Azaperone
**Azaperone** is a potent **butyrophenone tranquilizer** and neuroleptic agent primarily utilized in veterinary medicine for swine and wildlife management. * **Swine**: It is the drug of choice for controlling aggression, especially when mixing or regrouping weanling or feeder pigs, preventing fighting and stress. It is also used for obstetrics and as a preanesthetic. * **Wildlife**: Frequently used in combination with butorphanol and medetomidine (known as the **BAM** protocol) for the immobilization of cervids (e.g., deer). * **Equine**: Generally avoided in horses due to adverse reactions including sweating, muscle tremors, panic, CNS excitement, and significant arterial hypotension. > **Clinical Pearl**: Unlike phenothiazines (e.g., acepromazine), azaperone provides reliable sedation in pigs but lacks analgesic properties. It must be combined with an opioid or local anesthetic for painful procedures.
Mecanismo: Azaperone exerts its effects primarily through the central nervous system and peripheral vasculature: * **Dopamine (D2) Receptor Antagonism**: Blocks D2 receptors in the brain (basal ganglia and limbic system) → produces profound tranquilization, reduced motor activity, and anti-emetic effects. * **Alpha-1 Adrenergic Blockade**: Antagonizes peripheral α1-receptors → causes vasodilation, which can lead to mild to moderate **hypotension**. * **Thermoregulation**: Prevents halothane-induced malignant hyperthermia in susceptible swine by stabilizing thermoregulatory centers. * **Respiratory Effects**: Has minimal direct effects on respiration and may inhibit some respiratory depressant actions of general anesthetics.
Dosificación por especie
- Mixing feeder or weanling pigs · 2.2 mg/kg deeply IM · IM · Single dose · No longer on US market
- Aggression (prevention and cure of fighting; including regrouping of piglets, porkers, fattening pigs) · 2 mg/kg (1 mL/20 kg) · IM · Single dose · Given IM directly behind the ear using a long hypodermic needle, perpendicular to the skin.
- Treatment of aggression in sows · 2 mg/kg (1 mL/20 kg) · IM · Single dose
- Stress (restlessness, anxiety, etc.) · 1-2 mg/kg (0.5-1 mL/20 kg) · IM · Single dose
- Transport of boars · 1 mg/kg (0.5 mL/20 kg) · IM · Single dose
- Transport of weaners · 0.4-2 mg/kg (0.4-1 mL/20 kg) · IM · Single dose
- Obstetrics · 1 mg/kg (0.5 mL/20 kg) · IM · Single dose
- As a premed · 1-2 mg/kg (0.5-1 mL/20 kg) · IM · Single dose
Las dosis son una referencia clínica para veterinarios colegiados. Confirme siempre con la ficha técnica vigente y el paciente individual.
Vías de administración
Contraindicaciones
- Intravenous (IV) administration
- Very cold conditions (risk of cardiovascular collapse)
Efectos adversos
- Transient salivation
- Piling
- Panting
- Shivering
- Hypotension
- Penis extrusion in boars (at doses >1 mg/kg)
- Hypoventilation and hypoxemia (when used in BAM combo in deer)
Interacciones farmacológicas
- CNS Depressant Agents (barbiturates, narcotics, anesthetics) · May cause additive CNS depression if used concurrently with butyrophenones.
Monitorización
- Level of sedation
- Cardiovascular status (blood pressure)
Sobredosis
Azaperone overdoses can cause **hypotension**. Doses >1 mg/kg in boars may cause **penis extrusion** leading to damage. There is no specific reversal agent for azaperone; treatment should be supportive and symptomatic.
La referencia de fármacos de VetSheet está destinada a veterinarios colegiados como apoyo a la decisión clínica, no sustituye el juicio profesional ni la ficha técnica vigente del fabricante.