Cat & Dog - Maropitant

Why has my veterinary surgeon prescribed this medicine?

Maropitant is an anti-emetic (stops vomiting). Your veterinary surgeon may prescribe maropitant to stop vomiting due to gastritis, chemotherapy and also travel sickness.

How does this medicine work?

Maropitant acts in the central nervous system to prevent a particular peptide (protein -substance P) from binding to certain neurokinin receptors (NK1), which are involved in causing vomiting.

How do I give this medication?

• Give this medication to your pet as directed by your veterinary surgeon. READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY. Remove tablets from the packaging carefully by following the instructions.
• Give your pet a light meal or snack before administering the medicine but DO NOT wrap or encapsulate the tablet in food because this may delay dissolution of the tablet.
• Try to give this medication at about the same time each day.
• Wash your hands after handling the medication. In case of accidental ingestion seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet of label to the physician.
• DO NOT give the pet more medicine than directed and DO NOT give more often than directed.
• Do not give this medication for longer than directed and try not to miss giving any doses.

What if I miss giving a dose?

Give the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule. Do not give the pet two doses at once.

How do I store this medicine?

Keep this medicine out of reach of children. Half tablets should be stored in the open blister and cardboard outer pack and used within 2 days.

Potential side effects

• Although a drug has potential side effects, it does not mean that there is necessarily a high risk of any of these occurring. Tell your veterinary surgeon if you think your pet is less than 4 months of age, or may be pregnant or is nursing puppies.
• Maropitant should be used with caution in animals with liver disease or certain heart conditions and your veterinary surgeon may need to monitor your dog.
• Maropitant may cause vomiting if administered on a completely empty stomach. Other potential side effects include excess salivation (saliva production) and watery faeces. Notify your veterinary surgeon if side effects appear and remain troublesome.

Possible drug interactions

• Make sure to tell your veterinary surgeon what other medication you are giving to your pet.
• Drugs may interact such that they can cause an increased or decreased effect or side effects. Maropitant should not be used at the same time as Ca-channel antagonists. Maropitant binds to plasma proteins and may compete with other highly plasma-protein bound drugs. Although drug interactions may occur, it does not mean that there is necessarily a high risk of any of these occurring.
• Contact your veterinary surgeon if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.