Why is a lower dose of Dolorex needed for combination use (with medetomidine)?
Dolorex can be administered concurrently with medetomidine. The dose of Dolorex when it is combined with medetomidine is 0.1 – 0.2 mg/kg by the intramuscular route. The dose rate is lower because these agents together have what is called synergistic activity. This means that the activity of the combination of agents is greater than the sum of the activity of the two agents. This also applies to the side effects. In other words, when the two agents are used together less of each is required to produce the better effects.
