Small Dog Antiemetic Tablets for Vomiting and Motion Sickness Prevention Product Description Maropitant Citrate 16mg Tablets are an FDA-approved veterinary prescription antiemetic used by veterinarians for dogs experiencing acute vomiting and motion sickness. The 16mg strength is intended for the smallest dogs weighing between 2 and 7kg, or approximately 4.4 to 15.4 pounds. It works by sitting on neurokinin-1 receptors in the brainstem, stopping substance P from firing off the vomiting reflex at its central source. As the first FDA-approved generic veterinary equivalent to Cerenia, it offers the same proven antiemetic effect as the branded product at a lower cost. Benefits Smallest Dog Dosing Accuracy: The 16mg strength hits the right weight-based dose for toy and small breed dogs without the need to split tablets. Small Dog Motion Sickness: A practical option for small and toy breeds that regularly deal with car sickness and travel-related nausea and vomiting. Chemotherapy Nausea Control: Helps prevent and manage chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting in small dogs going through cancer treatment. FDA-Approved Generic Equivalent: The FDA confirmed the generic shares the same active ingredient, concentration, and bioavailability as Cerenia for equivalent clinical results. Once-Daily Tablet Convenience: One tablet a day for up to five consecutive days keeps the treatment routine straightforward for owners of small dogs. Ingredients Active Ingredients Maropitant Citrate 16mg How to Use Maropitant Citrate 16mg Tablets are a prescription-only medication. A valid veterinarian prescription is required to purchase this product. Please follow your veterinarian's specific instructions for the dosage and administration of this medication for your pet. Disclaimer: Dosage and administration of this medication must be determined by a licensed veterinarian. Always consult your veterinarian before administering or adjusting any prescription medication for your pet. Tucking the tablet into a soft pill pocket or pill wrap treat makes giving it to small dogs much simpler. For motion sickness, giving it at least two hours before travel is important. Washing hands well with soap and water after handling the tablets is also recommended, as skin contact can cause irritation. Additional Information Precautions Not for Very Young Puppies: Puppies under 2 months should not receive this medication for acute vomiting, and those under 4 months should not receive it for motion sickness. Caution in Liver Disease: The liver handles maropitant's processing, so dogs with hepatic disease need a veterinary risk assessment before starting treatment. Avoid With Toxin Ingestion: This medication should never be used to stop vomiting in a dog that may have swallowed a toxin or where a gastrointestinal obstruction is suspected. Avoid in Pregnancy and Breeding: How this medication affects pregnant, lactating, or breeding dogs is not established, so it should only be used with direct veterinary oversight. Human Skin and Eye Hazard: Hands should be washed after each handling, and if the tablet contacts the eye, flushing with water for 15 minutes and seeking medical attention right away is important. Known Allergy Contraindication: Dogs with a known sensitivity or allergy to maropitant citrate should not be given this medication. Possible Side Effects Mild Sedation: Some small dogs feel temporarily drowsy and it generally clears on its own without needing any changes to the treatment plan. Reduced Appetite and Lethargy: A short dip in appetite and energy can show up in some dogs, usually in the first day or two of starting treatment. Diarrhea: Loose stools can come up occasionally but tend to be mild and short-lived, and rarely require stopping treatment. Serious Allergic Reactions: Facial swelling, hives, trouble breathing, or sudden collapse all point to a serious reaction needing immediate emergency veterinary care. Storage Information Controlled Room Temperature: Store vials somewhere cool and dry, maintaining a temperature of 68°F to 77°F and keeping them away from heat and moisture. Keep in Original Blister Pack: Keeping tablets in their individual blister packs until use protects them from light and moisture getting in. Out of Reach: Keep this medication somewhere children and untreated animals in the home cannot get to it. NOTE: For generic medications, the product image shown may not reflect the actual item received. Generic medications can vary in size, color, and shape between orders depending on the manufacturer. Additionally, your medication may arrive packaged in a HardyPaw Pharmacy vial. Shipping & Return We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details. For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy. Prescription items are NON-RETURNABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE. Frequently Asked Questions Q1: Why are small and toy breed dogs particularly prone to motion sickness? Ans: Small and toy breeds tend to be more sensitive to motion because their vestibular systems can react more strongly to movement, and they are often positioned in cars at angles or in tight spaces that make the motion feel more intense. Younger small dogs feel it most, and maropitant citrate 16mg offers reliable, weight-appropriate prevention ahead of each trip. Q2: Is the 16mg tablet appropriate for all dogs under 7kg or just some? Ans: The 16mg tablet is FDA-labeled for dogs in the 2 to 7kg range, with dosing built around roughly 1mg per kilogram of body weight. Dogs under 2kg sit outside that labeled range and would need a compounded formulation to get an accurate dose. A veterinarian will confirm whether the 16mg strength is right for the dog's current weight. Q3: Can maropitant citrate 16mg be given to small dogs on a regular ongoing basis? Ans: The approved label covers up to five consecutive days per treatment course. Going beyond that on a regular basis is considered off-label use and should only happen with a veterinarian's oversight and monitoring. Some veterinarians do prescribe it on and off for ongoing issues like chronic nausea in small dogs dealing with kidney disease or cancer treatment. Q4: Should the 16mg tablet be given with food or on an empty stomach? Ans: This tablet can be given with or without food, though pairing it with a small amount of food may help with absorption and reduce the chance of stomach upset, especially in very small dogs. When using it for motion sickness, giving it at least two hours before travel is what matters most, regardless of whether food is involved. Q5: How does the generic maropitant citrate 16mg compare in quality to the brand name Cerenia? Ans: The FDA reviewed the generic and confirmed it carries the same active ingredient in the same concentration as Cerenia, with no differences in inactive ingredients that would change how it works. Both are held to the same FDA manufacturing standards, so the same clinical outcome can be expected from the generic as from the branded version. Clinical Research FDA Veterinary Drug Database – Maropitant Citrate Zyvet Merck Vet Manual – Vomiting in Dogs
