# Apomorphine: veterinary dose and monograph > Apomorphine is a veterinary gastrointestinal drug. Dopamine D2 receptor agonist — stimulates the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CRZ) to induce vomiting. Indications include acute toxin ingestion in dogs within 2 h of exposure (chocolate, NSAID, raisins, foreign body, etc.); emergency decontamination in awake dog. This monograph lists 3 reference doses for dogs, each with route, frequency and source. Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/apomorphine · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01 ## At a glance - **Drug class:** Gastrointestinal - **Also known as:** Apokyn, apomorphine HCl - **Species with doses:** Dogs - **General dose range:** 0.03–0.04 mg/kg IV single dose — check the species tables for the indication - **Routes:** IV, IM, Ocular - **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026 ## Indications - Acute toxin ingestion in dogs within 2 h of exposure (chocolate, NSAID, raisins, foreign body, etc.) - Emergency decontamination in awake dog ## Apomorphine dose by species Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them. ### Dogs *Apomorphine doses for dogs* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Emesis induction (IV) | 0.03–0.04 mg/kg | IV | single | — | | Emesis induction (IM/SC) | 0.04–0.08 mg/kg | IM | single | — | | Emesis induction (conjunctival) | 0.25 mg/kg | Ocular | single | — | - Emesis induction (IV): Plumb’s p.108: 0.03 mg/kg IV — IV preferred (Beasley & Dorman); 0.04 mg/kg IV (Bailey; Jenkins). Vomiting usually within minutes; give once. Do not induce emesis after caustic/hydrocarbon ingestion, in obtunded or seizuring dogs, or if airway protection is compromised. Excess CNS depression can be reversed with naloxone. - Emesis induction (IM/SC): Plumb’s p.108: 0.04 mg/kg IM (Beasley), 0.08 mg/kg IM or SC (Bailey 1989). Papich 5e: 0.03–0.05 mg/kg IM or 0.1 mg/kg SC. IV route preferred where possible. - Emesis induction (conjunctival): Plumb’s p.108 (Jenkins 1988): 0.25 mg/kg into the conjunctival sac. Papich 5e: dissolve a 6 mg tablet in 1–2 mL saline and instil into the conjunctiva. Rinse the conjunctival sac once the dog has vomited. ## Contraindications CATS — NOT effective and risk of CNS depression. Suspected toxin already absorbed beyond 2 h post-ingestion. Caustic / corrosive ingestion (vomiting worsens damage). Sharp foreign body (perforation risk). Hydrocarbon / petroleum ingestion (aspiration risk). Unconscious / sedated patient (aspiration risk). Brachycephalic breeds with airway compromise (aspiration risk). ## Species-specific warnings > **Caution:** Dogs: Standard emetic — IV 0.03–0.04 mg/kg, IM 0.04–0.08 mg/kg, conjunctival tablet. Single dose only. Pre-treat with maropitant 1 mg/kg SC to limit vomiting duration. > **Caution:** Cats: NOT effective in cats — only causes CNS depression. Use XYLAZINE 0.44 mg/kg IM for feline emesis. ## Adverse effects - Protracted vomiting (>30 min) — reverse with maropitant or naloxone - CNS depression, ataxia - Hypersalivation - Restlessness initially - Rare bradycardia, hypotension - NOT effective in cats — causes only CNS depression ## Drug interactions - Maropitant: REVERSES apomorphine emesis (NK-1 antagonism) — use to stop protracted vomiting - Naloxone: also reverses apomorphine effects (opioid component) — 0.04 mg/kg IV - Phenothiazines (acepromazine, chlorpromazine): antagonise emesis (D2 blockade) - Other dopamine antagonists (metoclopramide, droperidol): antagonise emesis - CNS depressants: additive sedation ## Pregnancy and lactation Crosses placenta. Limited vet data. Use only when toxin exposure mandates emergency decontamination. ## Monitoring - Vomiting onset (3–10 min) — if no vomiting in 15 min, consider alternative (hydrogen peroxide 3% 1 mL/kg PO, max 45 mL) - Recovered material — identify and quantify toxin - Persistent vomiting >30 min — reverse with maropitant - CNS status — naloxone if oversedated - Recovery — most dogs back to normal within 1 h ## Toxicity and overdose Protracted vomiting (most common issue) — reverse with maropitant 1 mg/kg SC. CNS depression at high doses. Bradycardia, hypotension (rare). Cats: NOT effective, only causes CNS depression — use xylazine instead. Management: Reverse with MAROPITANT 1 mg/kg SC (best for protracted vomiting) or NALOXONE 0.04 mg/kg IV (for CNS depression). Supportive: IV fluids, anti-emetic if vomiting persists, atropine for bradycardia. Maropitant pre-treatment is now standard in critical-care decontamination. ## Clinical pearls - STANDARD canine emetic — works in 95% of dogs within 5 min IV - CATS: do NOT use — xylazine 0.44 mg/kg IM is the feline emetic - Conjunctival route is gold standard in field / clinic without IV access — crush 3 mg tablet in saline, drip into conjunctival sac, rinse with saline once vomiting starts - Pre-treat with maropitant 1 mg/kg SC if you want to limit duration of emesis — gives 1 productive vomit then stops - Use within 2 h of toxin ingestion — beyond that, much of toxin is already absorbed and emesis less useful - CONTRAINDICATIONS: caustic / sharp / hydrocarbon ingestion (aspiration / damage risk) - NEVER REDOSE — protracted vomiting risk; if first dose fails, switch to other decontamination (gastric lavage, charcoal) - Maropitant 1 mg/kg SC reverses protracted vomiting - Hydrogen peroxide 3% 1 mL/kg PO (max 45 mL) is backup home emetic — but less reliable and more aspiration risk than apomorphine ## Mechanism of action Non-selective dopamine D2 receptor agonist. Stimulates the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CRZ / area postrema) directly, activating central emetic pathways. Onset is rapid (3–5 min IV, 5–10 min IM, 5–20 min conjunctival). Action lasts 30 min then dissipates. Conjunctival absorption via lacrimal duct → nasal mucosa → systemic circulation. ## Formulations and products - Apomorphine HCl 3 mg tablet (compounded conjunctival) - Apomorphine 10 mg/mL injection (human compounded) - Clevor 30 mg/mL ophthalmic solution (EU canine) - Clevor (Orion Pharma) — 30 mg/mL, Ophthalmic solution (canine) - Apokyn — 10 mg/mL, Subcutaneous injection (human Parkinson's) (human-label) ## Storage Tablets: 15–25 °C, protected from light AND OXYGEN (oxidises easily — turns green/blue). Injectable: refrigerate, protect from light. Discard if discoloured. Compounded solutions short shelf life. ## Before you use this dose > **Caution:** Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision. ## Other gastrointestinal drugs - [Activated Charcoal](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/activated-charcoal) - [Bismuth Subsalicylate](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/bismuth-subsalicylate) - [Capromorelin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/capromorelin) - [Cimetidine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cimetidine) - [Cisapride](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cisapride) - [Famotidine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/famotidine) - [Hyoscine Butylbromide (N-Butylscopolammonium)](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/butylscopolamine) - [Lactulose](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/lactulose) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the dose of Apomorphine for dogs? Reference doses for Apomorphine in dogs: 0.03–0.04 mg/kg IV single (Emesis induction (IV)); 0.04–0.08 mg/kg IM single (Emesis induction (IM/SC)); 0.25 mg/kg Ocular single (Emesis induction (conjunctival)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use. ### When should Apomorphine not be used? CATS — NOT effective and risk of CNS depression. Suspected toxin already absorbed beyond 2 h post-ingestion. Caustic / corrosive ingestion (vomiting worsens damage). Sharp foreign body (perforation risk). Hydrocarbon / petroleum ingestion (aspiration risk). Unconscious / sedated patient (aspiration risk). Brachycephalic breeds with airway compromise (aspiration risk). ### What are the side effects of Apomorphine in animals? Protracted vomiting (>30 min) — reverse with maropitant or naloxone; CNS depression, ataxia; Hypersalivation; Restlessness initially; Rare bradycardia, hypotension; NOT effective in cats — causes only CNS depression. ## Sources - Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook - AVMA Toxicology Decontamination Guidelines 2024 - Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition --- VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.