# Epsiprantel: veterinary dose and monograph

> Epsiprantel is a veterinary antiparasitic. An anticestodal (tapeworm) drug closely related to praziquantel — an oral tablet for tapeworm infections in dogs and cats (Dipylidium caninum, Taenia spp.). Indications include tapeworms in dogs and cats — Dipylidium caninum, Taenia pisiformis/taeniaeformis; routine cestode deworming (oral tablet, no fasting needed). This monograph lists 2 reference doses for dogs and cats, each with route, frequency and source.

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

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Antiparasitic
- **Also known as:** Cestex
- **Species with doses:** Dogs and Cats
- **General dose range:** 2.75–5.5 mg/kg PO single dose (repeat if needed) — check the species tables for the indication
- **Routes:** PO
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Tapeworms in dogs and cats — Dipylidium caninum, Taenia pisiformis/taeniaeformis
- Routine cestode deworming (oral tablet, no fasting needed)

## Epsiprantel 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

*Epsiprantel doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tapeworms | 5.5 mg/kg | PO | single dose | — |

- Tapeworms: Papich 5e and Plumb’s p.477 (Cestex label): 5.5 mg/kg (2.5 mg/lb) PO once, rounding up to the next tablet size; no fasting required. Control fleas concurrently for Dipylidium.

### Cats

*Epsiprantel doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tapeworms | 2.75 mg/kg | PO | single dose | — |

- Tapeworms: Papich 5e and Plumb’s p.477 (label): 2.75 mg/kg PO once — cats up to 10 lb one 12.5 mg tablet; 11–20 lb one 25 mg tablet.

## Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity. Puppies/kittens below the label minimum age/weight. Echinococcus-control programmes where praziquantel is the protocol drug. Otherwise minimal (wide margin).

## Adverse effects

- Very well tolerated — minimal effects (poor absorption)
- Occasional vomiting

## Drug interactions

- No clinically important systemic drug interactions (poor absorption)
- Concurrent flea control needed for Dipylidium (vector)

## Pregnancy and lactation

Wide margin and minimal absorption suggest low risk; follow label (safety in pregnancy not fully established).

## Monitoring

- Proglottid passage / faecal exam for cure
- Concurrent flea control for Dipylidium (break the cycle)
- For zoonotic Echinococcus control, prefer praziquantel protocols

## Toxicity and overdose

Very low systemic toxicity owing to poor absorption — overdose typically causes only mild GI upset. No characteristic organ toxicity.

Management: Supportive only; no specific antidote needed (wide margin).

## Clinical pearls

- A praziquantel-relative tapeworm tablet — effective for Dipylidium/Taenia with a wide safety margin and NO fasting needed
- Always pair Dipylidium treatment with FLEA control — the flea is the intermediate host, or the tapeworms return
- For the zoonotic Echinococcus, praziquantel is the usual protocol drug (deworming/public-health programmes)
- Single oral dose; repeat if reinfection occurs

## Mechanism of action

Like praziquantel, epsiprantel increases the permeability of the cestode's tegument (outer membrane) to calcium, causing rapid, sustained muscular contraction and tegumental vacuolisation/disintegration; the damaged, paralysed scolex detaches and the worm is digested/expelled. Its very poor host absorption confines the action to the gut lumen, giving the wide safety margin.

## Formulations and products

- 12.5 / 25 / 50 mg tablet (Cestex)
- Cestex (Zoetis) — 12.5 / 25 / 50 mg tablet, Tablet

## Storage

Tablets: 15–30 °C, dry, protect from light.

## 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 Epsiprantel for dogs?

Reference doses for Epsiprantel in dogs: 5.5 mg/kg PO single dose (Tapeworms). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

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

Reference doses for Epsiprantel in cats: 2.75 mg/kg PO single dose (Tapeworms). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Epsiprantel not be used?

Known hypersensitivity. Puppies/kittens below the label minimum age/weight. Echinococcus-control programmes where praziquantel is the protocol drug. Otherwise minimal (wide margin).

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

Very well tolerated — minimal effects (poor absorption); Occasional vomiting.

## 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.