Proin for Dogs: A Medication to Treat Urinary Incontinence

If you’ve seen a small wet area beneath your dog’s rump after they’ve been napping, they might have urinary incontinence. It causes your dog to leak urine without any control. Urinary incontinence is most common in spayed female dogs.

For pet parents looking for treatments, Proin (phenylpropanolamine) for dogs may be a good option. Find out more about the safety and use of Proin for dogs below.

Proin for dogs at a glance

What is Proin for dogs, and what is it used for?  

Proin for dogs is an FDA-approved medication for treating canine urinary incontinence. The medication is primarily used to manage urinary incontinence that’s caused by poor muscle tone in the urethral sphincter at the base of the bladder. This issue is most common in spayed female dogs.

Proin can also be used off-label for retrograde ejaculation. This is when sperm enter the bladder during ejaculation instead of exiting through the penis. If a breeding male dog is pretreated with Proin, he is less likely to experience retrograde ejaculation.

Proin is not approved for use in humans. It has been shown to increase the risk of strokes and bleeding in the brain in people between the ages of 18 and 49. It can also be used in the illegal production of methamphetamine. Proin is a controlled substance in some states.

What is the dosage of Proin for dogs, and how is it given?

The dosage of Proin for dogs depends on whether you are giving the immediate-release formulation or the extended-release formulation. 

Immediate-release Proin dosage for dogs

For the immediate-release formulation of Proin, the dog should receive 2 mg per kilogram of body weight by mouth every 12 hours. This form of Proin is available in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 75 mg chewable tablets.

Proin extended-release dosage for dogs

For the extended-release (ER) formulation of Proin, the normal dosage for dogs is 2 mg to 4 mg per kilogram of body weight by mouth once daily. Give this dose with food. 

Dogs under about 10 lbs cannot be safely given Proin ER with the tablet sizes currently available. The sizes include 18 mg, 38 mg, 74 mg, and 145 mg tablets.

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Off-label Proin dosage for dogs

The off-label dosage for retrograde ejaculation is 3 mg to 4 mg per kilogram of body weight by mouth twice daily of the immediate-release formulation.

What are the common side effects of Proin in dogs?

Common side effects of Proin in dogs include:

• Vomiting

• Elevated blood pressure (hypertension)

• Loss of appetite

• Weight loss

• Protein loss in urine (proteinuria)

• Anxiety, restlessness, or behavior changes

• Diarrhea

• Increased thirst

• Lethargy

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What are the most serious risks of Proin for dogs?

Rarely, long-term use of Proin results in structural changes to the heart. Specifically, it can cause enlargement of the heart’s ventricles. Changes to the structure of the heart can lead to abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and congestive heart failure.

Dogs taking Proin can also experience seizures, sudden collapse, or death — though these side effects are also rare. They may be more common in dogs with preexisting conditions.

Because of its effects on blood pressure, phenylpropanolamine should be used with caution in dogs with:

• Heart disease

• Glaucoma

• Enlarged prostate

• Hyperthyroidism

• Diabetes

• Cushing’s disease

• Liver disease

• High blood pressure

• Kidney disease

Does Proin interact with any other dog medications?

Proin can interact with other medications your dog may be taking, including:

• Aspirin

• Inhalant anesthetics like isoflurane

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like selegiline

• Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline or clomipramine

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like carprofen or meloxicam

• Reserpine

• Halothane (an anesthesia medication)

Always check with your veterinarian to confirm the safety of giving Proin to a dog who takes other medications.

What should you do if your dog misses a dose of Proin?

If you miss giving your dog a dose of Proin, give the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s close to the time of your dog’s next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your dog’s regular medication schedule.

If you have concerns about the timing of dosing for Proin, it’s best to speak with your veterinarian.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Rhiannon Koehler, DVM, MPH

Rhiannon Koehler, DVM, MPH, has been involved in veterinary medicine for over a decade. Her clinical practice mainly involves care for shelter animals, low-cost care for underprivileged families, and wellness care for pet parents.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

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