Diminazene
Diminazene aceturate
Also known as: Berenil · Azidine · Veriben · Pirocide · Diminazene diaceturate · Diminazeno
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment of Babesia (B. canis / B. gibsoni) | 3.5-5 mg/kg | IM | once for B. canis, repeat in 24 hours for B. gibsoni | — | 🌎 NA |
| Small Babesia (Okinawa) | 3.5 mg/kg | IM | repeat once in 24 hours | — | 🌎 NA |
| Treatment of Babesia (South Africa) | 4.2 mg/kg | IM | once | — | 🌎 NA |
| Treatment of African trypanosomiasis | 3.6-7 mg/kg | IM | every 2 weeks as needed | — | 🌎 NA |
- Treatment of Babesia (B. canis / B. gibsoni): Risk for neurotoxicity higher when total dosages are 7 mg/kg or higher.
- Treatment of Babesia (South Africa): Do not repeat within a 21-day period.
- Treatment of African trypanosomiasis: Used to control relapse or reinfection.
Cats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment of cytauxzoonosis | 3-5 mg/kg | IM | one time | — | 🌎 NA |
| Treatment of cytauxzoonosis | 2 mg/kg | IM | repeat in one week | — | 🌎 NA |
- Treatment of cytauxzoonosis: Tick control remains the best means of preventing disease as treatment attempts meet with little success.
Horses
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment of susceptible protozoal (Trypanosomes, Babesia) infections (West Africa) | 3.5 mg/kg (up to 8 mg/kg depending on susceptibility) | IM | one time | — | 🌎 NA |
- Treatment of susceptible protozoal (Trypanosomes, Babesia) infections (West Africa): Do not exceed 4 grams total dose per animal.
Cattle
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment of susceptible protozoal (Trypanosomes, Babesia) infections (West Africa) | 3.5 mg/kg (up to 8 mg/kg depending on susceptibility) | IM | one time | — | 🌎 NA |
- Treatment of susceptible protozoal (Trypanosomes, Babesia) infections (West Africa): Do not exceed 4 grams total dose per animal.
Sheep
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment of susceptible protozoal (Trypanosomes, Babesia) infections (West Africa) | 3.5 mg/kg (up to 8 mg/kg depending on susceptibility) | IM | one time | — | 🌎 NA |
- Treatment of susceptible protozoal (Trypanosomes, Babesia) infections (West Africa): Do not exceed 4 grams total dose per animal.
Goats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment of susceptible protozoal (Trypanosomes, Babesia) infections (West Africa) | 3.5 mg/kg (up to 8 mg/kg depending on susceptibility) | IM | one time | — | 🌎 NA |
- Treatment of susceptible protozoal (Trypanosomes, Babesia) infections (West Africa): Do not exceed 4 grams total dose per animal.
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Diminazene aceturate is an aromatic diamidine derivative primarily used as an antiprotozoal agent. It is highly effective against Babesia and Trypanosoma species. Although not FDA-approved in the USA, it is a global staple for tick-borne and tsetse-fly-transmitted diseases in livestock and companion animals.
Clinical Pearls:
- It is often used as a rescue therapy for Babesia gibsoni infections in dogs when standard azithromycin/atovaquone protocols fail, though it may only suppress rather than clear the parasitemia.
- The drug is slowly metabolized, allowing for suppression of clinical signs or prophylaxis for several weeks after a single dose.
- It can be legally imported into the USA for compassionate use in animals under specific FDA guidelines.
Mechanism of action
Diminazene binds to the AT-rich regions of the kinetoplast DNA in protozoa, interfering with DNA synthesis and replication. It is also thought to inhibit aerobic glycolysis, depriving the parasite of essential energy.
Mechanism Pathway: Drug enters protozoan → Binds kinetoplast DNA & inhibits aerobic glycolysis → Halts parasite replication → Allows host immune system to clear or suppress the infection.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Camelids (highly susceptible to toxic effects)
Adverse effects
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pain and swelling at the injection site
- Transient decreases in blood pressure
- Ataxia (rare, <0.1%)
- Seizures (rare, <0.1%)
- Death (rare, <0.1%)
Precautions
Use with extreme caution in dogs at doses of 7 mg/kg or higher due to a significantly increased risk of severe neurotoxicity. Camels are highly susceptible to toxicity and the drug is generally contraindicated in camelids. Safety for nursing offspring has not been established as the drug distributes into milk.
Monitoring
- Surveillance for potential adverse effects (especially neurological signs)
- Clinical efficacy
- Serial CBCs
- BUN and liver enzymes (in severe cases)
- Serum potassium (hypokalemia in severe cases)
- PCR test at 60 and 90 days post-therapy to determine 'clearing' of Babesia gibsoni
Pharmacokinetics
Half-life
Absorption
Rapidly absorbed after IM administration in target species.
Distribution
Distributed rapidly; high levels can be found in the liver and kidney. Enters the CSF at levels significantly lower than plasma in healthy animals, but CSF levels are higher in dogs with meningeal inflammation. Distributes into milk.
Metabolism
Metabolized somewhat in the liver, though it is unknown if metabolites possess anti-protozoal activity.
Elimination
Elimination half-lives are reportedly widely variable, with wide inter-patient variability noted even within individual studies.
Overdose
Diminazene appears most toxic in dogs and camels.
- Camels: Dosages greater than 7 mg/kg can be very toxic.
- Dogs: Dosages above 10 mg/kg IM can cause severe gastrointestinal, respiratory, nervous system, or musculoskeletal effects.
Available products
Formulations
- Powder for injection
- Granules for injection
- Packets for reconstitution
Veterinary
- Azidine
- Babezeen
- Crede-Bab-Minazene
- Berenil
- Dimisol
- Dizine
- Ganaseng
- Ganasegur
- Pirocide
- Veriben
Regulatory status
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇪🇺 EU · 🇬🇧 UK · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Store powder, granules, or packets in a dry, cool place out of direct sunlight. Once reconstituted, the solution's stability is temperature dependent: up to 14 days when refrigerated, up to 5 days at 20°C, and only for 24 hours at temperatures above 50°C.
Client information
Important: This medication is used to treat serious blood parasites.
- Cure vs. Suppression: Depending on the species treated, parasites may not be completely eradicated. Your pet may still carry the parasite even after treatment, and retreatment may be required. The goal is often to resolve clinical illness rather than achieve a complete cure.
- Side Effects: Watch closely for vomiting, diarrhea, or pain and swelling at the injection site.
- Neurological Signs: Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice stumbling, weakness, or seizures, as these can be signs of drug toxicity.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.