Medetomidine HCl/Ketamine HCl/Midazolam HCl Injectable
Medetomidine HCl/Ketamine HCl/Midazolam HCl is a compounded formulation containing Medetomidine HCl, Ketamine HCl, Midazolam HCl, prepared by Mixlab for veterinary use. Available by prescription.
Giving your pet an injection might feel intimidating at first, but with practice, it becomes routine. Follow these steps for safe and stress-free injections.
Get Your Supplies Ready
- Medication vial or pre-filled syringe
- Alcohol swabs
- Sterile syringe & needle (if not pre-filled)
- Sharps container for safe needle disposal
Drawing Up the Dose (if needed)
- Clean the vial top with an alcohol swab
- Attach needle to syringe
- Pull in air equal to the dose
- Insert needle into vial, push air in
- Draw out the correct dose
- Tap out air bubbles
Pick the Injection Site
- Subcutaneous (under the skin): Loose skin between shoulder blades or side
- Intramuscular (into muscle): As directed by your vet
Prep the Area
- Pinch a fold of skin to form a “tent” (for subcutaneous). Wipe with alcohol if recommended.
Inject the Medication
- Hold the syringe like a pencil
- Insert the needle into the base of the skin tent at a 45° angle
- Push the plunger slowly to inject
After the Injection
- Remove the needle smoothly
- Place it immediately in the sharps container (don’t recap)
- Pat the area and give your pet praise or a treat
Safety Tips
- Never reuse needles
- Always dispose of used needles properly
- Ask your vet for help if unsure
This compounded formulation combines active ingredients from different drug classes: medetomidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist; ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic; and midazolam, a benzodiazepine. In compounding practice, clinicians may consider a multi-ingredient preparation like this to address more than one aspect of a patient's physiology at once. Your veterinarian determines whether it is appropriate based on your animal's diagnostic findings.
This description reflects the general pharmacology of the active ingredient's drug class; your veterinarian determines whether this approach is appropriate for your animal.
Prescription only. Use only under the direction of a licensed veterinarian. This information is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, prescribing or monitoring. Compounded drugs are not approved by the FDA for safety or effectiveness.
At a pharmacological level, these agents are considered to influence the central nervous system through synergistic action on adrenergic, NMDA and GABA receptors. Commonly observed effects include behavioral shifts such as significant sedation, muscle relaxation and temporary cardiovascular changes. Your veterinarian will monitor for observational signs of heart rate and respiratory effort during the professional administration. Owners should monitor for any unusual behavioral changes during the recovery phase and contact their veterinarian promptly with any concerns.
Yes. This combination is a prescription controlled substance and can only be administered by a licensed veterinarian. Mixlab dispenses this to authorized clinics for professional use.
Yes. Mixlab specializes in compounding medetomidine, ketamine and midazolam into customized injectable formats for professional veterinary use. The decision rests with the prescribing veterinarian.
Veterinarians discuss adding midazolam because it is considered to support muscle relaxation and address the potential for muscle rigidity associated with other agents. This provides a method for achieving a smoother plane of sedation.
The duration of the behavioral shifts depends on the specific dose and your pet's health status. Your veterinarian will monitor your pet until they have recovered the ability to stand and move safely.
Your veterinarian will perform continuous clinical assessment of your pet's vital signs. This monitoring ensures the management approach remains suitable for the duration of the procedure.
