ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/atipamezole
US brand names:Antisedan
Atipamezole is dosed at If a higher dose of dexmedetomidine was administered, increase this dose accordingly." Published figure, reptiles: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5, gives atipamezole 0.3 mg/kg, "Most species 0.3 mg/kg IM" in ball pythons, per 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. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.236 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Selective alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist. Specifically reverses sedation, bradycardia, and other effects of medetomidine/dexmedetomidine.
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.
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
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, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.106, Atipamezole monograph spanning p.106-107; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| 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 |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Species references:All African Pygmy Hedgehog drugsAll Ball Python drugsAll Bearded Dragon drugsAll Betta (Siamese fighting fish) drugsAll Blue-tongue Skink drugsAll Budgerigar drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Chinchilla drugsAll Degu drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Domestic Pigeon drugsAll Dwarf Hamster drugsAll Eastern Box Turtle drugsAll Ferret drugsAll Gerbil drugsAll Goldfish drugsAll Guinea Pig drugsAll Houston Toad drugsAll Koi drugsAll Leopard Gecko drugsAll Mouse drugsAll Pet Rat drugsAll Prairie Dog drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugsAll Red-eared Slider drugsAll Russian Tortoise drugsAll Sugar Glider drugsAll Sulcata Tortoise drugs
| Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed (2023), PDF p.133 (printed p.106), CATS - medetomidine clause; BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th Ed Part A, PDF p.52 (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 (held) printed p.106, Atipamezole monograph spanning p.106-107; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705; Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |