Is Atipamezole a controlled substance?

Atipamezole is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Atipamezole

US brand names:Antisedan

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Atipamezole is dosed at If a higher dose of dexmedetomidine was administered, increase this dose accordingly." Published figures, rabbit — SOURCES DIFFER: Plumb's 10th ed printed p.107 gives 0.5 mg/kg IM or SC, 0.25 mg/kg IV, alternatively 0.75 mg/kg IV or IM; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.22, gives 1 mg/kg SC, IM, IV in rabbits, per Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcutt CJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antidote

Routes

Indications

administered 45 minutesAlpha-2 agonist (medetomidine/dexmedetomidine) reversalAlpha-2 agonist reversalAlpha-2 antagonist reversal (dexmedetomidine reversal)Dexmedetomidine reversalDexmedetomidine/medetomidine reversalMedetomidine reversalMedetomidine/dexmedetomidine reversalReversal of dexmedetomidineReversal of dexmedetomidine in skinks not recoveredReversal of dexmedetomidine sedationReversal of dexmedetomidine sedation/anaesthesia

Show all 17

Reversal of DKM anesthesia (alpha-2 antagonist)Reversal of medetomidine and dexmedetomidineReversal of medetomidine/dexmedetomidineReversal of xylazine (alpha-2 antagonist)Xylazine reversal

Mechanism of Action

Selective alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist. Specifically reverses sedation, bradycardia, and other effects of medetomidine/dexmedetomidine.

Side effects & warnings

IM route only (IV can cause cardiovascular excitation). Give equal volume to medetomidine or 5x volume of dexmedetomidine. Reversal within 5-10 minutes. May unmask pain.

Species with Atipamezole dosing data (31 dose rules)

African Pygmy Hedgehog Ball Python Bearded Dragon Betta (Siamese fighting fish)Blue-tongue Skink Budgerigar Cat (Domestic)Chinchilla Degu Dog (Domestic)Domestic Pigeon Dwarf Hamster Eastern Box Turtle Ferret Gerbil

Evidence levels across 31 dose rules

Moderate×12Weak×15Strong×3Anecdotal×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (2 of 31 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 28 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	IM	If a higher dose of dexmedetomidine was administered, increase this dose accordingly." Published figures, dog and cat: Plumb's 10th ed printed p.107 gives 0.02-0.1 mg/kg IV to effect, or 0.1-0.2 mg/kg IM or slow IV, based on a 10 mcg/kg dexmedetomidine dose	Equal volume to medetomidine or 5x dexmedetomidine	Strong	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.106, Atipamezole monograph spanning p.106-107.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Cat (Domestic)	IM	If a higher dose of dexmedetomidine was administered, increase this dose accordingly." Published figures, dog and cat: Plumb's 10th ed printed p.107 gives 0.02-0.1 mg/kg IV to effect, or 0.1-0.2 mg/kg IM or slow IV, based on a 10 mcg/kg dexmedetomidine dose	Equal volume to medetomidine or 5x dexmedetomidine	Weak

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Backed by 26 published sourcesShow

· 130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.783 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents).
· 130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.783 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). — CORROBORATED 2026-08-06 by independent literature: General Anesthesia Induced by a Combination of Medetomidine/Vatinoxan with Ketamine and Buprenorphine-ER in C57BL/6J Mice (Mus musculus). (Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science: JAALAS, 2024). doi:10.30802/aalas-jaalas-23-000120. . The paper reports this drug at this dose in this species: "l blood pressure, body temperature, jaw tone, and skin color were monitored every 5 min. Thirty […]". This is a second source alongside the book already cited; it corroborates the figure and does not by itself establish that the dose is correct.

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Calculate Dosage for Atipamezole

Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed (2023), printed p.106, CATS - medetomidine clause; BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th Ed Part A, printed p.36, Cats: '2.5 times the previous medetomidine or 5 times the previous dose of dexmedetomidine (0.5 mg/ml solution) i.m.' - dexmedetomidine clause — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.106, Atipamezole monograph spanning p.106-107.

Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

· 386. Raphael BL. Chelonians. In: Fowler ME, Miller RE, eds. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, 5th ed., Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA; 2003:48-58. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.236 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles.a).

· 52. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al. Formulary. In: Quesenberry Q, Orcutt C, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.739 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.4 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Hedgehogs).

· 81. Fleming G. Clinical technique: chelonian shell repair. J Exot Pet Med. 2008;17:246-258. — Source: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1408

· 826. Sandmeier P. Evaluation of medetomidine for short-term immobilization of domestic pigeons (Columba livia) and Amazon parrots (Amazona species). J Avian Med Surg. 2000;14:8-14. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.447 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic/Sedative/Analgesic Agents Used in Birds.a,b).

· Anesthetic effects of alfaxalone-ketamine-midazolam and alfaxalone-ketamine-dexmedetomidine administered intramuscularly in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). Am J Vet Res. 2022;83(9). doi:10.2460/ajvr.21.11.0193. PMID: 35895768. URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35895768/

· Beecy S, Meuse D, Kizielewicz N, Beale C, Molk D. Optimization of Ketamine/Xylazine Anesthesia in Geriatric Mice. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2025;64(4):778-787. doi:10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-25-010. PMID 40683626. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12530262/

· Comparison of Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine-Midazolam and Isoflurane for Anesthesia of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci (JAALAS). DOI: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-18-000001; PMID: 30396377; PMCID: PMC6351049. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6351049/

· D'Urso ES, Martorelli M, Bersanetti G, Selleri P, De Gennaro C. Combination of Dexmedetomidine and Low-Dose Ketamine in 4 Sugar Gliders (Petaurus breviceps) Undergoing Elective Castration. Vet Sci. 2025 Jul 25;12(8):699. doi:10.3390/vetsci12080699. PMID: 40872650. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12390597/

· Evaluating the Physiologic Effects of Alfaxalone, Dexmedetomidine, and Midazolam Combinations in Common Blue-Tongued Skinks (Tiliqua scincoides). Animals 2024, 14(18), 2636. DOI 10.3390/ani14182636; PMID 39335227; PMCID PMC11429061. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11429061/

· Fleming G. Clinical technique: chelonian shell repair. J Exot Pet Med. 2008;17:246-258. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.236 doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2008.08.001 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles.a).

· Fleming GJ. Capture and chemical immobilization of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) in South Africa. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Rept Amph Vet; 1996:63-66. / 436. Smith JA, McGuire NC, Mitchell MA. Cardiopulmonary physiology and anesthesia in crocodilians. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Rept Amph Vet; 1998:17-21. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles.a).

· Lang M, Freeman K, Griffioen J, Cannizzo S, Delaney MA. Comparison of Subcutaneous Alfaxalone and Subcutaneous Alfaxalone-Dexmedetomidine for Sedation in the Houston Toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis). J Zoo Wildl Med. 2024;55(1). doi:10.1638/2023-0013 https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-zoo-and-wildlife-medicine/volume-55/issue-1/2023-0013/COMPARISON-OF-SUBCUTANEOUS-ALFAXALONE-AND-SUBCUTANEOUS-ALFAXALONEDEXMEDETOMIDINE-FOR-SEDATION-IN/10.1638/2023-0013.full

· Mans C, Sladky KK. Endoscopically guided removal of cloacal calculi in three African spurred tortoises (Geochelone sulcate). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2012;240:869- — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.236 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles.a).

· Mason AK, Lee J, Perry SM, Boykin KL, Del Piero F, Lierz M, Mitchell MA. Animals (Basel). 2021 Aug 24;11(9):2477. doi:10.3390/ani11092477. PMCID: PMC8470321. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8470321/

· Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents).

· Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcutt CJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630.

· Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.939 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Ferrets).

· Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.783 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents).

· Mumm LE, Mans C. Evaluation of dexmedetomidine-midazolam sedation in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2022;260(10):1194-1199. doi:10.2460/javma.22.01.0005 https://europepmc.org/article/MED/35482567

· Parkinson L, Mans C. Anesthetic and Postanesthetic Effects of Alfaxalone-Butorphanol Compared with Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2017;56(3):290-295. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5438922/ — CORROBORATED 2026-08-06 by independent literature: Comparison of Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine with Isoflurane for Anesthesia of Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera). (Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science: JAALAS, 2016). PMID:27177565. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27177565/. The paper reports this drug at this dose in this species: "tudy, adult chinchillas (n = 8; age, 2 to 5 y) were anesthetized with a combination of […]". This is a second source alongside the book already cited; it corroborates the figure and does not by itself establish that the dose is correct.

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — Atipamezole, p.107, RABBITS/RODENTS/SMALL MAMMALS: "Mice, Rats, Chinchillas, Gerbils, Hamsters, Guinea pigs: reversal of xylazine or medetomidine […]"; ceiling corroborated by Carpenter p.783 ("1 mg/kg SC | All species") and frr Table A.4, p.626 ("Atipamezole. Rats/Mice 1 mg/kg SC, IM, IV, IP") — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents).

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed (2023), printed p.106, CATS - medetomidine clause; BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th Ed Part A, printed p.36, Cats: '2.5 times the previous medetomidine or 5 times the previous dose of dexmedetomidine (0.5 mg/ml solution) i.m.' - dexmedetomidine clause — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.106, Atipamezole monograph spanning p.106-107.

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.106, Atipamezole monograph spanning p.106-107.

· Ramsey I, ed. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed. Part B: Exotic Pets. Gloucester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2023. p.27.