Cerenia for Cats

Cerenia (generic name maropitant) is a prescription anti-nausea/anti-vomiting medicine for cats. It works by blocking a vomiting signal in the brain to help stop vomiting. Top reason it’s prescribed: treatment of vomiting in cats (FDA‑approved use). Your veterinarian can explain why it was chosen for this cat and how long they plan to use it. Fast facts: Species—cats. Status—Rx‑only (not over the counter). If an owner reports nonstop vomiting, blood in vomit, the cat can’t keep water down, is very weak/listless, or there’s a suspected toxin, alert a veterinarian immediately and direct the caller to urgent or emergency care.

Front-desk quick FAQs owners ask about Cerenia (maropitant) for cats: - Q: What is Cerenia and why was it prescribed? A: It’s a prescription anti‑nausea medication that helps control vomiting by blocking vomiting signals in the brain. In cats, the FDA‑approved form is the injectable used by the veterinary team; your veterinarian may discuss other forms if appropriate. Your veterinarian can explain your cat’s specific plan. [Sources below] - Q: How fast does it work and how long does it last? A: Many cats improve within a few hours, and a single dose typically provides about 24 hours of effect. If your cat keeps vomiting despite treatment, please contact the clinic; your veterinarian may want to re‑evaluate. - Q: What side effects should I watch for? A: Brief pain or vocalization at the injection is common in cats. Less common effects include drooling, tiredness, decreased appetite, fever, or dehydration. Seek emergency care now if you see trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, or repeated vomiting with blood or severe lethargy. - Q: Can Cerenia be used for car rides/motion sickness in cats? A: Only the injection is approved for cats, and the product is not labeled for motion sickness in cats. Your veterinarian can discuss the best travel plan for your cat. - Q: Is it safe with my cat’s other medicines or health issues? A: Tell us about all medications and any liver or heart concerns—Cerenia is processed by the liver and can interact with other drugs. Your veterinarian will advise what’s safe for your cat.

What owners most often report with Cerenia (maropitant) in cats: brief crying/yowling or retreating right at the time of the injection because it can sting; this reaction usually lasts seconds to a few minutes. Mild, short‑term effects can include drooling, low energy/sleepiness, less interest in food, soft stool/diarrhea, and occasional dehydration or fever noted in studies. Small localized injection reactions have been observed in safety studies. These effects are typically mild and short‑lived (generally resolve within a day). Your veterinarian can discuss what’s expected for that individual cat. ([dailymed.nlm.nih.gov](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?audience=consumer&setid=6aeda328-97c9-4868-8ecb-b3a4dcdbc0a0&utm_source=openai)) Advise a same‑day call if: vomiting is still ongoing despite Cerenia; drooling or nausea behaviors continue beyond about an hour after a dose; the cat won’t eat for 24 hours; diarrhea is repeated; or there is notable/worsening soreness or a firm lump at an injection site. Escalate urgently if any of the following occur after Cerenia: trouble breathing or panting, facial swelling or hives, collapse/recumbency or extreme weakness, tremors/convulsions, severe ataxia, or blood in urine. These signs have been reported rarely and need immediate veterinary evaluation. Do not give additional medication or make dosing changes—your veterinarian can advise next steps. ([dailymed.nlm.nih.gov](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?audience=consumer&setid=6aeda328-97c9-4868-8ecb-b3a4dcdbc0a0&utm_source=openai))

Available forms: In cats, maropitant (Cerenia) is given by a veterinarian as an injection; oral tablets are labeled for dogs and may be used in cats only at the veterinarian’s direction. If a tablet is prescribed, give it exactly as directed. Avoid hiding the pill in large or fatty treats, which can slow or reduce absorption; offer only a tiny soft treat or place the pill quickly at the back of the tongue and follow with a small amount of water to help it go down. Do not crush tablets unless the veterinarian specifically instructs—if a cat tastes the medication, it can trigger drooling/foaming and refusal. Your veterinarian can advise what’s appropriate for your patient. Troubleshooting: If the cat chews, spits out, or drools with the pill, try placing the pill inside a small empty gelatin capsule, use a pill “popper,” or lightly coat the capsule with a tiny amount of butter to help it slide. Keep any pill-pocket piece very small so the cat swallows rather than chews. If pilling continues to be difficult, ask the veterinarian about sending a prescription to a compounding pharmacy for options such as a flavored liquid or tiny capsules; do not change the dosage form without the veterinarian’s approval. Vomiting guidance: If the cat vomits right after a dose or you’re unsure how much stayed down, do not re-dose without veterinary direction—call the clinic for advice. Escalate the call urgently if there is repeated vomiting, the cat cannot keep water down, there is blood in vomit, or the cat is very lethargic or weak; these signs may need same-day or emergency care. The veterinarian can discuss next steps and whether an in-clinic injection is warranted.

Cerenia (maropitant) is a prescription anti-nausea/anti-vomiting medication. For cats, the FDA-approved form is the injectable solution for the treatment of vomiting; maropitant tablets are FDA‑approved for dogs, and may be prescribed for cats only at the veterinarian’s discretion (off‑label). All refills require doctor approval. If a cat is actively vomiting or symptoms are changing, the veterinarian will determine whether a recheck exam is needed before approving more medication. For routine refill requests when the pet is stable, standard turnaround is 1–2 business days. Gather: cat’s name and DOB, current symptoms (any vomiting today/overnight), last dose/time taken, any side effects, exact medication name and form (injectable given in-clinic vs. tablets to take at home), preferred pickup or pharmacy, and contact details. Verify last exam date; frequent or repeated refill requests often need a veterinarian review and may trigger a recheck appointment. Do not give dosing advice—your veterinarian can discuss the plan, duration, and any changes. Online pharmacy: ask the client to have the pharmacy send an electronic/fax request. Confirm the pharmacy name and the product requested (Cerenia/maropitant), plus the form (tablets vs. injectable) so the doctor can authorize appropriately. If the cat has repeated vomiting, can’t keep water down, has blood in vomit, is very lethargic, or seems dehydrated, escalate for a same‑day appointment or direct the client to urgent care; the veterinarian will advise next steps.

Escalate to a veterinarian or emergency care immediately if a cat on Cerenia (maropitant) has trouble breathing, facial swelling or hives, sudden collapse, very pale gums, seizures, or is too weak to stand—these can signal a severe allergic reaction or a serious adverse effect. This is an emergency. Your veterinarian can discuss what to do next and whether any monitoring is needed. A brief yowl or flinch at the time of injection is common in cats, but ongoing distress, a very painful or rapidly swelling injection site, widespread hives, or any breathing changes after a dose require urgent escalation. Persistent or worsening vomiting despite Cerenia also needs same‑day veterinary assessment to rule out serious causes. If you suspect an overdose (for example, an extra dose or a pet chewed tablets), watch for drooling, vomiting, tremors, wobbliness/unsteady walking, panting or abnormal breathing, or recumbency. Treat this as urgent: contact the veterinarian or an animal poison control center for immediate guidance. A veterinarian should determine next steps and advise about future dosing or monitoring.

Cerenia (maropitant) is often used with other GI and supportive medications in cats. At check‑in or on the phone, get a full list of everything the cat is taking (prescription, OTC human meds, supplements). Flag for the veterinarian if you hear: antifungals or certain antibiotics that can slow maropitant breakdown (examples: ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, cimetidine); seizure or behavior meds (phenobarbital, fluoxetine); heart medicines or blood‑pressure drugs (especially amlodipine or diltiazem); or any comment that the pet is on “a lot of pain meds/NSAIDs.” Maropitant is highly protein‑bound and metabolized by liver enzymes (cats: CYP1A), so other highly protein‑bound drugs (NSAIDs, some cardiac, anticonvulsant, and behavioral meds) or enzyme inhibitors can change effects—these should be reviewed by the veterinarian before proceeding. Some international labeling advises avoiding use with calcium‑channel blockers; if owners mention amlodipine or diltiazem, escalate to the medical team for review. Your veterinarian can discuss whether timing or monitoring changes are needed before dispensing Cerenia. [Do not advise starting or stopping any medication.] Commonly co‑prescribed meds you may hear with Cerenia (not an interaction list): other anti‑nausea drugs (ondansetron, metoclopramide), acid‑reducers (famotidine or omeprazole), and appetite stimulants (mirtazapine/Mirataz). Still flag the full list for the doctor to check for interactions. OTC human meds owners sometimes give alongside: acetaminophen/Tylenol, ibuprofen/Advil, naproxen/Aleve, and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto‑Bismol/Kaopectate). These are dangerous for cats—especially acetaminophen and salicylates—and any ingestion is an emergency. If an owner reports giving any of these, or the cat has trouble breathing, extreme lethargy/collapse, or gum/face swelling, immediately direct them to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital and provide poison control numbers while you alert the vet team.

What to tell owners at pickup: Cerenia tablets should be stored at normal room temperature (about 68–77°F/20–25°C) in a dry place, away from heat and moisture. Keep tablets in the original blister until it’s time to give a dose, and store all medication out of reach of children and pets. Do not leave medication in a hot car. If tablets were repackaged into a clinic vial, advise owners to follow the labeled beyond‑use/expiration date; your veterinarian can discuss any clinic-specific storage or beyond‑use dating policies. Clinic/handling notes: Unopened Cerenia Injectable vials are stored at controlled room temperature (68–77°F/20–25°C). After the first puncture, the vial must be refrigerated (36–46°F/2–8°C) and used within 90 days; do not freeze. Mark the first-use date on the vial to support correct discard timing and keep vials secured and upright. These vials are typically for in‑clinic use only; if any take‑home product is provided per the veterinarian, ensure the owner understands the refrigeration requirement on their label. Safety & disposal reminders: Keep all forms of Cerenia in child‑resistant containers and locked or out of sight/reach. If a child swallows the medicine or a pet receives more than prescribed, this is urgent—contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic and Poison Control/Animal Poison Control right away. For disposal, recommend DEA take‑back kiosks/events or authorized mail‑back envelopes. If no take‑back is available, mix unused tablets with something unappealing (e.g., used coffee grounds or cat litter), seal in a bag/container, and place in household trash; do not flush unless the label specifically instructs. Your veterinarian can discuss any clinic- or patient‑specific handling questions.

Cerenia (maropitant) controls vomiting in cats, but it does not treat the underlying cause. The product label advises that if vomiting continues despite treatment, the case should be re-evaluated by the veterinarian. For scheduling, offer the next-available recheck appointment any time an owner reports ongoing or recurrent vomiting so the doctor can reassess and address the cause. At home, owners should watch for the ability to keep food and water down, appetite, energy level, stool/urination, and the injection site (a brief sting is common; call if there is heat, redness, or swelling). Urgent red flags that require immediate escalation include repeated or worsening vomiting with inability to keep water down, blood in vomit, collapse, facial swelling or hives, or any trouble breathing. Tell owners that your veterinarian can discuss next steps if these occur and where to seek emergency care after hours. Bloodwork: the label does not specify routine lab monitoring for short-term use in otherwise healthy cats. The veterinarian may request baseline or follow-up liver tests if the cat has known liver disease, is on other interacting medications, or if repeat dosing is planned. Your veterinarian can discuss whether and when bloodwork is recommended and how to time it with any recheck visit.

Cerenia (maropitant) is a prescription anti‑nausea medication. In cats, the FDA‑approved form is the in‑clinic injectable used to treat vomiting (cats 4 months/16 weeks and older). Brief stinging or vocalizing at the time of injection can occur; your veterinarian will determine if Cerenia is appropriate for your cat and how it will be used. Escalate if the caller reports repeated vomiting, blood in vomit, severe lethargy, belly pain, suspected foreign body/string or toxin exposure, or inability to keep water down—offer a same‑day visit. If the cat is collapsing, has pale gums, or is having trouble breathing, direct them to the nearest emergency clinic immediately. Avoid giving dosing advice or telling clients to start/stop any medication; the veterinarian can discuss timing, form, and any monitoring needed. Phrases to avoid: “It’s safe to give at home without an exam,” “This will stop the vomiting right away,” “Use the dog tablets for your cat,” or any specific dosing or frequency statements.