Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Tranquilizers are potent central nervous system depressants, and they can cause marked sedation with suppression of the sympathetic nervous system. Tranquilizers can produce prolonged depression or motor restlessness when given in excessive amounts or when given to sensitive animals. Tranquilizers are additive in action to the actions of other depressants and will potentiate general anesthesia. Tranquilizers should be administered in smaller doses and with greater care during general anesthesia and also to animals exhibiting symptoms of stress, debilitation, cardiac disease, sympathetic blockage, hypovolemia or shock.
Hypotension can occur after rapid intravenous injection causing cardiovascular collapse.
Epinephrine is contraindicated for the treatment of acute hypotension produced by phenothiazine-derivative tranquilizers since further depression of blood pressure can occur. Phenothiazines should be used with caution when followed by epidural anesthetic procedures because they may potentiate the arterial hypotensive effects of local anesthetics. Federal law prohibits the use of this product in animals intended for human consumption. Acute and chronic toxicity studies have shown a very low order of toxicity for acepromazine maleate. The clinical observation for this high dosage was mild depression which disappeared in most dogs 24 hours after termination of dosing.