Doxapram: veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Veterinary drug

Also known as

Dopram, Dopram-V, Doxapram HCl

Species with doses

Dogs, Cats, Cattle, Horses, Birds, Rabbits and Reptiles

General dose range

1–5 mg/kg IV once (repeat if needed) — check the species tables for the indication

Routes

IV, SC, IM

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Neonatal respiratory stimulation after caesarean/dystocia (sublingual or umbilical vein)
• Stimulation of respiration after general anaesthesia (post-anaesthetic apnoea/hypoventilation)
• Hastening arousal/breathing during recovery from CNS/respiratory depression (adjunct)
• Respiratory stimulation in acute hypoventilation (short-term)

Doxapram 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

• Respiratory stimulation after inhalant anaesthesia: Plumb’s p.442 (Dopram-V label): 1.1 mg/kg IV after gas anaesthesia; adjust to depth, rate and volume; may repeat in 15–20 min. Papich 5e: 5–10 mg/kg IV (general). Effect is brief — secure the airway and give oxygen first.
• Respiratory stimulation after barbiturate anaesthesia: Plumb’s p.442 (label): 5.5–11 mg/kg IV after barbiturate anaesthesia. Papich 5e: 5–10 mg/kg IV.
• Laryngeal function examination: Plumb’s p.442 (McKiernan 2007): 2.2 mg/kg IV stimulates respiration and laryngeal motion within 15–30 s for about 2 min; anaesthesia may lighten — be ready to intubate.
• Neonatal resuscitation (puppy): Plumb’s p.442: 1–5 drops (1–5 mg) SC, SL or umbilical vein by neonate size (label); 0.1 mL (2 mg) IV, IM or SL — most useful for gasping, erratic breathing after oxygen (Traas 2009). Papich 5e: neonates 1–5 mg SC, SL or umbilical vein. Airway, warmth and oxygen first.

Cats

• Neonatal resuscitation (kitten): Plumb’s p.442: 1–2 drops (1–2 mg) SC or SL by severity (label); 0.1 mL (2 mg) IV, IM or SL (Traas 2009). Airway and warmth first.
• Respiratory stimulation (post-anaesthesia): Plumb’s p.442 (label): 1.1 mg/kg after gas anaesthesia; 5.5–11 mg/kg after barbiturate anaesthesia. Papich 5e: 5–10 mg/kg IV.

Cattle

• Primary apnoea in newborn calves: Plumb’s p.442: 2 mg/kg IV for primary apnoea in asphyxic newborn calves when intubation/ventilation is not possible (Bleul 2010; Constable 2006). Contraindicated in premature calves with signs of lung immaturity.

Horses

• Respiratory stimulation (post-anaesthesia): Plumb’s p.442 (label): 0.44 mg/kg IV after inhalant anaesthesia, 0.55 mg/kg after chloral hydrate. Foal CRI: the references conflict by 60× — Papich 5e gives 0.5 mg/kg IV then 0.03–0.08 mg/kg per MINUTE, Plumb’s gives 0.02–0.05 mg/kg per HOUR — verify before using a CRI. ARCI Class 2.

Buffalo

No buffalo-specific doses are on file, so buffalo are dosed as cattle.

• Primary apnoea in newborn calves: Plumb’s p.442: 2 mg/kg IV for primary apnoea in asphyxic newborn calves when intubation/ventilation is not possible (Bleul 2010; Constable 2006). Contraindicated in premature calves with signs of lung immaturity.

Birds

• Respiratory depression: Plumb’s p.442 (Harris 2003): 5–10 mg/kg IM or IV.

Rabbits

• Respiratory depression: Plumb’s p.442 (Huerkamp 1995): rabbits 2–5 mg/kg SC or IV every 15 min.

Reptiles

• Post-anaesthetic respiratory stimulation: Plumb’s p.442 (Wilson 2002): 5 mg/kg IV.

Contraindications

Seizure disorders (CNS stimulant — lowers threshold). Severe hypertension, tachyarrhythmia, or coronary disease. Airway obstruction (stimulating breathing against an obstruction is harmful — secure the airway first). Use as a substitute for ventilation/oxygen. Known hypersensitivity.

Species-specific warnings

Cats: For kitten resuscitation use a single small drop sublingually/umbilical vein; prioritise airway, warmth and stimulation.

Adverse effects

• CNS stimulation — hyperexcitability, tremor, seizures (overdose)
• Hypertension, tachycardia/arrhythmia
• Increased oxygen consumption
• Hyperventilation; brief effect (may need repeating)

Drug interactions

• Sympathomimetics: additive cardiovascular stimulation (hypertension, arrhythmia)
• MAO inhibitors: potentiated pressor effect
• Volatile anaesthetics: theoretical sensitisation to arrhythmia
• Not effective against (and not a substitute for) naloxone in opioid-induced depression

Pregnancy and lactation

Used at parturition specifically to resuscitate neonates; maternal use only if clearly needed.

Monitoring

• Respiratory rate/effort and oxygenation (the goal — but secure airway/O2 first)
• Heart rate/rhythm and blood pressure
• CNS status (excitability/seizures) — avoid over-dosing
• Neonates: ongoing warmth, airway clearance and stimulation

Toxicity and overdose

Overdose causes excessive CNS stimulation — hyperactivity, tremor, hypertension, tachyarrhythmia and seizures — and increases cerebral/myocardial oxygen demand. The benefit is brief, so over-zealous repeat dosing can tip into toxicity.

Management: No specific antidote. Control seizures/hyperexcitability with benzodiazepines; manage hypertension/arrhythmia; ensure adequate oxygenation/ventilation. Effects are short-lived. Discontinue and support.

Clinical pearls

• The classic "kick-start" for non-breathing neonates after a C-section — a drop under the tongue or in the umbilical vein — but airway clearance, drying/stimulation, warmth and oxygen are the real priorities
• It stimulates breathing transiently; it is NOT a replacement for ventilation/oxygen, and won't fix airway obstruction
• For opioid-induced respiratory depression, reach for naloxone, not doxapram
• Avoid in seizure-prone patients and don't over-repeat — CNS over-stimulation/seizures are the toxicity

Mechanism of action

At low doses it stimulates peripheral chemoreceptors (carotid/aortic bodies); at higher doses it directly stimulates the medullary respiratory centre — both increasing respiratory rate and tidal volume. The same generalised CNS stimulation accounts for its excitatory/seizure toxicity at higher doses. Its effect is transient.

Formulations and products

• Injection 20 mg/mL (IV; or drop sublingual / umbilical vein in neonates)
• Dopram-V (Zoetis / Dechra) — 20 mg/mL injection, Injection
• Dopram — 20 mg/mL injection, Injection (human-label)

Storage

Injection: 15–30 °C, protect from light.

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 hormones, emergency drugs, supplements and other drugs

• Diazoxide
• Dimercaprol (BAL)
• Dinoprost (PGF2α)
• Diphenhydramine
• Doxorubicin
• Enoxaparin
• Epinephrine
• Erythropoietin (Epoetin / Darbepoetin)

Frequently asked questions