Morantel Tartrate
Morantel tartrate
Also known as: Rumatel · Goat Care-2X · CP-12009-18 · moranteli hydrogenotartras · UK-2964-18
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
Cattle
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible parasites | 9.68 mg/kg | PO | Single dose | — | 🌎 NA |
| Susceptible parasites | 0.44 grams of morantel tartrate per 100 lbs of body weight | PO | Single dose | — | 🌎 NA |
| Susceptible parasites | 8.8 mg/kg | PO | Single dose | — | 🌎 NA |
- Susceptible parasites: Feed at the rate of 10 lbs of premix per ton of food per 100 lbs of body weight.
Sheep
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible parasites | 10 mg/kg | PO | Single dose | — | 🌎 NA |
Goats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible parasites | 0.44 grams morantel tartrate per 100 lb. body weight | PO | Single dose | — | 🌎 NA |
| Susceptible parasites | 10 mg/kg | PO | Single dose | — | 🌎 NA |
- Susceptible parasites: As a single therapeutic treatment. Conditions of constant worm exposure may require retreatment in 2-4 weeks.
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Morantel tartrate is a tetrahydropyrimidine anthelmintic primarily used in ruminants (cattle, sheep, and goats) for the removal of mature gastrointestinal nematodes.
- Key Targets: Mature forms of Haemonchus spp., Ostertagia spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Nematodirus spp., Cooperia spp., and Oesophagostomum radiatum.
- Clinical Pearl: Closely related to pyrantel, morantel is specifically formulated and utilized for ruminants. It boasts a very wide safety margin and is generally safe for use in pregnant animals.
Mechanism of action
Morantel acts as a depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent in susceptible parasites.
- Nicotinic Agonist: It possesses nicotine-like properties, mimicking acetylcholine at the parasite's neuromuscular junction → continuous depolarization → spastic paralysis of the worm → expulsion from the host's GI tract.
- Enzyme Inhibition: It also inhibits fumarate reductase in Haemonchus spp., disrupting the parasite's energy metabolism.
Note: Morantel has a slower onset of action compared to pyrantel but is approximately 100 times more potent.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- No absolute contraindications
Adverse effects
- Increased respiratory rates (at high doses)
- Profuse sweating (at high doses)
- Ataxia (at high doses)
- Cholinergic effects (at high doses)
Precautions
Morantel is considered generally safe to use during pregnancy. Do not mix in feeds containing bentonite. Follow label directions for slaughter withdrawal times (e.g., 14 days for cattle).
Drug interactions
Do not add to feeds containing bentonite.
Similar mechanism of action and toxicity; not recommended for concurrent use.
Similar mechanism of action and toxicity; not recommended for concurrent use.
Observation for adverse effects should be intensified if used concomitantly.
Observation for adverse effects should be intensified if used concomitantly.
Has antagonistic mechanism of action; do not use with morantel.
Monitoring
- Efficacy of parasite clearance (e.g., fecal egg counts)
- Signs of cholinergic toxicity (only if massive overdose is suspected)
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Absorbed rapidly from the upper abomasum and small intestine. Peak levels occur about 4-6 hours after dosing.
Distribution
Acts locally within the GI tract but is also absorbed systemically.
Metabolism
Promptly metabolized in the liver.
Elimination
Within 96 hours of administration, 17% of the drug is excreted in the urine with the remainder in the feces.
Overdose
Morantel tartrate has a large safety margin.
- Cattle: Dosages of up to 200 mg/kg (20 times recommended dose) resulted in no toxic reactions. Cattle receiving 2.5 times recommended dose for 2 weeks showed no toxic signs.
- Sheep: Doses of 4 times recommended were given with no detectable deleterious effects.
- Mice: The LD50 is 5 grams/kg.
Clinical signs of toxicity (if they occur) may include:
- Increased respiratory rates
- Profuse sweating (in species with sweat glands)
- Ataxia
- Other cholinergic effects
Available products
Formulations
- Medicated pellets
- Medicated premix
Veterinary
- Morantel Tartrate Medicated Pellets: 0.194% (880 mg/lb) in 3 lb and 10 lb bags (Goat Care-2X ®)
- Morantel Tartrate Medicated Premix: 88 grams morantel tartrate per lb. in 25 lb bags (Rumatel ® Medicated Premix-88)
Regulatory status
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇪🇺 EU · 🇬🇧 UK · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Store at room temperature (15-30°C, 59-86°F) and protect from light unless otherwise instructed by the manufacturer.
Client information
- Purpose: Used to treat and control common gastrointestinal roundworms in cattle, sheep, and goats.
- Administration: Usually given as a medicated feed pellet or premix. Ensure the animal consumes the entire medicated ration.
- Safety: Highly safe, even for pregnant animals.
- Withdrawal Times: Follow label directions carefully regarding slaughter withdrawal times (e.g., 14 days for some cattle products). There is typically no milk withdrawal time at labeled doses, but always verify with your specific product.
Important: Provide fresh water at all times. Do not mix this medication in feeds containing bentonite.
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.