(maropitant citrate)
Antiemetic
For oral use in dogs only
Caution:
Federal (USA) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a
licensed veterinarian.
Description:
Maropitant is a neurokinin (NK1) receptor
antagonist that blocks the pharmacological action of substance P in the
central nervous system (CNS). Maropitant is the non-proprietary designation
for a substituted quinuclidine. The empirical formula is C32H40N2O
C6H8O7
H2O and the molecular weight 678.81. The
chemical name is (2S,3S)-2-benzhydryl-N-(5-tert-butyl-2-methoxybenzyl)
quinuclidin-3-amine citrate monohydrate. Each peach-colored oval tablet is
scored and contains 16, 24, 60 or 160 mg of maropitant as maropitant citrate
per tablet.
The chemical structure of
maropitant citrate is:
Indications:
CERENIA (maropitant citrate) Tablets are indicated for the prevention of
acute vomiting and the prevention of vomiting due to motion sickness in
dogs.
Dosage and
Administration :
CERENIA Tablets are recommended for use in dogs 16 weeks and older.
For
Prevention of Acute Vomiting
Administer CERENIA Tablets
orally at a minimum dose of 2 mg/kg (0.9 mg/lb) body weight once daily
for up to 5 consecutive days.
Prevention of Acute Vomiting
Minimum
of 2 mg/kg BW Dosing
|
Dog body weight |
Number of Tablets |
|
Pounds |
Kilograms |
16 mg |
24 mg |
60 mg |
|
2.2 - 8.8 |
1.0 - 4.0 |
1/2 |
|
|
|
8.9 - 17.6 |
4.1 - 8.0 |
1 |
|
|
|
17.7 - 26.4 |
8.1 - 12.0 |
|
1 |
|
|
26.5 - 52.8 |
12.1 - 24.0 |
|
2 |
|
|
52.9 - 66.0 |
24.1 - 30.0 |
|
|
1 |
|
66.1 - 132.0 |
30.1 - 60.0 |
|
|
2 |
CERENIA Tablets may be
used interchangeably with CERENIA Injectable Solution for once daily
dosing for the prevention of acute vomiting.
For
Prevention of Vomiting Due to Motion Sickness
Administer CERENIA Tablets
orally at a minimum dose of 8 mg/kg (3.6 mg/lb) body weight once daily
for up to 2 consecutive days.
Dogs should be fasted 1
hour prior to administration of CERENIA Tablets. Administer CERENIA
Tablets 2 hours prior to travel.
Prevention of Vomiting due to Motion Sickness
Minimum
of 8 mg/kg BW Dosing
|
Dog body weight |
Number of Tablets |
|
Pounds |
Kilograms |
16 mg |
24 mg |
60 mg |
160 mg |
|
2.2 |
1 |
1/2 |
|
|
|
|
2.3 - 3.3 |
1.1 - 1.5 |
|
1/2 |
|
|
|
3.4 - 4.4 |
1.6 - 2.0 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
4.5 - 6.6 |
2.1 - 3.0 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
6.7 - 8.8 |
3.1 - 4.0 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
8.9 - 13.2 |
4.1 - 6.0 |
|
2 |
|
|
|
13.3 - 16.5 |
6.1 - 7.5 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
16.6 - 22.0 |
7.6 - 10.0 |
|
|
|
1/2 |
|
22.1 - 33.0
|
10.1 - 15.0 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
33.1 - 44.0 |
15.1 - 20.0 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
44.1 - 66.0 |
20.1 - 30.0 |
|
|
|
1 1/2 |
|
66.1 - 88.0 |
30.1 - 40.0 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
88.1 - 132.0 |
40.1 - 60.0 |
|
|
|
3 |
Warnings:
Not for use in humans. Keep out of reach of children. In case of
accidental ingestion, seek medical advice. Topical exposure may elicit
localized allergic skin reactions in some individuals. Repeated or
prolonged exposure may lead to skin sensitization. Wash hands with soap
and water after administering drug. CERENIA is also an ocular irritant.
In case of accidental eye exposure, flush with water for 15 minutes and
seek medical attention.
In puppies younger than 11
weeks of age, histological evidence of bone marrow hypoplasia was seen
at higher frequency and greater severity in puppies treated with CERENIA
than in control puppies. In puppies 16 weeks and older, bone marrow
hypoplasia was not seen (See Animal Safety Section).
Precautions:
The safe use of CERENIA Tablets has not been evaluated in dogs used for
breeding, pregnant or lactating bitches, dogs with gastrointestinal
obstruction, or dogs that have ingested toxins. Use with caution in dogs
with hepatic dysfunction. Use with caution with other medications that
are highly protein bound. The concomitant use of CERENIA with other
protein bound drugs has not been studied in dogs. Commonly used protein
bound drugs include NSAIDs, cardiac, anticonvulsant and behavioral
medications. The influence of concomitant drugs that may inhibit
metabolism of CERENIA has not been evaluated. Drug compatibility should
be monitored in patients requiring adjunctive therapy.
Adverse Reactions:
Prevention of Acute Vomiting (minimum of 2 mg/kg)
The following adverse
reactions were reported during the course of a US field study for the
prevention of acute vomiting in dogs treated with CERENIA Tablets at a
minimum of 2 mg/kg orally and/or Injectable Solution at 1.0 mg/kg
subcutaneously once daily for up to 5 consecutive days:
Frequency of Adverse Reactions by Treatment
|
Adverse Reaction |
Placebo (n=69) |
CERENIA (n=206) |
|
# dogs |
% occurrence |
# dogs |
% occurrence |
|
Death during
study |
4 |
5.8 |
10 |
4.9 |
|
Euthanized during
study |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1.0 |
|
Diarrhea |
6 |
8.7 |
8 |
3.9 |
|
Hematochezia/bloody stool |
5 |
7.2 |
4 |
1.9 |
|
Anorexia |
2 |
2.9 |
3 |
1.5 |
|
Otitis/Otorrhea |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1.5 |
|
Endotoxic Shock |
1 |
1.4 |
2 |
1.0 |
|
Hematuria |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1.0 |
|
Excoriation |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1.0 |
Other clinical signs were
reported but were <0.5% of dogs.
Prevention of Vomiting Due to Motion Sickness (minimum of 8 mg/kg)
The following adverse
reactions were reported during US studies for the prevention of vomiting
due to motion sickness in dogs treated with CERENIA Tablets at a minimum
of 8 mg/kg orally one time. Dogs may have experienced more than one of
the observed adverse reactions.
Frequency of Adverse Reactions by Treatment
|
Adverse Reaction |
Placebo (n=195) |
CERENIA (n=208) |
|
# dogs |
% occurrence |
# dogs |
% occurrence |
|
Hypersalivation |
19 |
9.7 |
26 |
12.5 |
|
Vomiting1 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
5.3 |
|
Muscle Tremors |
1 |
0.5 |
2 |
1.0 |
|
Sedation/Depression |
3 |
1.5 |
2 |
1.0 |
|
Retching |
3 |
1.5 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
Flatulence |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0.5 |
1
Not associated with motion sickness
The following adverse
reactions were reported during a European field study for the prevention
of vomiting due to motion sickness in dogs treated with CERENIA Tablets
at a minimum of 8 mg/kg orally once daily for 2 consecutive days. Dogs
may have experienced more than one of the observed adverse reactions.
Frequency of Adverse Reactions by Treatment
|
Adverse Reaction |
Placebo (n=106) |
CERENIA (n=107) |
|
# dogs |
% occurrence |
# dogs |
% occurrence |
|
Vomiting |
4 |
4 |
10 |
9 |
|
Drowsiness/Lethargy/Apathy |
1 |
1 |
8 |
8 |
|
Hypersalivation |
2 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
|
Anxiety |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Trembling/Tremors |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Inappetence |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Mucus in stool |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
For a copy of the Material
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or to report adverse reactions call Pfizer
Animal Health at 1-800-366-5288.
Clinical Pharmacology:
The absolute
bioavailability of maropitant was much higher following SC injection
(91% at 1 mg/kg) than after PO administration (24% at 2 mg/kg). Oral
bioavailability may be underestimated due to the presence of nonlinear
kinetics and the resulting longer T1/2 seen
after intravenous (IV) administration. Although hepatic first-pass
metabolism contributed to the relatively low bioavailability after an
oral dose, prandial status does not significantly affect the extent of
oral bioavailability. Greater than dose-proportional drug exposure can
be expected with an increase in dose (1-16 mg/kg PO). Systemic clearance
of maropitant following IV administration was 970, 995, and 533 mL/hr/kg
at doses of 1, 2 and 8 mg/kg, respectively. An accumulation ratio of 1.5
was observed following once-daily use of maropitant for five consecutive
days at 1 mg/kg (SC) or 2 mg/kg (PO). Urinary recovery of maropitant and
its major metabolite was minimal (<1% each). The hepatic metabolism of
maropitant involves two cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes: CYP2D15 and
CYP3A12. Based on in vitro enzyme kinetics
data, it is believed that the non-linear kinetics may be partially
associated with saturation of the low capacity enzyme (CYP2D15). However
as doses increase (20-50 mg/kg PO), dose proportionality is
re-established. Based upon in vitro enzyme
kinetics, involvement of a high capacity enzyme (CYP3A12) may contribute
to this return to dose linearity. Plasma protein binding of maropitant
was high (99.5%).
Pharmacodynamics
Vomiting is a complex
process coordinated centrally by the emetic center which consists of
several brainstem nuclei (area postrema, nucleus tractus solitarius,
dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus) that receive and integrate sensory
stimuli from central and peripheral sources and chemical stimuli from
the circulation and the cerebro-spinal fluid. Maropitant is a neurokinin
1 (NK1) receptor antagonist which acts by
inhibiting the binding of substance P, a neuropeptide of the tachykinin
family. Substance P is found in significant concentrations in the nuclei
comprising the emetic center and is considered the key neurotransmitter
involved in emesis.1 By inhibiting the
binding of substance P within the emetic center, maropitant provides
broad-spectrum effectiveness against neural (central) and humoral
(peripheral) causes of vomiting. In vivo model
studies in dogs have shown that maropitant has antiemetic effectiveness
against both central and peripheral emetogens including apomorphine, and
syrup of ipecac.
1Diemunsch
P, Grelot L. Potential of substance P antagonists as antiemetics.
[Review] [60 refs]. Drugs. 2000;60:533-46.
Effectiveness:
Prevention of Acute Vomiting
In laboratory model
studies, CERENIA Tablets dosed at a minimum of 2 mg/kg BW reduced the
number of emetic events associated with established neural (central) and
humoral (peripheral) stimuli. Following administration of apomorphine
(central emetic stimuli), vomiting was observed in 33% (4 of 12) of
Beagle dogs treated with CERENIA Tablets and 100% (12 of 12) of Beagle
dogs treated with placebo tablets. Following administration of syrup of
ipecac (peripheral emetic stimuli) vomiting was observed in 33% (4 of
12) of Beagle dogs treated with CERENIA Tablets and in 83% (10 of 12) of
Beagle dogs treated with placebo tablets.
In a study of 275 canine
patients presented to veterinary hospitals with a history of acute
vomiting, dogs were initially administered CERENIA Injectable Solution
or placebo on Day 0. Following the initial dose, dogs allocated to the
CERENIA group were treated with either CERENIA Tablets at a minimum of 2
mg/kg orally or Injectable Solution at 1 mg/kg subcutaneously once daily
at the discretion of the clinician. Dogs allocated to the placebo group
were treated using either an injectable placebo solution or placebo
tablets once daily at the discretion of the clinician. Of the 199 dogs
included in the analysis for effectiveness, 27 of 54 dogs (50%) in the
placebo group displayed vomiting at some time during the study and 31 of
145 dogs (21.4%) in the treated group displayed vomiting during the
study period.
*2 dogs administered
CERENIA were not observed on day 0. Their vomiting status was unknown.
143 was used in the denominator for % vomited.
Prevention of Vomiting due to Motion Sickness
In a study of canine
veterinary patients taken on a one-hour car journey and treated with
either CERENIA Tablets at a minimum dose of 8 mg/kg BW or placebo
tablets 2 hours prior to the journey, 67 of 122 (55%) of dogs vomited
during the journey when treated with placebo while 8 of 122 (7%) vomited
during the journey after treatment with CERENIA Tablets. The probability
that a dog in this study, prone to motion sickness would NOT vomit
during a journey if treated with CERENIA Tablets was 93%, while the
probability was 48% if treated with placebo.
Animal
Safety:
Laboratory and field studies have demonstrated that CERENIA Tablets are
well tolerated in dogs after oral administration.
Target
Animal Safety Study for Acute Vomiting
Fifty six Beagle dogs (28
males and 28 females) approximately 16 weeks of age were administered
CERENIA Tablets orally once daily for 15 days at 0, 2, 6, and 10 mg/kg.
There were 8 dogs (4 males and 4 females) in the 2 mg/kg group and 16
dogs (8 males and 8 females) in all other groups. CERENIA Tablets caused
decreases in food consumption and body weight that were not
dose-dependent and did not persist after cessation of treatment.
Beagle dogs approximately
8 weeks of age were administered CERENIA Tablets orally once daily for
15 days at 0, 2, 6, and 10 mg/kg using a protocol similar to the
previous study. A dose dependent increase in severity of bone marrow
hypoplasia was observed histologically. Interpretation of these study
results is complicated by the health status of study animals. Dogs used
in the study were weaned early, minimally acclimated to the test
facility, many of the dogs in the study tested positive for coccidia and
some tested positive for canine parvovirus.
Target
Animal Safety Study for Motion Sickness
Forty Beagle dogs (20
males and 20 females) between 16 - 18 weeks of age were administered
CERENIA Tablets orally once daily for 6 days at 0, 8 and 24 mg/kg. There
were 16 dogs (8 males and 8 females) in the 0 and 24 mg/kg groups and 8
dogs (4 males and 4 females) in the 8 mg/kg group. At 24 mg/kg, CERENIA
Tablets caused decreases in food consumption, with decreases in body
weight, liver and testis weight; and an increase in RBC count indicating
hemoconcentration, but the effects on feed consumption, body weight, and
RBCs did not persist in the post-treatment recovery period (beyond Day
5).
Beagle dogs approximately
8 weeks of age were administered CERENIA Tablets orally once daily for 6
days at 0, 8, and 24 mg/kg using a protocol similar to the previous
study. One dog in the 24 mg/kg/day group died of unknown causes on study
day 2 and a dose dependent increase in occurrence and severity of bone
marrow hypoplasia and lymphoid depletion was observed histologically.
Interpretation of these study results is complicated by the health
status of study animals. Dogs used in the study were weaned early,
minimally acclimated to the test facility, and many of the dogs in the
study tested positive for coccidia. Additionally, some dogs in the study
tested positive for canine parvovirus, however, clinical parvoviral
disease was not definitively diagnosed.
Tolerance
Study
Twenty four Beagle dogs
(14 males and 10 females) between 11 and 25 weeks of age were
administered CERENIA Tablets in 2 phases with 8 dogs per group. In the
first phase the dogs were administered 0, 20 or 30 mg/kg orally once
daily for 7 days and in the second phase 0, 40, or 50 mg/kg once daily
for 7 days. CERENIA Tablets administered at 20 and 30 mg/kg caused
occasional vomiting. CERENIA Tablets administered at 40 mg/kg and 50
mg/kg caused clinically relevant signs of weight loss, vomiting, soft
stools, weakness, lethargy, salivation and hypokalemia. Additionally,
leukopenia characterized by a neutropenia and a trend toward decreasing
plasma phosphorus values was seen. Decreased heart rate and prolonged
corrected QT intervals were seen in all treatment groups in a dose
dependent manner.
In US field studies in
veterinary patients, CERENIA Tablets and Injectable Solution were well
tolerated in dogs presenting with various conditions including
parvovirus, gastroenteritis, and renal disease. There were no notable
differences in mean laboratory values between CERENIA-treated and
placebo-treated patients.
CERENIA Tablets were used
safely in dogs receiving other frequently used veterinary products such
as fluid and electrolyte replacement solutions, antimicrobial agents,
vaccines, antacids, and antiparasitic agents.
Storage:
CERENIA Tablets should be stored at controlled room temperature 20°-25°C
(68°-77°F) with excursions between 15°-30°C (59°-86°F).
How
Supplied:
CERENIA peach-colored tablets are scored with a break line, and
contain 16, 24, 60 or 160 mg of maropitant as maropitant citrate per
tablet. Each tablet is marked with “MPT” and the tablet strength on one
side and the Pfizer logo on the other. Each tablet size is packaged in
blister packs containing 4 tablets per perforated sheet.