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Client Factsheets > Dogs > Medication: Maropitant

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CONTRIBUTOR(S): Vetstream Ltd, Gigi Davidson, Fear Free,

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Medication: Maropitant

Medication: Maropitant

Your dog has been prescribed the active ingredient maropitant to prevent or treat vomiting. Maropitant has also been used to decrease cough in dogs with airway disease.

Key points:
• Anti-emetic.
• Anti-tussive.
• Tablets are recommended for use in dogs >8 weeks for prevention of acute vomiting and for dogs >16 weeks for prevention of vomiting due to motion sickness.
• Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals.
• Do not give to animals that may have ingested a toxin because this drug will prevent the ability to induce vomiting.
• Dosage: tablet once a day for up to 5 consecutive days.

This information sheet is designed to help answer commonly asked questions and help you give the medication safely and effectively to your pet. It does not contain all available information for this medication. If you have other questions or need more information, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.Always follow the dosing instructions provided by your veterinarian. 

Name, Brand names, Class of medication and Storage

Name
  • Maropitant (ma-ROP-i-tent).
Brand name
  • Cerenia®.
Class of drug
  • Anti-emetic.
Storage
  • Store at controlled room temperature (20-25°C; 68-77°F) with excursions between 15-30°C (59-86°F).
  • Injection should be stored in the refrigerator (2°-8° C) and discarded 90 days after first puncture or after 25 punctures.

Why has my dog been prescribed maropitant?

Your veterinarian has prescribed maropitant to treat and prevent emesis (vomiting) in your dog.

Maropitant can also be prescribed for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and motion sickness. Maropitant may also be used to reduce cough in dogs with airway disease.

How is the medication given?

Maropitant can be given either by mouth (tablet) or by injection by your veterinarian. The tablets are best given with food.

If prescribed for motion sickness, dogs should be fasted 1 hour prior to administration and the tablets given 2 hours prior to travel.

Are there any side-effects or drug interactions?

Transient pain at the injection site is a rare occurrence. Vomiting may occur if maropitant is given on an empty stomach.

Maropitant should be used with caution in dogs with heart disease or liver disease. Bone marrow suppression has been seen in puppies less than 11 weeks old who received the motion-sickness dose of maropitant.

Maropitant should not be given with calcium channel antagonist drugs (amlodipine, diltiazem, verapamil). Drugs that prolong the QT interval (cisapride, domperidone, quinidine, and sotalol) should not be given with maropitant.

How long will my dog need to receive this medication?

Treatment with maropitant either by injection and/or tablets. It is usually given for up to 5 days but may be given for a longer period to prevent breakthrough vomiting.

For motion sickness, maropitant can be given for up to 2 days. For reducing cough associated with airway disease, maropitant may be given for up to 2 weeks.

How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?

Dispose of any unused maropitant safely – do not flush down the toilet or sink. Ask your veterinary team if they take back medication for disposal. Do not save maropitant for future use or give to other pets.

What if I miss a dose or give an extra dose?

If it is suspected that any of the dose has been lost or if vomiting occurs within 2 hours of administration, re-dose with another full dose. If you miss a dose, give the dose as soon as possible but do not double up a dose. Make sure the dose given does not exceed the total recommended amount in any 24-hour period. Maropitant has been given to dogs at three times the labeled dose for three times the labeled duration without causing any adverse effects.

My dog is unwell, should I still give the drug?

If your pet is unwell, contact your veterinarian for advice.

What should I do if this medication is accidentally given to another pet or taken by a human?

Maropitant should only be given to the dog that it has been prescribed for:

  • Do not give to other pets in the household
  • Do not give to dogs less than 8 weeks old for prevention of acute vomiting and for dogs less than 16 weeks for prevention of vomiting due to motion sickness
  • Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals
  • Do not give to animals with heart or liver disease
  • If accidentally given to other pets, contact your veterinarian for advice.

If accidentally eaten by a human, speak to your primary care physician or poison control center.

Will my dog need to be monitored while on maropitant?

There are no specific monitoring requirements while taking maropitant, but heart and liver function testing may be required if your dog is on long-term treatment.

Further information

If you have any concerns, further information on maropitant can be found on the package insert and the following websites:

Europe & UK

USA

Always follow the recommended dosage and contact your veterinary team or pharmacist if you have any questions regarding your dog’s medication.

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