Cerenia (maropitant citrate)

Cerenia is a prescription antiemetic (anti-nausea medicine) used in veterinary care to help control vomiting and prevent motion sickness in dogs. This page summarizes how maropitant citrate works, how tablets and injectable forms are used, and key safety and storage considerations. Through CanadianInsulin, access is supported with cash pay options for those without insurance and US shipping from Canada.

What Cerenia for dogs Is and How It Works

Cerenia contains maropitant citrate, a neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonist (blocks a vomiting signal). In simple terms, it helps reduce nausea and vomiting by interrupting substance P signaling in the vomiting center of the brain and related pathways. Because vomiting can have many causes—dietary upset, infection, pancreatitis, toxins, or obstruction—antiemetics are typically used alongside an evaluation of the underlying trigger.

In dogs, maropitant may be prescribed for acute vomiting and for prevention of motion-related nausea. The same active ingredient is used in both Cerenia tablets and the injectable formulation, although practical use differs by setting (home dosing vs clinic administration). CanadianInsulin operates as a prescription referral service.

Who It’s For

This medication is prescribed for dogs when a veterinarian determines that controlling vomiting or preventing travel-related nausea is appropriate. For browsing common reasons antiemetics are considered, see the Vomiting hub, or the Motion Sickness hub for trip-related symptoms. The product is not a substitute for diagnosing serious illness, especially if vomiting is persistent, severe, or accompanied by blood, collapse, abdominal pain, or suspected toxin exposure.

Contraindications and limitations can apply, including prior hypersensitivity to maropitant or ingredients in the formulation. Use can require extra caution when a dog has liver disease (since the drug is metabolized hepatically) or when dehydration and electrolyte problems are present. A veterinarian may also reassess plans when vomiting could reflect intestinal obstruction, parvovirus, or other conditions where antiemesis alone could mask worsening disease. When the prescription is written specifically as Cerenia for dogs, the prescriber is also considering species-appropriate labeling and risk factors.

Dosage and Usage

Follow the prescribing veterinarian’s directions and the product labeling for the exact regimen. In general labeling terms, maropitant is used once daily in dogs, with different mg/kg dosing frameworks depending on whether the goal is motion sickness prevention versus control of acute vomiting. Cerenia tablets for dogs dosage is usually written as a weight-based dose for a defined number of days, and the injectable form is typically administered by a clinic team.

For context on how tablets and injections are used in practice, the guide Cerenia Tablets And Injections summarizes common label-aligned approaches and what to review on the prescription. If vomiting continues despite therapy, or if a dog cannot keep water down, reassessment is generally needed rather than repeating doses on a home-made schedule.

Tablets vs injectable workflows

Tablets are often used when a dog can reliably swallow medication and keep it down, and when the prescriber intends home administration. In contrast, Cerenia injection for dogs is commonly chosen in a clinic when vomiting is active, when oral dosing is not feasible, or when rapid symptom control is needed during evaluation. These workflows affect timing, monitoring, and what documentation is required. A prescription should clearly state the form, strength, and directions, because “Cerenia injection dosage” instructions can differ from directions for tablets even when the goal is similar. The prescriber may also specify whether other supportive care is required.

Why it matters: Form and dosing directions should match the clinical goal and setting.

When a prescription is specifically written for Cerenia for dogs, the directions typically include weight-based dosing, duration, and the indication (vomiting vs travel).

Strengths and Forms

Cerenia is supplied as oral tablets and as an injectable formulation (maropitant citrate) used by veterinary professionals. Strength availability can vary by pharmacy source and country of dispensing, and prescriptions should match what is being dispensed. Some veterinarians prescribe by brand name, while others prescribe as maropitant for dogs (generic name), depending on jurisdiction and availability.

The tablet strengths commonly referenced include Cerenia 16mg for dogs, Cerenia 24mg for dogs, Cerenia 60 mg for dogs, and Cerenia 160 mg for dogs. In listings, these may also appear as maropitant citrate tablets or maropitant citrate tablets for dogs. If a prescriber intends an injectable dose, the order should specify Cerenia injectable rather than tablets; Cerenia for dogs is also used as a general term, so clarity on form helps avoid dispensing errors.

To see other veterinarian-prescribed items on the site, browse the Pet Medications category.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets exactly as directed on the dispensing label, generally in the original container, protected from moisture, and away from heat and direct light. Keep medicines out of reach of children and animals to reduce accidental ingestion. For travel planning, consider organizing all veterinary prescriptions together, including the original pharmacy label and prescriber instructions, so dosing directions are available if care is needed away from home.

For dogs prone to car-related nausea, travel planning may include non-drug steps such as ventilation, stable positioning, and minimizing food right before travel (only if the veterinarian agrees). If motion sickness is the main concern, the Motion Sickness hub can help frame what information to share with a clinic before a trip. Storage guidance does not replace clinical advice; it supports product integrity when Cerenia for dogs is dispensed for home use.

Quick tip: Keep the labeled container with the medication during travel.

Side Effects and Safety

Like other antiemetics, maropitant can cause side effects. Reports in dogs include drooling, lethargy, reduced appetite, diarrhea, or changes in activity, and injection-site discomfort can occur with the injectable product. Because vomiting itself can cause dehydration and weakness, a veterinarian may focus on the overall clinical picture rather than attributing every change to the medicine.

Serious reactions are uncommon but can include allergic-type responses (such as facial swelling, hives, or breathing difficulty) that require urgent veterinary care. Worsening abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, blood in vomit or stool, or collapse should also prompt immediate evaluation, because those signs can indicate a condition beyond nausea control. Prescriptions may be verified with the issuing veterinarian. If Cerenia for dogs is being used for a multi-day plan, monitoring for persistent symptoms and hydration status is typically part of safe use.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Maropitant is highly protein-bound and is metabolized by the liver, so veterinarians may review other medications and supplements before prescribing. Interactions are not limited to one drug class; the main concern is additive effects or changes in metabolism when multiple therapies are used together. Provide a complete medication list to the clinic, including NSAIDs, seizure medicines, supplements, and any recent sedatives.

Dogs with hepatic impairment or significant systemic illness may require closer oversight and conservative planning. Combining multiple antiemetics can be appropriate in selected situations, but it should be directed by a veterinarian, since the goal is symptom control without missing a treatable cause. If other supportive GI therapies are being considered, options may include acid reducers or mucosal protectants; availability varies across the Pet Medications listings. When Cerenia for dogs is part of a broader plan, documentation of all therapies reduces avoidable duplication.

Compare With Alternatives

Antiemetic choice depends on the suspected cause of vomiting, concurrent disease, and whether the goal is motion sickness prevention. Maropitant citrate (Cerenia) blocks NK1 signaling, while other options act on different pathways. For example, metoclopramide is a dopamine antagonist with prokinetic effects in some settings, and it may be considered when a veterinarian is targeting nausea along with gastric motility concerns.

On this site, related prescription items may include Cerenia Injection (injectable form) and Metoclopramide (an alternative antiemetic). Other therapies sometimes used alongside an antiemetic can include acid suppression (famotidine or omeprazole) or mucosal protection (sucralfate products), depending on diagnosis. Switching therapies should be directed by a veterinarian rather than based on response to a single dose.

Pricing and Access

The Cerenia price can vary based on the form (tablets vs injection), tablet strength, prescribed quantity, and whether doses are administered in a clinic. The cost of Cerenia for dogs may also differ when the prescription is written as brand versus as maropitant citrate tablets, depending on what is available to dispense. For general symptom categories that lead to antiemetic prescriptions, the Vomiting hub provides a place to browse related topics.

CanadianInsulin coordinates prescription referral and cross-border access, while dispensing is performed by licensed Canadian pharmacies. If the prescription includes refills or a change in directions, updated documentation may be needed before processing. For site-wide offers that may apply at checkout, see Current Promotions. When access is arranged for Cerenia for dogs, the pharmacy label and the prescriber’s directions should be treated as the controlling instructions.

Authoritative Sources

For the most reliable details, consult the official prescribing information and the veterinarian who issued the prescription. Regulatory listings and product labeling are the primary sources for indications, limitations, and adverse reactions.

Neutral references for labeling and approvals include:

• FDA Animal Drugs database entry: Animal Drugs @ FDA Public Search
• FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine overview: FDA Animal & Veterinary

To place an order, submit the veterinarian’s prescription and select prompt, express, cold-chain shipping.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.