Cerenia for Dogs

Cerenia (generic name: maropitant) is a prescription anti‑vomiting/anti‑nausea medicine for dogs. It works by blocking NK1 receptors in the brain to stop the signals that cause vomiting. It is Rx‑only and approved for dogs. Top uses your team will hear about: 1) preventing sudden (acute) vomiting as directed by the veterinarian, and 2) preventing vomiting from motion sickness (car rides). It controls vomiting but doesn’t fix the underlying cause—your veterinarian can discuss what’s causing the signs and the overall treatment plan. It’s generally non‑drowsy. Uncommon side effects reported include decreased appetite, lethargy, drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea. If an owner reports repeated vomiting, blood in vomit, a bloated/firm abdomen, collapse, or the dog cannot keep water down, advise immediate emergency care. For timing of doses, how long to use it, and possible drug interactions, defer to the veterinarian.

Common owner FAQs (quick answers) - Q: What does Cerenia do? A: It’s a prescription anti-nausea/anti-vomiting medicine for dogs. It’s generally non‑sedating and its effect lasts about 24 hours. Your veterinarian prescribes it for problems like sudden vomiting or to help prevent vomiting with car rides. - Q: Is it safe for my puppy? A: Cerenia has specific age directions: it’s labeled for acute vomiting in dogs 2+ months old and for motion sickness in dogs 4+ months old. Your veterinarian will decide if it’s appropriate based on age, health history, and the reason for use. - Q: Can I give it with food or other meds? A: Many dogs do fine taking it with a small amount of food, and that can help reduce stomach upset. Some medicines can interact with maropitant (for example, certain antibiotics, antifungals, seizure meds, and NSAIDs). Always tell us what your dog is taking and let the veterinarian advise on combinations. - Q: What if my dog vomits after I give it, or is still vomiting? A: Don’t give an extra or replacement dose without veterinary guidance. Call us so the medical team can advise. If your dog can’t keep water down, is very lethargic, or you see blood, a bloated/painful belly, collapse, or suspected toxin exposure, seek emergency care immediately. - Q: Can I use it for car rides? A: Yes—Cerenia is FDA‑approved to help prevent vomiting due to motion sickness in dogs. The timing and plan for travel use should come from your veterinarian; we’re happy to relay their instructions.

What owners most often report after a Cerenia dose are mild, short‑lived effects: drooling, tiredness/low energy, less interest in food, soft stool or diarrhea, or an occasional vomit soon after dosing. If your dog received an injection, a brief yelp at the time of injection or soreness at the site can occur. These effects are typically mild and temporary. Your veterinarian can discuss what is expected for your dog based on why Cerenia was prescribed. Call us the same day if vomiting continues despite the dose, your dog can’t keep water down, diarrhea happens more than a couple of times, appetite does not return, or your dog seems very weak, wobbly/uncoordinated, or trembly. Rare but serious reactions include allergic signs (facial swelling, hives), blood in vomit or stool, or trouble breathing. If trouble breathing, collapse, or facial swelling occurs, treat this as an emergency and seek immediate care. Do not change how you give the medication unless a veterinarian advises you to.

What it is and forms: Cerenia (maropitant) is a prescription anti‑nausea/anti‑vomiting medicine for dogs. It’s most commonly dispensed as scored oral tablets for at‑home use; an injectable form is typically given only by veterinary staff. Handle tablets with dry hands, wash hands after giving, and keep tablets in the blister pack until needed. How to give and food tips: Give the tablet with a small amount of food to reduce the chance of vomiting right after dosing. For car‑ride motion sickness, many veterinarians instruct giving the dose about 2 hours before travel with a small snack—not a full meal. Avoid wrapping the tablet tightly in fatty foods (e.g., cheese, hot dogs, peanut butter), which can delay absorption; a small amount of regular dog food or a non‑fatty soft treat typically works better. If the dog tends to chew pills, use the “two‑treat” trick (treat, pill in small non‑fatty treat, then another treat) and encourage a quick swallow; do not crush tablets unless your veterinarian specifically advises it. Troubleshooting and when to call: If your dog vomits the dose right away, do not automatically re‑dose; call the clinic for guidance. If tablets are a struggle, your veterinarian can discuss alternatives, including giving the medication in‑clinic or whether a compounded maropitant formulation is appropriate; note that compounded versions are not FDA‑approved and are used only when needed. Escalate immediately if your dog has repeated vomiting despite medication, can’t keep water down, has blood in vomit, a swollen/painful belly, severe lethargy/collapse, or any sudden worsening—this warrants urgent or emergency care.

Cerenia (maropitant) tablets are a prescription-only anti‑nausea/anti‑vomiting medication for dogs. Because it is Rx-only, a valid veterinarian‑client‑patient relationship (VCPR) is required, and refills must be explicitly authorized by the prescribing veterinarian—unlimited or automatic refills are not appropriate. The product labeling and FDA communications confirm it is for dogs and requires veterinary oversight. Your veterinarian will decide if a recheck exam is needed before authorizing more medication, especially if vomiting is ongoing or Cerenia is being requested frequently. [Do not provide dosing details to callers—your veterinarian can discuss how and when to use it.]. Refill workflow (front office): collect pet name, species (dog), owner contact, medication name/form (Cerenia tablets), prescribing veterinarian, last fill date, current supply remaining, purpose (e.g., motion sickness for an upcoming trip and travel date), preferred pickup vs. pharmacy, and any noted side effects. Standard turnaround is 1–2 business days; mark "priority" if the pet is traveling soon. For outside/online pharmacies, document the request and send a written/electronic prescription per clinic policy; the AVMA advises honoring client requests and using properly licensed pharmacies (NABP‑accredited is one quality marker). The veterinarian can advise on frequency of refills and if a re-examination is required. Escalation: if the dog cannot keep water down, is repeatedly vomiting or retching, has blood in vomit, is very weak, or has a swollen/painful abdomen, advise same‑day urgent care or an emergency hospital and alert the veterinarian. Do not suggest starting, stopping, or changing any medication—your veterinarian will provide guidance.

Cerenia (maropitant) is generally well tolerated, but rare, severe reactions require immediate escalation. Treat as an emergency if, after a dose or injection, the dog shows facial/head swelling, hives, trouble breathing, pale gums, collapse or loss of consciousness, or severe lethargy. Neurologic red flags (ataxia/stumbling, tremors, convulsions/seizures) or high fever also warrant urgent veterinary assessment. Post-approval reports for maropitant include anaphylaxis/anaphylactoid reactions, dyspnea, collapse, and neurologic signs—get a veterinarian or technician right away. Your veterinarian can discuss risks, monitoring, and next steps for that patient. Possible overdose/toxicity signs include vomiting, excessive drooling, soft stools/diarrhea, weakness, marked lethargy, and in some cases incoordination, tremors, or seizures. Very young puppies are more susceptible to bone marrow effects at high exposures. If extra tablets were ingested or you suspect an overdose, escalate immediately and consider contacting a poison control resource (ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 888-426-4435; Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661) in addition to alerting the veterinarian. If vomiting or retching continues despite Cerenia, same-day reevaluation is recommended; the veterinarian can determine appropriate care and whether medication adjustments are needed.

Cerenia (maropitant) is often used alongside other meds for vomiting or GI upset. Flag and document all other medications and supplements the dog is getting, especially: NSAIDs for pain (e.g., carprofen, meloxicam), anticonvulsants (e.g., phenobarbital), certain antibiotics (chloramphenicol, erythromycin), and antifungals in the azole class (ketoconazole, itraconazole). Maropitant is highly protein‑bound and its metabolism can be affected by other drugs, so these combinations warrant a veterinarian review before advising anything further. Owners may also mention common OTC human products such as Pepto‑Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate), Pepcid (famotidine), Prilosec (omeprazole), Dramamine/meclizine, or Benadryl (diphenhydramine); note them and route to the veterinarian for guidance. When to flag immediately: any mention of the meds above; use in dogs with known liver disease; or if multiple new meds were started recently. Urgent red flags to escalate to the veterinarian right away: severe lethargy or collapse, tremors/seizures, black or tarry stool, vomiting blood, or yellow gums/eyes. Your veterinarian can discuss whether Cerenia should be continued and how to coordinate timing with the other medications.

Tablets: Store Cerenia (maropitant) tablets at controlled room temperature 68–77°F (20–25°C), with brief excursions 59–86°F (15–30°C) permitted. Keep in a secure, childproof and pet-proof place. People should wash hands after handling; the drug can irritate eyes—if eye contact occurs, flush with water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention. Your veterinarian can advise what to do if tablets were left in a hot car or otherwise exposed to extreme temperatures. Clinic/dispensing note for injectable vials (staff handling): Store unopened vials at 68–77°F (20–25°C), excursions 59–86°F. After the first puncture, refrigerate at 36–46°F (2–8°C) and use within 90 days; do not freeze. The stopper may be punctured up to 25 times. Disposal: Prefer a DEA/FDA drug take‑back site or mail‑back program. If no take‑back is available and the medicine is not on the FDA Flush List, mix tablets with an unappealing substance (used coffee grounds or cat litter), seal in a container/bag, and place in household trash—do not crush tablets. Remove or mark out personal information on packaging. The U.S. tablet label does not list a special “after opening” shelf‑life (e.g., for split tablets); if owners ask about storing partial tablets, your veterinarian can provide clinic‑specific instructions. If a child or another pet accidentally swallows this medicine—or if a person has significant eye exposure—contact Poison Control or an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.

For most dogs, Cerenia (maropitant) does not require routine bloodwork when used short‑term to control vomiting or for motion sickness. Because the drug is processed by the liver, a veterinarian may recommend baseline or periodic liver blood tests if a dog has known liver disease or will be receiving repeated courses; your veterinarian can discuss if that applies to a specific patient. Known side effects are uncommon but can include lethargy, decreased appetite, diarrhea, drooling, or discomfort at an injection site; rare allergic reactions (such as facial swelling or trouble breathing) have been reported. Scheduling: If a dog was treated for acute vomiting and started on Cerenia, plan a re‑evaluation if vomiting persists despite treatment or if the dog cannot keep water or medication down. As a general triage rule, vomiting or diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours warrants a doctor recheck; the veterinarian will set the exact timeline for each case and advise on any needed labs. What owners should monitor at home: track vomiting episodes, appetite, ability to hold down water/meds, stool changes, and any side effects. Escalate immediately for emergency signs such as repeated vomiting with inability to keep water down, blood in vomit or black/tarry stools, severe lethargy/weakness, abdominal distention/pain, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, collapse, or suspected toxin/foreign‑body ingestion—advise same‑day emergency care. Your veterinarian can tailor the follow‑up plan based on the dog’s underlying condition and response.

Cerenia (maropitant) is a prescription anti‑nausea and anti‑vomiting medication for dogs. It’s FDA‑approved to prevent and treat acute vomiting in dogs and to help prevent vomiting from motion sickness in dogs old enough for that use. It is non‑sedating and typically works for about 24 hours. Only a veterinarian can determine if Cerenia is appropriate for a specific dog and provide the exact directions for use. Safety points for front-desk calls: remind callers that Cerenia is Rx‑only and should be used under veterinary guidance. Important label cautions include: use for acute vomiting in dogs 2 months and older, and for motion‑sickness prevention in dogs 4 months and older; use with caution in dogs with liver disease; and safety has not been established in dogs with gastrointestinal obstruction or after toxin ingestion. Advise handlers to wash hands after handling tablets and avoid eye contact per FDA handling guidance. Defer questions about dosing, timing, drug interactions, or whether to start/stop the medication to the veterinarian. Triage/escalation: if the caller reports red or black vomit, repeated vomiting, inability to keep water down, a bloated/painful abdomen, collapse, or marked lethargy, treat this as urgent and direct them to immediate veterinary care or the nearest ER, then alert the medical team. Phrases to avoid: “Give X amount or X mg,” “It’s fine to start/stop on your own,” “It’s safe for all dogs,” or giving timing/dose instructions—route these to the veterinarian.