Maropitant
Maropitant citrate (Cereniaยฎ) is a highly effective, FDA-approved **neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor antagonist** used primarily as an antiemetic in veterinary medicine. * **Broad-Spectrum Antiemetic**: Effectively blocks both peripheral and centrally mediated vomiting triggered by various stimuli (e.g., chemotherapy, apomorphine, gastrointestinal irritation). * **Analgesic Properties**: Beyond emesis control, maropitant provides **visceral analgesia** and has been shown to significantly reduce the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) requirements for inhalant anesthetics like sevoflurane. * **Species Use**: Approved for dogs (โฅ16 weeks for general use, though caution is advised in puppies <11 weeks), and widely used extra-label in cats with excellent tolerability. * **Clinical Pearl**: While it does not affect gastric emptying times, it can decrease small intestine contraction pressure patterns.
Mechanism: Maropitant exerts its effects by acting as a potent and selective antagonist at the **neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptors** in the central nervous system (specifically the emetic center and chemoreceptor trigger zone). * **Substance P Inhibition**: It competitively binds to NK-1 receptors, blocking the binding of **Substance P**, a key neuropeptide/neurotransmitter involved in the emetic pathway. * **Dual Action**: Because Substance P is the final common pathway for vomiting, maropitant effectively suppresses emesis triggered by both **central** and **peripheral** stimuli. * **Pain Modulation**: Substance P is also heavily involved in nociception; blocking its receptors in the visceral pathways provides significant visceral pain relief.
Dosing by species
- As an antiemetic ยท 1 mg/kg ยท SC or PO ยท Unknown ยท Based on pharmacokinetic study
- As an antiemetic ยท 0.5-1 mg/kg ยท SC ยท once daily ยท up to 5 days
- Treatment of vomiting ยท Dose not specified in text ยท SC/IV ยท Not specified ยท Not specified ยท Treatment by injection is recommended for frequent vomiting. Very high doses may cause haemolysis.
- Prevention of acute vomiting ยท 1 mg/kg ยท SC ยท q24h ยท up to 5 consecutive days ยท Given at least one hour prior to anticipated emetogenic event
- Prevention of acute vomiting ยท 2 mg/kg ยท PO ยท q24h ยท up to 5 consecutive days ยท Given at least two hours prior to anticipated emetogenic event
- Treatment of acute vomiting ยท 1 mg/kg ยท SC ยท q24h ยท up to 5 consecutive days ยท If a longer duration of therapy is needed, a 48 hour washout period is recommended due to accumulation of the drug.
- Prevention of vomiting due to motion sickness ยท 8 mg/kg (minimum dose) ยท PO ยท q24h ยท up to 2 consecutive days ยท Given at least two hours prior to travel. If a longer duration of therapy is needed, a 72 hour washout period is recommended.
- Treatment and prevention of vomiting (including chemotherapy) ยท Dose not specified in text ยท PO/SC/IV ยท Not specified (duration of activity is 24 hours) ยท Up to 5 days ยท Repeat treatment at a lower dose may be adequate in some individuals. If longer periods of treatment are required, a 72-hour interval is recommended between courses.
Routes of administration
Contraindications
- Puppies less than 11 weeks old (due to risk of bone marrow hypoplasia)
- Suspected gastrointestinal obstruction
- Suspected gastrointestinal perforation
- Use for longer than 48 hours without a definitive diagnosis
Adverse effects
- Pre-travel vomiting (especially at higher motion sickness doses)
- Hypersalivation
- Pain or swelling at the subcutaneous injection site
- Diarrhea
- Anorexia
- Localized injection site reactions (cats)
- Transient pain reaction during injection (very common, especially in cats)
- Haemolysis (at very high doses in cats)
Drug interactions
- Highly protein-bound medications ยท Use with caution; maropitant is highly protein-bound (99.5%) and could theoretically compete for binding sites, though clinical significance is undetermined.
- Calcium-channel antagonists ยท Maropitant has an affinity for calcium-channels; concurrent use should be avoided. ยท major
- Highly protein-bound drugs ยท Maropitant is highly bound to plasma proteins and may compete with other highly bound drugs, potentially altering free drug concentrations. ยท moderate
Monitoring
- Clinical efficacy (decreased episodes of vomiting)
- Adverse effects (e.g., injection site pain, hypersalivation)
- Resolution of vomiting
- Liver function (in patients with pre-existing hepatic disease)
- Signs of gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation
Overdose
Maropitant has a wide margin of safety. * **Dogs**: Tolerance has been confirmed at doses up to 3 times the recommended oral dose (8 mg/kg) for 3 times longer than the maximum duration. * **High-Dose Toxicity (20 mg/kg/day in dogs)**: Can cause emesis, significant body weight loss (8-15%), ECG changes (slight increases in P-R interval, P wave duration, and QRS amplitude), slightly lower serum albumin, and increased adrenal weights. * **Rodent Studies**: Doses up to 30-100 mg/kg PO caused decreased activity, irregular/labored respiration, ataxia, and tremors.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturerโs current label.