ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/butorphanol
Butorphanol
Torbugesic, Torbutrol
Drug Class
Routes
Indications
Mechanism of Action
Kappa-opioid receptor agonist and mu-opioid receptor antagonist. Provides visceral analgesia and sedation.
Side effects & warnings
Short duration of action (1-2 hours). Better for visceral than somatic pain. Ceiling effect on analgesia. May cause sedation and mild respiratory depression.
Species with Butorphanol dosing data (37 dose rules)
Controlled Substance
Controlled substance
Evidence levels across 37 dose rules
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
Backed by 5 published primary sources
- · Carpenter 6e
- · Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
- · ExoticRx 2026 (hedgehog dosing guide); Carpenter 6e
- · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Sample dosing (2 of 37 cited rules)
Free-tier preview — dog and cat dosing. Pro and Student unlock all 11 species including reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IM | 0.2–0.4 mg/kg | q2-4h | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| Dog (Domestic) | IM | 0.2–0.4 mg/kg | q2-4h | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
Upgrade for Full Details
Upgrade to Pro or Student to access full drug details including mechanism of action, warnings, dose ranges, and frequency.
View PlansOther formulations of Butorphanol
Articles mentioning Butorphanol
- Guinea Pig Drug Dosing: A Vet Quick ReferenceAntibiotic, analgesic, and antifungal dosing for Cavia porcellus — and why they're not just small rabbits.
- African Grey Parrot Drug Dosing: A Vet ReferenceAntibiotic, antifungal, and supportive-care dosing for Psittacus erithacus — and the avian-specific physiology that should change your prescribing.
- Rabbit Drug Dosing: A Vet's Quick ReferenceAntibiotic, analgesic, and antiparasitic dosing for domestic rabbits — and the oral antibiotics you must never reach for.
- Bearded Dragon Respiratory Infections: Workup and TreatmentWhy a 'simple URTI' in a bearded dragon almost always has a husbandry root cause, and how to structure antibiotic therapy when it doesn't.
- Bearded Dragon Drug Dosing: Vet Reference GuideAntibiotic, antiparasitic, and analgesic dosing notes for Pogona vitticeps — and what reptile physiology means for the drugs you reach for first.
More Analgesic drugs
Source citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.