Aminopentamide
4-(dimethylamino)-2,2-diphenylvaleramide
Also known as: Centrine · Aminopentamide hydrogen sulfate · Dimevamid
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acute abdominal visceral spasm, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea | 10 lbs or less: 0.1 mg; 11-20 lbs: 0.2 mg; 21-50 lbs: 0.3 mg; 51-100 lbs: 0.4 mg; over 100 lbs: 0.5 mg. If desired effect is not attained, dosage may be gradually increased up to 5 times these amounts. | PO, IM, SC | q8-12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| To decrease tenesmus in malabsorption/maldigestion syndromes | 0.1-0.4 mg (total dose) | SC, IM | BID-TID | — | 🌎 NA |
Cats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acute abdominal visceral spasm, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea | 10 lbs or less: 0.1 mg; 11-20 lbs: 0.2 mg; 21-50 lbs: 0.3 mg; 51-100 lbs: 0.4 mg; over 100 lbs: 0.5 mg. If desired effect is not attained, dosage may be gradually increased up to 5 times these amounts. | PO, IM, SC | q8-12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Second-line adjunctive therapy for refractory IBD | 0.1-0.4 mg/kg | SC | BID-TID | — | 🌎 NA |
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Aminopentamide is a veterinary-specific anticholinergic and antispasmodic agent historically used to manage acute abdominal visceral spasms, pylorospasm, hypertrophic gastritis, and associated nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in dogs and cats.
Clinical Pearl: While once common, the use of systemic anticholinergics for non-specific GI upset has largely been superseded by more targeted antiemetics (e.g., maropitant, ondansetron) and prokinetics, due to the risk of inducing ileus and systemic side effects.
Mechanism of action
Aminopentamide acts as a competitive antagonist at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in the parasympathetic nervous system. By blocking acetylcholine binding, it inhibits parasympathetic tone.
- GI Tract: → Decreases smooth muscle contractions (reducing colonic spasms) and reduces gastric acid secretion.
- Systemic: Compared to atropine, it reportedly has a greater targeted effect on reducing colonic contractions with relatively fewer mydriatic (pupil dilating) and salivary (dry mouth) effects, though classic anticholinergic signs can still occur.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Glaucoma (absolute contraindication)
- Pyloric obstruction
- Hypersensitivity to anticholinergic drugs
- Tachycardias secondary to thyrotoxicosis or cardiac insufficiency
- Myocardial ischemia
- Unstable cardiac status during acute hemorrhage
- GI obstructive disease
- Paralytic ileus
- Severe ulcerative colitis
- Obstructive uropathy
- Myasthenia gravis (unless used to reverse adverse muscarinic effects)
- Known or suspected GI infections (e.g., parvovirus enteritis)
Adverse effects
- Dry mouth (xerostomia)
- Dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
- Blurred vision (mydriasis)
- Urinary hesitancy or retention
- Tachycardia
- Decreased GI motility (constipation/ileus)
Precautions
Warning: Antimuscarinic agents can decrease GI motility, potentially prolonging the retention of toxins or infectious agents (e.g., parvovirus). Use with extreme caution in these cases.
Use with caution in patients with:
- Hepatic or renal disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypertension
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) or tachyarrhythmias
- Prostatic hypertrophy
- Esophageal reflux
- Geriatric or pediatric patients
Drug interactions
May enhance the activity of anticholinergic derivatives
May enhance the activity of anticholinergic derivatives
May enhance the activity of anticholinergic derivatives
May enhance the activity of anticholinergic derivatives
May enhance the activity of anticholinergic derivatives
May enhance the activity of anticholinergic derivatives
May potentiate the adverse effects of anticholinergic derivatives
May potentiate the adverse effects of anticholinergic derivatives
May potentiate the adverse effects of anticholinergic derivatives
May increase intraocular pressure
Anticholinergic derivatives may enhance actions
Anticholinergic derivatives may enhance actions
Anticholinergic derivatives may enhance actions
Anticholinergic derivatives may antagonize metoclopramide actions
Monitoring
- Clinical efficacy (resolution of spasms, vomiting, or diarrhea)
- Heart rate (monitor for tachycardia)
- Urination frequency and volume (monitor for urinary retention)
- Eye moisture and pupil size
Overdose
No specific information was located regarding acute overdosage clinical signs or treatment for aminopentamide. Guidelines for atropine overdose may be applied:
- Decontamination: If recent oral ingestion, empty gut contents and administer activated charcoal and saline cathartics.
- Supportive Care: Treat clinical signs symptomatically. Fluid therapy and standard treatments for shock may be instituted. Do not use phenothiazines as they may contribute to anticholinergic effects.
- Antidote (Severe Cases): The use of physostigmine is controversial and reserved for extreme agitation or life-threatening supraventricular/sinus tachycardias. Human pediatric dose (reasonable for small animals): 0.02 mg/kg slow IV, repeat q10 minutes until reversal of toxic effects. Physostigmine adverse effects (bronchoconstriction, bradycardia, seizures) may be treated with small doses of IV atropine.
Available products
Formulations
- Tablets
- Injection
Veterinary
- Aminopentamide Hydrogen Sulfate Tablets: 0.2 mg; Centrine® (Pfizer)
- Aminopentamide Hydrogen Sulfate Injection: 0.5 mg/mL in 10 mL vials; Centrine® (Pfizer)
Regulatory status
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇪🇺 EU · 🇬🇧 UK · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Store aminopentamide tablets and injection at controlled room temperature (15-30°C; 59-86°F).
Client information
Aminopentamide helps relieve stomach and intestinal cramps.
- Watch for side effects: You may notice your pet has a dry mouth, dry eyes, or dilated pupils.
- Important: Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet strains to urinate, cannot urinate, or seems excessively uncomfortable, as this drug can cause urinary retention.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.