Capromorelin: veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Gastrointestinal

Also known as

Entyce, Elura

Species with doses

Dogs and Cats

General dose range

2–3 mg/kg PO q24h — check the species tables for the indication

Routes

PO

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Inappetence / poor appetite in dogs (Entyce)
• Management of weight loss in cats with chronic kidney disease (Elura)
• Appetite stimulation in a range of inappetent patients (off-label across species)

Capromorelin 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

• Inappetence (Entyce): Papich 5e and the Entyce label: 3 mg/kg PO once daily (30 mg/mL solution). Plumb’s 10e p.183 (label dosage; FDA-approved): appetite stimulation 3 mg/kg PO once daily — effectiveness has not been evaluated beyond 4 days of treatment.

Cats

• Weight loss management in CKD (Elura): Elura label and Papich 5e: 2 mg/kg PO once daily (20 mg/mL feline solution). Expect transient hypersalivation or vomiting initially. Plumb’s 10e p.183 (label dosage; FDA-approved): 2 mg/kg PO once daily 30 minutes before routine feeding; re-dose if only a partial dose was taken or the cat vomits within 15 minutes.
• Appetite stimulation: Plumb’s 10e p.183 (extra-label): appetite stimulation in cats — 1–3 mg/kg PO once daily for up to 21 days.

Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity. Hepatic impairment (hepatically metabolised — caution/lower exposure). Use with awareness in patients where increased GH/IGF-1 is undesirable. Confirm there is no mechanical reason for inappetence (e.g. obstruction) that needs treating instead.

Species-specific warnings

Cats: Use the cat-specific product (Elura 20 mg/mL) at 2 mg/kg; expect transient hypersalivation/vomiting at the start of therapy.

Adverse effects

• Hypersalivation / drooling (common, especially first doses)
• Vomiting, diarrhoea
• Lethargy; occasional hypotension/increased heart rate
• Transient increases in growth hormone/IGF-1

Drug interactions

• CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, etc.): may raise capromorelin levels
• Drugs that are CYP3A substrates: capromorelin can affect their metabolism
• No major other interactions at label use

Pregnancy and lactation

Not established for breeding/pregnant/lactating animals — avoid unless clearly needed.

Monitoring

• Food intake / body weight response
• GI tolerance (hypersalivation/vomiting — usually settles)
• Underlying cause of inappetence (treat it, not just the symptom)

Toxicity and overdose

Well tolerated; overdose mainly intensifies GI signs (hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhoea) and may cause lethargy and transient cardiovascular effects (hypotension, increased heart rate) plus larger GH/IGF-1 rises. No specific organ toxicity at therapeutic use.

Management: Supportive — manage GI signs and any hypotension with fluids; effects are self-limiting. No specific antidote needed.

Clinical pearls

• A purpose-built, once-daily oral appetite stimulant — Entyce for inappetent dogs, Elura for CKD cats losing weight; often works within hours
• Hypersalivation/drooling and some vomiting are common early and usually settle — warn owners
• A targeted modern alternative to mirtazapine/cyproheptadine, with a clean mechanism (ghrelin-receptor agonism)
• Always pursue and treat the underlying cause of the inappetence rather than relying on the stimulant alone

Mechanism of action

A ghrelin (growth-hormone-secretagogue) receptor agonist that activates GHS-R1a receptors in the hypothalamus (stimulating appetite/food-seeking behaviour, mimicking endogenous ghrelin) and in the pituitary (transiently increasing growth-hormone and downstream IGF-1 secretion). The appetite effect is the therapeutic target; it also has mild prokinetic/gastric-emptying effects.

Formulations and products

• Oral solution 30 mg/mL (Entyce, dogs)
• Oral solution 20 mg/mL (Elura, cats)
• Entyce (Elanco (Aratana)) — 30 mg/mL oral solution, Oral solution
• Elura (Elanco) — 20 mg/mL oral solution, Oral solution

Storage

Oral solution: 15–30 °C per label; use within the labelled period after opening (e.g. ~56 days). Keep tightly closed.

Before you use this dose

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
• Apomorphine
• Bismuth Subsalicylate
• Cimetidine
• Cisapride
• Famotidine
• Hyoscine Butylbromide (N-Butylscopolammonium)
• Lactulose

Frequently asked questions