
Route of Administration Approved for Oral (PO), Intravenous (IV), Intramuscular (IM), and Subcutaneous (SC) administration.
Labeled Dosing The dose is calculated strictly by the animal's weight, typically in mg/lb or mg/100 lb. Dosage requirement generally decreases as the weight of the animal increases.
Frequency Used as a single dose for procedures or may be repeated as required for oral tablet use, but there is no set daily schedule.

Procedural and Situational Instructions

When administering the oral tablets, the dose is generally given 45 minutes to one hour prior to the required clinical effect, and tablets may be given with or without food. The injectable solution requires specific procedural conditions: any intravenous dose must be administered slowly, and a minimum of 15 minutes must be allowed for the drug to take its full effect.

Population-Specific Adjustments are a key component of the official instruction; doses must be smaller and administered with greater care in large breeds, in debilitated animals, and in those exhibiting stress or under general anesthesia, reflecting a requirement for dose individualization.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of studies for Calmivet


Evidence for use in Controlled Sedation and Tranquilization

Research has primarily explored the use of acepromazine in acute scenarios where short-term chemical assistance is relevant in trials assessing short-term or episodic symptom patterns. Studies was evaluated in animal populations, including dogs, horses, and camels, and monitored outcomes reflecting daily functioning or activity level, specifically the behavioral responses during procedures or transport. Findings describe patterns observed in the studies regarding the depth and duration of tranquilization.

Physiological studies documented patterns of hypotension (lowered systolic and mean arterial pressure) and vasodilation. The existing evidence provides limited insight into whether the sedative response is consistent in animals with pre-existing, chronic anxiety. Research notes that the response may vary across individual animals and certain breeds.


Evidence for use as a Pre-anesthetic Agent

Studies explored the role of acepromazine as a pre-anesthetic agent in dogs and horses undergoing procedures requiring general anesthesia. Studies suggest that premedication with acepromazine may be associated with differences in the dose administered for the main anesthetic agent. Comparative measurements showed patterns of mean and diastolic blood pressure that differed between groups receiving acepromazine combinations and alternative combinations. Findings were mixed regarding the drug's influence on the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) and regurgitation during the anesthetic period.


Research Gaps and Areas of Uncertainty

The research base has several known limitations, as the majority of studies were evaluated in research exploring short-term symptom changes with follow-up durations typically limited to the acute procedural period. Long-term effects are not fully established because the drug was studied for acute, short-term management.

The effect on blood pressure was monitored in some studies, but the full physiological scope of this blood pressure change is not fully established in all populations. Comparative evidence is lacking for many common clinical scenarios against current alternative treatments. Additionally, research contributes to the broader evidence landscape but data are still insufficient to fully characterize the drug's response in all genetically variant populations.

Key Studies & References

  1. Label: ACEPROMAZINE MALEATE tablet - DailyMed (NIH/FDA ANADA # 200-757)
  2. PROMACE- acepromazine maleate tablet (FDA Approved NADA # 117-532)
  3. The Effect of the Canine ABCB1‐1Δ Mutation on Sedation after Intravenous Administration of Acepromazine

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Calmivet (FAQ)

Q: What is the main reason Calmivet is prescribed?

A: Official indications describe the drug's purpose as an aid in tranquilization and as a pre-anesthetic agent. It is also used to help control subjects during examination or minor procedures that require reduced mobility.


Q: Is Calmivet considered a sleeping pill or a calming medication?

A: Calmivet (Acepromazine maleate) is officially classified as a phenothiazine sedative and tranquilizer, which has a depressant effect on the central nervous system. Official documentation specifically notes that the drug does not have a hypnotic (sleep-inducing) effect.


Q: What is the main ingredient in Calmivet?

A: The active pharmaceutical ingredient in Calmivet, the substance responsible for its therapeutic action, is Acepromazine maleate.


Q: Is Calmivet chemically similar to other common medicines?

A: Calmivet is classified chemically as a phenothiazine derivative. This chemical structure is shared with other medications used in various areas of medicine.


Q: What is the typical duration of action for Calmivet?

A: According to regulatory product information, the primary effects of the medication generally last for approximately 4 to 8 hours.


Q: How long does it usually take to feel the effects of Calmivet?

A: Official documents for the oral formulation describe that the required effect usually begins within 10 to 30 minutes after administration.


Q: How quickly does Calmivet leave the body?

A: Official labeling states that the drug is primarily detoxified, or processed, by the liver. In situations involving altered liver function, the drug's clearance may be prolonged, potentially leading to a longer lasting effect.


Q: Is Calmivet effective for situational anxiety or only for ongoing issues?

A: Research evidence indicates that the drug's use is primarily explored in acute scenarios and short-term management. Studies focus on its application during procedures or transport, and not for long-term, ongoing conditions.


Q: What is the maximum duration for which Calmivet has been studied in clinical trials?

A: Research studies have primarily focused on the drug's acute, short-term management. Follow-up durations in clinical trials are typically limited to the immediate procedural period, meaning long-term effects are not fully established in the research base.


Q: Does Calmivet have an effect on mood?

A: The drug acts as a central nervous system depressant. Its primary physiological mechanism involves suppressing neural activity in the pathways that regulate emotional and motor responses, which results in sedation and reduced spontaneous activity.


Q: Is Calmivet prescribed for any conditions other than its main use?

A: In addition to its primary use for tranquilization, official indications for the injectable formulation list its use as an antiemetic to control vomiting associated with motion sickness. It is also indicated to help alleviate itching resulting from skin irritation.


Q: Do studies suggest Calmivet is effective across all patient groups?

A: Official research summaries indicate that the response to the drug may vary across individuals. Furthermore, certain breeds or populations are officially noted to be highly sensitive to the cardiovascular effects of the medication.


Q: Why is there a warning about alcohol consumption with Calmivet?

A: The official label advises caution when co-administering Calmivet with Centrally Depressant Drugs. Although alcohol is not explicitly named, the warning is based on the risk that such substances can potentiate (increase) the depressant effects of Calmivet.


Q: Can Calmivet be taken with common pain relievers like ibuprofen?

A: The official product information specifies that Calmivet can interact with various substances. Co-administration with certain anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, is documented to potentially increase the risk of adverse effects like hypotension (low blood pressure).


Q: What types of foods or drinks should be limited while taking Calmivet?

A: The oral formulation may be given with or without food. However, official labeling notes that taking the medication with antacids or certain antidiarrheal mixtures can reduce how much of the drug is absorbed.


Q: Are the reported side effects of Calmivet usually mild or severe?

A: Regulatory documents list both common adverse effects, such as prolonged sedation, and serious adverse effects, which include severe hypotension and collapse.


Q: Are there documented cases of allergic reactions to Calmivet?

A: The safety profile derived from regulatory documents notes that allergic reactions are a possible adverse event. While typically rare, the safety profile indicates that monitoring for signs of an allergic response is a factor to consider.


Q: What is the risk of overdose described in regulatory documents for Calmivet?

A: Regulatory documents describe that in cases of accidental overdosage, transient dose-dependent low blood pressure (hypotension) may occur. Official guidance describes supportive care and monitoring as appropriate measures.


Q: Can taking Calmivet interfere with lab test results?

A: Official safety information notes that the medication may cause urine to become mildly discolored, described as pinkish to red-brown. Regulatory reports also mention that the drug may temporarily decrease red blood cell count.


Q: How do researchers measure the effectiveness of Calmivet?

A: Researchers assess the drug's effectiveness in studies by monitoring observed outcomes. These outcomes include the degree of tranquilization, behavioral responses during procedures, and differences in the required dose of other anesthetic agents.

How should Calmivet be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Calmivet

Official regulatory documents define strict conditions for the storage and disposal of Calmivet (Acepromazine maleate) to ensure product stability and safety.

Storage Requirements

Calmivet must be stored and transported refrigerated within a temperature range of 2 C to 8 C (35.6 F to 46.4 F). The product must not be frozen and requires protection from light. It should be stored in the original container and kept out of the sight and reach of children.

Stability and Disposal

Once the immediate packaging is first opened, the shelf life is limited to 10 hours. Any unused veterinary product or waste materials derived from its use must be disposed of in accordance with local requirements for pharmaceutical waste.

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

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