Brand Name:  PromAce®, Aceprotabs 

Available in 10 mg, 25 mg tablets, and injectable 

How This Medication is Used 

Acepromazine has been used for decades as a sedative or tranquilizer for pets.

For pets that become restless or carsick, acepromazine is calming and helps with nausea. It is not recommended for use in air travel. Acepromazine is also given as sedation when preparing for general anesthesia, helping your pet be less reactive to undesirable situations.

Acepromazine should not be used alone to treat behavioral problems in pets. Some veterinarians disagree about using this medication as a treatment for anxiety, such as during thunderstorms or fireworks. When used alone, acepromazine may worsen anxiety, so much so that a pet may become aggressive. It may have the opposite of the desired effect, as pets may be more likely to respond to loud noises.

When used along with other anti-anxiety drugs, acepromazine can enhance the effects of those drugs. An example is the “chill” protocol, which includes gabapentin, melatonin, and acepromazine, used in dogs to decrease anxiety before visiting a veterinarian.

Acepromazine should be given 30-60 minutes prior to an anxiety-triggering event. When used in combination with other anti-anxiety drugs, it should be given 90 to 120 minutes ahead of the event. Because many pets respond differently to acepromazine, discuss with your veterinarian whether or not additional doses should be given after a specific time. Always follow your veterinarian's recommendation on dosing.

Side Effects 

• Acepromazine’s effects last around six to eight hours. However, this can vary from pet to pet.
• Acepromazine may worsen some behaviors in undesirable situations.
• Medications like acepromazine used to control panic situations are discouraged by the International Air Transport Association because the effects of acepromazine make it difficult for the pet to move in response to stressful situations.
• Very rarely, pets can become aggressive after taking acepromazine.
• Acepromazine lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. However, it is not used to treat hypertension because it causes too much tranquilization.
• Because dogs with the MDR-1 gene mutation will need reduced doses, discuss with your veterinarian the use of acepromazine if your dog is among the breeds at high risk of having this mutation. The MDR-1 gene mutation is seen most commonly in herding breeds. 
• Acepromazine use can cause a pinkish or even brownish-red tint to your pet’s urine, which is not harmful.

Interactions with Other Drugs

• Acepromazine should be used cautiously in animals receiving other medications that decrease blood pressure.
• If given alongside the heart medication quinidine, there may be negative heart side effects.
• When combined with opioid medications, it is important to monitor your pet for excess sedation or a decrease in blood pressure.

Concerns and Cautions

Acepromazine:

• Is not intended for human use.
• May take 30-60 minutes to take effect.
• If a dose is missed, give it when it is remembered or at the next dose. Do not double up on doses.
• As mentioned previously, some dogs may be more sensitive to the side effects of acepromazine, such as those with the MDR-1 mutation.
• Should be used with caution in pets with low blood pressure or those at risk for it.
• Pets being treated for shock or severe injuries are not good candidates for acepromazine.
• Although not contraindicated, acepromazine should be used cautiously with pets being treated for seizures.
• Should be used cautiously with pets with liver disease, as acepromazine is removed from the body by the liver. If liver function is decreased, sedation can be prolonged significantly.
• Do not expose to light.
• Store at room temperature.