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One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
Choose one species for its overview and dose calculator, or all species to browse the full evidence.
Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
Prevention/treatment of acute vomiting (SC); prevention of acute vomiting and motion sickness (PO)
DogOn-label (ON_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Prevention/treatment of acute vomiting (SC); prevention of acute vomiting and motion sickness (PO) — Authorized (FDA)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Vomiting (various causes), including CKD-associated nausea
CatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Vomiting (various causes), including CKD-associated nausea — Authorized (FDA) — dosing per Papich; extra-label per Plumb's older data
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens3
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects204
Pain/swelling at SC injection site — Common, reduced by refrigerating vial before use
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Hypersalivation, pre-travel vomiting (motion-sickness dosing) — Most common with oral high-dose tablets
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Diarrhea (4–8%), anorexia (1.5–5.2%) — US field trial data
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Vomiting3,202 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')1,735 reports
- Diarrhoea1,621 reports
- Anorexia1,549 reports
- Death by euthanasia1,288 reports
- Death1,221 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS1,112 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)1,084 reports
- Not eating968 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in Neurological)908 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS868 reports
- Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP)770 reports
Cat
- Vomiting701 reports
- Anorexia525 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')444 reports
- Death by euthanasia441 reports
- Not eating405 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in Neurological)365 reports
- Weight loss357 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS349 reports
- Death336 reports
- Behavioural disorder NOS307 reports
- Diarrhoea297 reports
- Ataxia285 reports
Monitoring1
Clinical efficacy (episodes of vomiting); adverse effects
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
None absolute
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions4
Hepatic dysfunction (hepatically metabolized); puppies <11 weeks (bone marrow hypoplasia signal in studies)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Refrigerate the injectable vial before drawing up a dose — this measurably reduces injection pain, a well-documented practical tip.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Revised labeling now supports use up to 14 consecutive days at higher doses, or indefinitely in dogs >7 months until the underlying condition resolves — don't assume the older 5-day/2-day-washout rule still applies.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Always look for and treat the underlying cause of protracted vomiting rather than relying on maropitant alone to mask ongoing disease.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions2
None specifically identified — Used safely alongside metronidazole, beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, famotidine, sucralfate, cimetidine, dexamethasone, ivermectin, and others in field trials
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Alkalinizing IV solutions — Precipitation risk if mixed in same line
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics5
Bioavailability — 24% (2 mg/kg PO) to 37% (8 mg/kg PO), dog — non-linear; 91% SC (dog); ~50% PO / ~100%+ SC (cat)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Protein binding — 99.5%
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Half-life — 4–8h (dog, dose-dependent); ~15h (cat, longer than dog)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Hepatic — CYP2D15 (low-capacity) + CYP3A12 (high-capacity)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Elimination — Hepatic/biliary predominant
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Not evaluated in breeding/pregnant/lactating dogs — use only after risk/benefit assessment.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 757–759; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 473–475 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references10
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Receptor-Targeted Antiemetic Strategies in Cats: A Systematic Review and Intervention-Specific Meta-Analysis.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Influence of Maropitant Citrate on Pollen and Control Intradermal Test Reactivity in Atopic Dogs: A Randomised, Controlled, Blinded Trial.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Evaluation of the antiemetic, sedative and analgesic effects of butorphanol and maropitant in combination with dexmedetomidine in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Incidence of Post-Sedation Emesis in Cynomolgus (Macaca fascicularis) and Rhesus (Macaca mulatta) Macaques, and Evaluation of Prophylactic Antiemetic Efficacy.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Evaluation of Maropitant-Induced Changes in the Electrocardiogram of Healthy Dogs and Comparison of Three Methods for QT Interval Correction.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.
Available products
Products listed in the Health Canada Drug Product Database for this active ingredient. A listing does not establish that a product is authorized for the clinical uses described on this page.