Frequently Asked Questions

Ethiqa XR is packaged in a 5 mL glass vial containing 3.0 mL of injectable drug suspension.

The carton and vial has a yellowish color. Is this normal?
Yes, the vial, label and/or carton may be a yellowish color. This is a result of the sterilization process. 

I see separation of the suspension in the vial. Is this normal?
Yes, Ethiqa XR is a suspension and not a solution. It is an oil suspension and the ingredients in the suspension do separate over time. The product must be shaken prior to use. This will bring the components back into suspension. There is no need to vortex the product; however, vortexing will not negatively affect the product.

Is the product clear and white?
No, the product has a yellowish tinge, which is a result of the sterilization process. Because it is a particulate suspension, it appears cloudy, not clear.

What is the NDC number for Ethiqa XR?
The NDC number is 86084-100-30

Ethiqa XR currently has a 24-month expiration date. The expiration date is located on the vial label and carton. There is currently product in the market with shorter expiration dates due to being packaged prior to having the supportive 24-month stability data. Please call 833-ETHIQAXR (833-384-4729), if you have any questions regarding the expiry date of the product.

Does the shelf-life apply if the product is removed from the original vial and stored in plastic or glass syringes?
No, the expiration date is based upon data generated on product stored in the original vial container.

Can the product be diluted?
No, the product should not be diluted. There is no clinical or storage data supporting dilution of the product. Additionally, as the product is an oil based suspension, it will not mix with water based diluents.

Are there any known issues with keeping the aliquots under the original expiration date?
There is no clinical or storage data supporting aliquotting of the product.

Is there any problem with Ethiqa XR being stored in plastic syringes and how long can the product be stored in plastic syringes?
Yes, there is data with buprenorphine in general showing a reactivity with certain plastics, when stored in plastic syringes. The time of interaction varies. Ethiqa XR should be stored in the original vial container.

Is Ethiqa XR compatible with the plastics used for multidose vial adapters?
Ethiqa XR should not be in contact with plastic surfaces for an extended period of time. There is data showing a reactivity when buprenorphine products are stored in plastic syringes. The time of interaction varies. Ethiqa XR should be stored in the original vial container.

Yes, it can. Ethiqa XR should be discarded 56-days after broaching.

Is the new broach data good for vials that are refrigerated?
Yes, the product can be refrigerated and should be discarded after 56-days after being broached. However, Ethiqa XR should be stored at room temperature (15° to 25°C or 59° to 77°F). If Ethiqa XR is refrigerated, bring to room temperature before use.

No, Ethiqa XR should be stored at room temperature (15° to 25°C or 59° to 77°F). If Ethiqa XR is refrigerated, bring to room temperature before use.

• The dose for a mouse is a single subcutaneous injection of 0.05mL per 20-gram mouse (3.25 mg/kg body weight).
• The dose for a rat is a single subcutaneous injection of 0.1 mL per 200-gram rat (0.65 mg/kg body weight).
• Be sure to weigh each animal to calculate an accurate dose. A single dose can be repeated if needed after 72 hrs.

A 0.5 or 1.0 mL syringe fitted with a 20 or 23-gauge needle for injections can be used with aseptic technique to withdraw the dose.

Ethiqa XR is currently available through MWI Animal Health (phone 800.824.3703, mwiah.com) and Covetrus (phone 855-724-3461, northamerica.covetrus.com), as well as several smaller regional distributors. We are continuing to work with other distributors to expand availability. A purchasing account must be opened by a licensed veterinarian with a valid DEA license number before placing orders. Please visit EthiqaXR.com/ordering/ for more information.

No, a prescription is not required. Ethiqa XR is NOT compounded or available from any pharmacy. It is available through animal health distributors, and accessible in the same manner your institution sources other controlled pharmaceutical products.

The list price of Ethiqa XR is determined by the distributor. Please contact MWI Animal Health (phone 800.824.3703), Covetrus (phone 855-724-3461), Midwest Veterinary Supply (phone 800-MIDWEST), Patterson Veterinary (phone 800.225.7911) or Hanna’s Pharmaceutical Supply (Phone 203.571.8761).

The return policy is determined by the distributor. Please contact your distributor. More information is available at EthiqaXR.com/ordering/.

Ethiqa XR is indicated for control of post-procedural pain in mice and rats. See the Package Insert, including Boxed Warning, for additional details.

Ethiqa XR is indicated for the control of post-operative procedural pain in mice and rats. In the clinical trials, Ethiqa XR was administered post-procedurally.

In the clinical trials, therapeutic drug concentrations of Ethiqa XR were maintained for up to 72 hours post-injection in both mice and rats.

No drug-drug interaction studies have been performed with Ethiqa XR.

Ethiqa XR has been used in clinical trials that evaluated safety, efficacy, tolerability, pharmacokinetics,and other measures in both mice and rats. Virtually all of this data has been published in peer-reviewed journals, and is available for review on our website, www.ethiqaxr.com/publications. This data was reviewed by the FDA as well as a Qualified Expert Panel of Veterinarians and a toxicologist, and used to support the granting of the FDA-Index Drug for use for post-procedural pain in mice and rats.

Could dehydration impact the therapeutic dose of Ethiqa XR?
There is no data regarding dehydration and use of Ethiqa XR. Ethiqa XR is administered SQ and is transported from the SQ depot that is formed and then transports into the blood and then to the receptors.

In Mice and Rats: The safety of Ethiqa XR has not been evaluated in pregnant, lactating, neonatal, or immune-compromised mice and rats. As with other opioids, buprenorphine may cause sedation, decreased blood pressure, decreased heart rate, decreased gastrointestinal mobility, and respiratory depression. Use caution with concomitant administration of Ethiqa XR with drugs that cause respiratory depression. The use of paper or soft bedding for up to 3 days following administration of Ethiqa XR should be considered.

Normal mice may exhibit an obtunded response to stimuli up to 4 hours after receiving Ethiqa XR. Weight loss has been observed in mice treated post-procedurally with Ethiqa XR.

Rats may exhibit signs of nausea including pica up to 3 days post-treatment. Rats should be maintained on paper or soft bedding to avoid ingestion of wood chip-type bedding after administration of Ethiqa XR. Please note: Pica involving wood chip-type bedding can be lethal in rats.

Risks related to human exposure: Because of the potential for adverse reactions associated with exposure or accidental injection, Ethiqa XR should only be administered by trained personnel. Protective clothing is recommended when handling the suspension.

Direct contact of Ethiqa XR to the eyes, mouth, skin, or other mucous membranes could result in the absorption of buprenorphine and the potential for adverse reactions, including respiratory depression which can be fatal in some cases. If contact is made to the eye, oral or other mucous membranes, flush the area with water and contact a physician. If contact with the skin, wash the exposed area with soap and water and contact physician. See Boxed Warning  

Concerns or adverse events can be reported by calling Fidelis Animal Health at 833-ETHIQAXR (833-384-4729).

Only administer Ethiqa XR by subcutaneous injection. Ethiqa XR is not intended for intravenous, intra-arterial, intrathecal, intramuscular, or intra-peritoneal injection. Do not use on mice or rats with pre-existing respiratory deficiencies. Do not keep rats on wood chip-type bedding after administration of Ethiqa XR.

Please report product defects to Fidelis Animal Health at 833-ETHIQAXR (833-384-4729).