Medetomidine/vatinoxan, sold under the brand name Zenalpha, is a veterinary fixed-dose combination medication used as a sedative and analgesic for dogs. It contains medetomidine, an alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist, as the hydrochloride salt; and vatinoxan, an alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist, as the hydrochloride salt. It was approved for veterinary use in the United States in May 2022, and in Canada in May 2023.
Veterinary use Medetomidine/vatinoxan is indicated for use as a sedative and analgesic in dogs to facilitate clinical examination, clinical procedures and minor surgical procedures. Medetomidine/vatinoxan is used for sedation of dogs. It is only approved for standalone use. A manufacturer trial found medetomidine/vatinoxan to have a faster onset and shorter duration of sedation with less respiratory depression and cardiovascular side effects as compared to medetomidine in dogs.
References