The only FDA-approved long-acting transdermal buprenorphine for cats

  • 4 days of continuous post-op pain control


  • Innovative, long-acting technology and convenient dosing


  • Proven effective and safe


Administered once in-clinic, Zorbium removes the need to administer repeat injections or dispense buprenorphine during the critical first few days after surgery.

Zorbium also reduces the challenges of administering pain medications at home and helps limit the risk of opioid misuse by pet owners.

See SAFETY INFORMATION tab for prescribing information including the Boxed Human Warning.

Innovative, long-acting technology

Applied transdermally, Zorbium continually releases buprenorphine into systemic circulation for 4 days.

  • Apply 1 to 2 hours before surgery


  • Dries rapidly after application


  • Absorbs and forms a depot within skin





A user safety study confirmed no risk to adults or children with direct exposure to the dry application site (30 minutes).

Wear impermeable latex or nitrile gloves, protective glasses and a laboratory coat when applying Zorbium.

Convenient dosing

Pre-dosed tubes simplify record keeping and disposal of controlled substances.

Proven effective in client-owned cats undergoing surgery

In a prospective, double-blinded, vehicle controlled, multicenter field study, there was significantly greater treatment success with Zorbium throughout four days.

Proven safety

Adverse events in Zorbium and placebo groups occurred at a similar frequency. Most common adverse events after anesthesia include hypothermia, hyperthermia, sedation and tachypnea.

  • Hypothermia occurred immediately post-op in the majority of cats in both groups.


  • Tachypnea occured at a higher rate in cats receiving placebo versus Zorbium, possibly related to uncontrolled pain.


  • No sedation observed with Zorbium beyond 1 hr after anesthetic recovery.


  • No dysphoria observed with Zorbium beyond 3 hrs after anesthetic recovery.


Zorbium did not affect

  • Urination/Defecation


  • Appetite/Body weight


  • Quality of anesthetic recovery



Body temperature should be monitored postoperatively. Most common adverse reactions during anesthesia were hypothermia, hypotension, and hypertension, and after anesthetic recovery were hypothermia, hyperthermia, and sedation.

Stay in control of opioid analgesia

Zorbium provides reassurance to veterinarians and pet owners during the critical first 4 days following surgery.

  • One in-clinic dose, administered by you


  • Limits opioid misuse opportunities by pet owners


  • Reassurance patients have pain relief on board


How to get Zorbium

Incorporate Zorbium into your postoperative pain protocol today.

  • Contact your local Elanco rep or distributor rep


  • Call Elanco at 1-888-545-5973


Zorbium® (buprenorphine transdermal solution) Resources

Zorbium Master Detailer

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Indication

ZORBIUM is indicated for the control of postoperative pain associated with surgical procedures in cats.

Important Safety Information

Before using ZORBIUM (buprenorphine transdermal solution), read the entire package insert including the Boxed Human Warning. ZORBIUM contains buprenorphine, an opioid that exposes humans to risks of misuse, abuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose and death. Use of buprenorphine may lead to physical dependence. The risk of abuse by humans should be considered when storing, administering, and disposing of ZORBIUM. Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with accidental exposure to or with misuse or abuse of ZORBIUM. ZORBIUM should only be administered by veterinarians or veterinarian technicians who are trained in the handling of potent opioids. Accidental exposure to even one tube of ZORBIUM, especially in children, can result in a fatal overdose. ZORBIUM is for topical application in cats only. Following application to the cat, allow a minimum drying time of 30 minutes before direct contact with the application site. Do not administer to cats with a known hypersensitivity to buprenorphine hydrochloride, any inactive ingredients of ZORBIUM or known intolerance to opioids. Most common adverse reactions during anesthesia were hypothermia, hypotension, and hypertension, and after anesthetic recovery were hypothermia, hyperthermia, and sedation. The safe use of ZORBIUM has not been evaluated in debilitated cats, those with renal, hepatic, cardiac or respiratory disease, pregnant lactating, breeding, in cats younger than four months old or <2.6 lbs or >16.5 lbs. Click to view full product label for additional product safety information.