Cerucal for cats: instructions for use

Composition of the drug

The composition of the drug includes main and auxiliary components.

The main (i.e. active) compound is metoclopramide hydrochloride monohydrate:

It has a pronounced antiemetic effect.
Initially, metoclopramide was used by doctors to treat migraines, i.e. the substance is capable of blocking spastic attacks of pain.
Accelerates the removal of semi-digested food from the stomach into the small intestine, without causing diarrhea (but there are nuances, which we will discuss below).

The following are used as auxiliary components (depending on the dosage form):

Starch.
Milk sugar (lactose).
Gelatin.
Silicon, magnesium and sodium compounds (including regular sodium chloride).
Additional purified water for injection is used as the basis for the liquid dosage form.

Description of the drug

Cerucal stops vomiting. It is produced in two forms: tablets and ampoules. You can buy the drug at any pharmacy. Tablets are cheaper than solution. The cost of the medicine starts from 100 rubles. The color of the tablets is white. They are flat. On one side of the risk. There is no smell. Detailed instructions are included with the drug. When using the medicine, you must strictly adhere to it. The medicine can be stored for five years.

Regardless of the dosage form, they contain an active substance such as metoclopramide hydrochloride. Lactose, gelatin, starch, monohydrate, and silicon dioxide are present as excipients. The solution also contains sodium chloride and water for injection.

The medicine normalizes the functioning of the digestive organs, blocks receptors, reduces the sensitivity of nerve endings that are responsible for transmitting information to the brain about the evacuation of digested food. An area of the brain called the vomiting center shuts down for a while. As a result, the gag reflex ceases to occur. The medicine restores the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The walls of the intestines and stomach return to normal. Digestion of food improves, heaviness and discomfort go away, and bile production is normalized. Thanks to the drug, spasm of the sphincter of Oddi is reduced. The medicine speeds up the digestion of food, which quickly leaves the stomach and then the intestines.

It is known that the vomiting center is also responsible for the occurrence of hiccups. Therefore, Cerucal is also suitable for eliminating hiccups.

The maximum effect is achieved 45-60 minutes after taking the tablet, 10-20 minutes after an intramuscular injection, 2-3 minutes later if the injection was given into a vein.

Optimal storage conditions

Since the medicine is quite strong (but is considered safe), the storage conditions recommended by the manufacturer must be followed exactly:

The temperature should be maintained between 0° and 25°C. The liquid dosage form is stored at a temperature from 0° to 4°C (preferably in this range). It is not advisable to freeze the drug, but the manufacturer himself states that a single cycle of freezing and thawing does not affect the therapeutic properties of Cerucal in any way.
It is very important to isolate the storage location from direct sunlight, since ultraviolet radiation has an extremely detrimental effect on the active ingredients of the medicine and quickly renders the latter unusable.
Since uncontrolled use of this product is fraught with unpredictable consequences, it is necessary to store it in a place where it is guaranteed that pets and small children will not get into it.

Indications for use of Cerucal

Veterinarians identify the following indications for use:

Nausea and vomiting of various etiologies.
Atony of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including the period of postoperative recovery.
Esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), accompanied by vomiting.
Impaired contractility of the gallbladder and ducts (dyskenesia).
Narrowing of the lumen of the pylorus of the stomach (this is characterized by vomiting soon after eating).
Gastric atony in cats with diabetes.
Oddly enough, but the medicine perfectly helps cats that are unbearably sick in transport.
In cases where the pet is prescribed some medications, the use of which may be accompanied by vomiting.
The drug is prescribed before fluoroscopic examination of the stomach, immediately after the administration of contrast agents. In this case, the medicine accelerates peristalsis, as a result of which the contrast agent is quickly and evenly distributed along the entire length of the digestive tract.
The medicine has also proven itself well as a “sedative” prescribed before a stomach examination. In this case, the upper part of the organ relaxes, making it much easier to insert the probe.
The medicine helps animals after severe injuries resulting in a concussion (with this pathology, cats vomit violently and constantly).

How does Cerucal work on a cat?

The mechanism of action of Cerucal is based on blocking serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain.

The active substance of the medicine, i.e. Metoclopramide acts very selectively, and therefore there are usually no other consequences of using the drug:

Due to the blocking of the corresponding receptors in the animal, the sensitivity threshold of the vomiting center (which is also located in the brain) sharply increases.
The animal's feeling of nausea disappears.
Appetite returns.
The cat no longer vomits after eating.
The tone of the pet's lower stomach and sphincter improves, which helps improve overall intestinal motility. This has a beneficial effect on the process of digestion of food and the general condition of the animal.
The synthesis of bile and its release into the lumen of the duodenum is normalized. This effect of Cerucal allows some veterinarians to use it as a means to prevent cholecystitis.
The medicine promotes the synthesis of prolactin and improves the process of milk secretion and release.

The active substance is actively processed in the liver and 50% is eliminated from the cat’s body within 5 hours. But! It must be remembered that in cats with kidney pathologies, the therapeutic concentration of the drug in the blood can remain for almost 28 hours.

Instructions for use of Cerucal tablets

Let us emphasize once again that the instructions we offer for the use of Cerucal in tablets are given, rather, “for show,” since under normal conditions this medicine is not given to cats in the form of pills. It's difficult to dose.

The tablet form is usually given by force: the tablet is placed on the root of the cat's tongue and, while performing a throat massage, the medicine is swallowed. The hand is drawn from the lower jaw along the throat to the sternum. This technique allows you to achieve better manifestation of the swallowing reflex.

If the cat stubbornly does not want to eat the “treat,” the tablet must be crushed to a powder state and then mixed with water to form a thick paste. It is smeared on the root of the cat's tongue, after which the pet will simply be forced to eat the medicine.

Reviews from breeders about the drug

Cat owners note that Cerucal is quite effective against vomiting.

Alevtina. I had to treat my cat with Cerucal, and I was pleased with the results. My pet’s digestion returned to normal within a week, the vomiting stopped, and it was possible to gradually transfer him to his usual food without fear that his stomach would not accept it.

Svetlana. In addition to efficiency, I would like to note the convenience of using Cerucal. This remedy is available not only in tablets, but also in the form of an injection solution, which is very convenient when it comes to treating an animal, since not every cat is able to eat an unpleasant-tasting medicine. The solution is packaged in ampoules in ready-made form, it does not need to be diluted, and the drug can be stored for a long time, up to 5 years.

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Valentina. My cat often vomits due to gastrointestinal problems. Cerucal has become a real salvation for us, I use it every time her stomach does not accept food. Thanks to this remedy, the attacks are no longer as severe as before.

How and where to inject a cat correctly when using liquid Cerucal

Here's how to correctly and where to inject your cat when using the injectable form of the medicine:

The drug can only be administered intramuscularly and intravenously.
The best place for intramuscular injection is the gluteal muscle area. Many blood vessels pass through these places, and therefore the administered drug is quickly absorbed and distributed throughout the animal’s body.
Intravenous injections are made by selecting the veins running along the inside of the front legs. This place is good because the blood vessels are close to the skin, and the skin itself is thin and delicate, the filled vein is very easy to palpate.

Regardless of the specific injection method, the medicine is administered gradually, without rushing. The drug should be distributed evenly and gradually throughout the tissues.

Dosage of the drug and signs of drug overdose in cats

The described dosage of the drug and signs of overdose are given as indicative. Under no circumstances should you prescribe or use medicine on your own, as this can lead to very serious consequences!

You need to remember one important nuance - this medicine is not for veterinary use. Initially, it was developed and created exclusively for medicine, and only then veterinarians “refined” the methods of using Cerucal in their practice.

When using the medicine in tablets, 0.5-0.7 mg of active substance for every 10 kg of animal weight. Considering that the tablet contains 10 mg of metoclopramide hydrochloride, it is simply impossible to adequately dose the drug in this case.

Composition and release form of the drug

The active ingredient of the antiemetic and antihiccup drug Cerucal is metoclopramide hydrochloride monohydrate. Excipients are also added to the composition of the drug: potato starch, lactose monohydrate, gelatin, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, sodium sulfite, disodium edetate, sodium chloride, water for injection. Additives are necessary as a binding component for a certain form of release of the drug.

The cessation of vomiting in a cat when metoclopramide hydrochloride is ingested is due to the blocking of nerve impulses from the stomach and intestines to the vomiting center located in the brain. The rate of occurrence of the therapeutic effect depends on the method of administration of the drug: severe symptoms are relieved within 1-3 minutes with intravenous administration and 20 minutes with intramuscular injection.

The company has provided 2 forms of release of Cerucal for cats: tablets and solution for injection. Given the small weight of furry pets and the small dosage of the drug, veterinary specialists most often use only the liquid form of the antiemetic.

Cerucal injection solution is a clear liquid packaged in glass ampoules of 2 ml. 1 ml of the drug contains 5 mg

Metoclopramide hydrochloride and additives: sodium sulfite, disodium edetate, sodium chloride, water for injection. The 0.5% injection solution is sold in pharmacies in 10 glass ampoules, packaged together with instructions for use in a cardboard box.

Pills

The solid form of the antiemetic drug is a white round tablet containing 10 mg of metoclopramide hydrochloride and excipients: potato starch, lactose monohydrate, gelatin, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate.

Tablets are supplied to the retail chain in packages of 50 pieces. in brown glass bottles with a white cap. The factory pack of tablet form Cerucal contains instructions and one bottle of tablets.

The composition of the drug includes main and auxiliary components.

The main (i.e. active) compound is metoclopramide hydrochloride monohydrate:

It has a pronounced antiemetic effect.
Initially, metoclopramide was used by doctors to treat migraines, i.e. the substance is capable of blocking spastic attacks of pain.
Accelerates the removal of semi-digested food from the stomach into the small intestine, without causing diarrhea (but there are nuances, which we will discuss below).

The following are used as auxiliary components (depending on the dosage form):

Starch.
Milk sugar (lactose).
Gelatin.
Silicon, magnesium and sodium compounds (including regular sodium chloride).
Additional purified water for injection is used as the basis for the liquid dosage form.

Currently, there are two forms of release of Cerucal for cats: in the form of tablets and a solution for injection. We immediately warn owners: the tablet form of the medicine is used extremely rarely to treat cats, as there are serious problems with dosing.

Injections

The medicine for injection is available in the form of a solution, packaged in dark glass ampoules.

The volume of each is exactly 2 ml. They are placed in pallets of five pieces each. Two pellets are packed in a box made of thick cardboard. The ampoules are equipped with notches, making them easy to open.

Pills

Although this is not very typical for this dosage form, Cerucal tablets are packaged in small dark glass bottles. Each contains exactly 50 pieces. Note that all tablets have a well-defined raised inscription “AWD” on one side. The bottles are also additionally packaged in cardboard boxes.

Cerucal is available in the form of tablets or solution for injection. The main active ingredient of the drug is metoclopramide hydrochloride monohydrate.

In addition to this substance, the tablets consist of the following additional components:

magnesium stearate;
silicon dioxide;
lactose monohydrate;
potato starch;
gelatin.

The injection solution contains as excipients:

sodium sulfite;
disodium edetate;
sodium chloride;
saline solution

Tablets are sold in pharmacies in cardboard boxes, and the injection solution is packaged in 2 ml ampoules. Each package of the medicine contains instructions for use.

Side effects after taking Cerucal

The following side effects are possible:

The animal exhibits vomiting and diarrhea.
Various nervous system disorders, including irritability. Some pets develop causeless, uncontrolled aggression.
The cat's heart rate increases and blood pressure increases. If the animal initially suffers from hypertension, this can lead to the death of the pet.
The cat may become overly apathetic, and in some cases there may be serious depression.
Tremors (shaking) and strong, involuntary contractions of skeletal muscles are possible.
Some pets experience intense hypersalivation (excessive saliva is produced).

Side effects

Cerucal is quite effective in stopping vomiting in cats, but its use is often accompanied by side effects. If, while taking an antiemetic, an animal experiences diarrhea, thirst, drowsiness or excitability, causeless muscle contractions, abnormal heart rhythm or an allergic rash, it is necessary to immediately discontinue the medication.

In such a situation, it is necessary to contact a specialist to change the drug and prescribe symptomatic treatment.

Contraindications

There are the following contraindications:

The drug is strictly forbidden to be given to pregnant cats.
Giving medicine to nursing cats is equally strictly prohibited. As we have already written, the components of the medicine easily pass into breast milk.
The drug must not be used to treat animals under at least nine months of age. Neglecting this rule can lead to toxic liver damage.

Treatment is carried out under constant veterinary supervision if the cat has tumors or is suspected of cancer.
In case of exacerbation of chronic diseases (of any etiology), the drug is also prescribed with caution.

Contraindications and restrictions

You should completely stop taking Cerucal if your cat has the following diseases:

tumors, both benign and malignant;
there are gastrointestinal bleeding;
epileptic seizures occur;
intestinal obstruction in case of blockage by foreign objects;
intolerance of the animal to any components of the drug.

In addition, “Cerukal” is contraindicated in kittens, as the drug can cause irreparable damage to the liver.

The drug should be taken with caution in the following cases:

renal failure;
disturbances in liver function;
animal pregnancy and feeding kittens.

In such cases, the drug should not be given independently, even for first aid. Only a veterinarian can calculate the dose correctly, and only under his supervision can Cerucal be given.