Diminazene Aceturate and Diminazene Diaceturate (Berenil)
Diminazene Aceturate and Diminazene Diaceturate (Berenil) is used in veterinary medicine for babesiosis.
Diminazene aceturate is also termed diminazene diaceturate; the salt amount must remain distinct from an unspecified free-base amount.
Group
Diamidine antiprotozoal
Mechanism of Action
Interferes with protozoal nucleic-acid function.
Dose Rates
Dog
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babesiosis | Reference only | IM | Source regimen: 3.5–5 mg/kg every 12 hours for two doses. Salt basis is not specified consistently; resolve it before using a diaceturate-strength calculator. | |
| African trypanosomiasis | 3.6–7 mg/kg | IM | Every 336 h | Repeat only as needed for relapse or reinfection; neurologic toxicity risk increases with cumulative exposure. |
Cat
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historical antiprotozoal regimens | Reference only | IM | Reported courses include 4 mg/kg daily for five doses; experimental T. evansi treatment used 3.5 mg/kg daily for five days. Cytauxzoon reports used 2 mg/kg for two injections within one week without parasite eradication. Toxicity and lack of consistent success make these unsuitable as routine feline regimens. | |
| Cytauxzoonosis | 2 mg/kg | IM | Every 168 h | Two doses one week apart. Historical treatment with poor success; monitor closely for toxicity. |
| Cytauxzoonosis | 3–5 mg/kg | IM | Once | Historical alternative with poor treatment success; not evidence of reliable cure. |
Cattle
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babesiosis or trypanosomiasis | Reference only | IM | Source range 3.5–7 mg/kg; babesia studies also cite 3–5 mg/kg. Salt basis and repeat schedule are not fully specified. | |
| Susceptible protozoal infection | 3.5 mg/kg | IM | Once | Maximum 4 g/dose; Diminazene aceturate/diaceturate basis; response depends on organism susceptibility. The source mentions escalation up to 8 mg/kg but does not define organism-specific selection. |
Horse
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equine piroplasmosis | 3.5–5 mg/kg | IM | Every 48 h | Up to 4 days; Diaceturate; two treatments only. Severe local reactions can occur. |
| Babesiosis | 3–5 mg/kg | IM | Every 12 h | Up to 1 days; Diaceturate; two treatments only. A distinct study used 5 mg/kg twice 24 hours apart for B. caballi; do not merge schedules. |
| Susceptible protozoal infection | 3.5 mg/kg | IM | Once | Maximum 4 g/dose; Diminazene aceturate/diaceturate basis; response depends on organism susceptibility. The source mentions escalation up to 8 mg/kg but does not define organism-specific selection. |
Sheep
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible protozoal infection | 3.5 mg/kg | IM | Once | Maximum 4 g/dose; Diminazene aceturate/diaceturate basis; response depends on organism susceptibility. The source mentions escalation up to 8 mg/kg but does not define organism-specific selection. |
Goat
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible protozoal infection | 3.5 mg/kg | IM | Once | Maximum 4 g/dose; Diminazene aceturate/diaceturate basis; response depends on organism susceptibility. The source mentions escalation up to 8 mg/kg but does not define organism-specific selection. |
Indications
- Babesiosis
- Trypanosomiasis
- Equine piroplasmosis
Contraindications
- Not recommended in cats because of toxicity and inconsistent efficacy.
- Camelids are highly susceptible to diminazene toxicity; avoid use when the preparation contraindicates camelids.
Interactions
- No specific interactions identified in the supplied monograph.
Adverse effects
- Painful injection and muscle injury
- Salivation, nausea, vomiting and hepatic enzyme elevations in cats
Toxicity
Neurologic and systemic toxicity may be severe; avoid repeat dosing outside a defined regimen.
Preparations
| Preparation | Form | Strength | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prozomin injection Diminazene diaceturate 70 mg/mL plus phenazone 375 mg/mL. Deep IM; calculations use only the diminazene component. | Injection | diminazene diaceturate 70 mg / mL + phenazone 375 mg / mL | IM |
Monitoring and Administration
Monitor neurologic status, CBC, hepatic function and injection sites. Narrow therapeutic margin limits empirical escalation.
Aceturate/diaceturate identity and dose basis must be confirmed for the actual preparation; do not convert using an assumed salt factor.
Monitor serial CBC, renal and hepatic indices and potassium during severe babesiosis. PCR at 60 and 90 days after therapy was proposed to assess B. gibsoni clearance; clinical recovery does not establish eradication.