# Capromorelin: veterinary dose and monograph

> Capromorelin is a veterinary gastrointestinal drug. A first-in-class oral APPETITE STIMULANT — a ghrelin-receptor (growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor) agonist that mimics "hunger hormone" ghrelin to stimulate appetite and food intake, with a secondary effect of increasing growth… Indications include 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). This monograph lists 3 reference doses for dogs and cats, each with route, frequency and source.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/capromorelin · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## 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

*Capromorelin doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Inappetence (Entyce) | 3 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |

- 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

*Capromorelin doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Weight loss management in CKD (Elura) | 2 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |
| Appetite stimulation | 1–3 mg/kg | PO | q24h | up to 21 days |

- 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

> **Caution:** 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

> **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.

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## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Capromorelin for dogs?

Reference doses for Capromorelin in dogs: 3 mg/kg PO q24h (Inappetence (Entyce)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Capromorelin for cats?

Reference doses for Capromorelin in cats: 2 mg/kg PO q24h (Weight loss management in CKD (Elura)); 1–3 mg/kg PO q24h for up to 21 days (Appetite stimulation). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Capromorelin not be used?

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.

### What are the side effects of Capromorelin in animals?

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

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition

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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.