Cerenia for Cats: A Medication to Treat Nausea and Vomiting
Key takeaways:
Cerenia (maropitant citrate) for cats is a fast-acting prescription medication to stop or prevent nausea and vomiting in cats. It comes in an injectable and tablet form.
Cerenia works by reducing the feeling of nausea in your cat’s central nervous system. It can help a cat feel better fast, but it does not treat or resolve underlying gut problems.
While Cerenia is safe for most cats, it is not an appropriate treatment for chronic vomiting unless explicitly recommended by your veterinarian.
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Table of contents
Vomiting is one of the top reasons pet parents take their cat to the veterinarian. There are many reasons why cats vomit. And nausea makes cats feel as stressed and awful, just as it does for people.
Fortunately, Cerenia (maropitant citrate) for cats is a medication that can be safely used to reduce nausea and short-term vomiting, helping cats feel better fast.
Cerenia for cats at a glance
Common names | Cerenia (maropitant citrate) |
What it treats | Nausea and short-term vomiting |
How it comes (forms) | Injection given by veterinarian; tablets |
Common side effects | Fever, dehydration, excessive tiredness, drooling, blood in the urine |
Average cost | $21 (tablets) |
What is Cerenia for cats, and how does it work?
The active ingredient of Cerenia is maropitant citrate. This medicine blocks substance P — a chemical messenger involved in nausea and vomiting in a cat’s nervous system. By blocking this chemical messenger, Cerenia prevents nausea and, as a result, vomiting. Cerenia does not affect your cat’s digestive system.
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Cerenia is a prescription medication that should be given only under the guidance of a veterinarian.
What is Cerenia used for in cats?
Cerenia for cats can be used to treat nausea and vomiting due to various causes, including the following:
Gastroenteritis (inflammation of the gut)
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Inflammatory bowel disease
Eating something that doesn’t agree with your cat
Intestinal infections
Cancer (can help manage the side effects of chemotherapy)
Surgery (can help reduce nausea associated with anesthesia)
Nausea due to another medication reaction
Cerenia does not treat the cause of nausea and vomiting. But it can be used to reduce nausea and help your cat feel better, giving your veterinarian time to diagnose the underlying problem.
What is the dosage of Cerenia for cats, and how is it given?
Cerenia for cats comes in an FDA-approved injectable form that can be given intravenously or as an injection under the skin. The typical dosage of injectable Cerenia is 1 mg per kilogram of a cat’s body weight. It is usually given by veterinary professionals. Injectable Cerenia works within minutes.
The tablet form of Cerenia is FDA approved only for use in dogs, but Cerenia tablets are commonly prescribed off-label for cats. Cerenia tablets are peach colored and scored with a break line. They are packaged in blister packs containing 4 tablets and come in doses of 16 mg and 24 mg.
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Oral Cerenia takes 1 to 2 hours to take effect. Give the medication with a small amount of food. But Cerenia can be given on an empty stomach if your cat isn’t eating.
Each dose of Cerenia is effective at reducing nausea and vomiting for about 24 hours. Cerenia is typically given once every 24 hours.
What are the common side effects of Cerenia in cats?
In general, most cats tolerate Cerenia well, and it rarely causes negative side effects. The most common side effects in cats reported to the manufacturer included:
Fever
Dehydration
Excessive tiredness
Drooling
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In addition, pain and swelling at the injection site have been reported in cats. Cats may also hiss or retreat when the injection is given. Side effects are generally short lived with Cerenia, but they may last longer in cats with liver or kidney disease.
What are the most serious risks of Cerenia for cats?
Cerenia is generally safe for cats. But there have been cases of cats who develop trouble breathing and weakness after a Cerenia overdose. This is why it is important to give Cerenia under the supervision of a veterinarian and as directed on your cat’s prescription.
In some situations, Cerenia may not be an appropriate medication based on the cause of your cat’s nausea and vomiting. This can include:
Cats who are under 8 weeks of age
Cats who are pregnant or nursing
Cats who could have ingested poisons or toxic substances
Cats who could have an intestinal obstruction
Cats who have been vomiting longer than 3 days
Does Cerenia interact with any other cat medications?
Cerenia can be given with most medications. But if your cat takes any of the following medicines, check with your veterinarian before giving your cat Cerenia:
Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
Erythromycin (Gallimycin)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like meloxicam (Metacam) or robenacoxib (Onsior)
Phenobarbital
What should you do if your cat misses a dose of Cerenia?
If you miss giving your cat a dose of Cerenia, then give the next dose as soon as possible. Don’t give two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose. If you have questions, contact your cat’s veterinarian for guidance.
The bottom line
Cerenia (maropitant citrate) for cats is a safe, fast-acting medication to reduce acute nausea and vomiting in cats. It’s available as an injection given by your cat’s veterinarian or as a tablet given to your cat by mouth. Cerenia can cause side effects, such as drooling or excessive tiredness. But most cats tolerate Cerenia well and don’t have many side effects. Like any prescription medication, it should be given under the supervision of a veterinarian.
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References
Brooks, W. (2022). Maropitant citrate (cerenia). Veterinary Partner.
FDA.report. (2019). Cerenia- maropitant citrate injection [package insert].
Quimby, J. M. (2020). Maropitant use in cats. Today’s Veterinary Practice.
Quimby, J. M., et al. (2015). Chronic use of maropitant for the management of vomiting and inappetence in cats with chronic kidney disease: A blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.
Today’s Veterinary Practice. (2018). Top 10 reasons why pets see a veterinarian.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022). Get the facts about pain relievers for pets.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). FDA approves first generic maropitant citrate tablets for use in dogs to prevent vomiting.
