# Meglumine Antimoniate: veterinary dose and monograph

> Meglumine Antimoniate is a veterinary antiparasitic. A pentavalent antimonial (Sb5+) and the classic first-line treatment for canine LEISHMANIASIS (Leishmania infantum/donovani) — a widespread, serious, ZOONOTIC parasitic disease in India, the Mediterranean and Latin America. Indications include canine leishmaniasis (visceral/cutaneous, Leishmania infantum) — reduce parasite load and clinical signs; leishmaniasis management combined with allopurinol (standard) ± other agents (miltefosine). This monograph lists 1 reference dose for dogs, each with route, frequency and source.

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

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Antiparasitic
- **Also known as:** Glucantime, Meglumine antimonate, N-methylglucamine antimoniate
- **Species with doses:** Dogs
- **General dose range:** 75–100 mg/kg SC q12–24h SC (per protocol) — check the species tables for the indication
- **Routes:** SC
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Canine leishmaniasis (visceral/cutaneous, Leishmania infantum) — reduce parasite load and clinical signs
- Leishmaniasis management combined with allopurinol (standard) ± other agents (miltefosine)

## Meglumine Antimoniate 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

*Meglumine Antimoniate doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Leishmaniasis (with allopurinol) | 75–100 mg/kg | SC | q24h | 4–8 weeks |

- Leishmaniasis (with allopurinol): Plumb’s p.774: first line 75–100 mg/kg SC once daily for 4–8 weeks with allopurinol 10 mg/kg PO q12h for at least 6–12 months (Solano-Gallego 2009); at least 100 mg/kg SC daily for 3–4 weeks, better with 4–6 weeks (Noli & Auxilia). Doses refer to the meglumine antimoniate salt (the 300 mg/mL injection contains about 81–85 mg/mL pentavalent antimony). Stage and monitor renal function (nephrotoxic); injection-site reactions common. Not in Papich 5e.

## Contraindications

Significant renal impairment (nephrotoxic — leishmaniasis often already causes renal disease; assess/stage first). Significant cardiac disease (antimony cardiotoxicity/QT). Pancreatitis. Pregnancy. Known hypersensitivity. Regulatory restrictions on veterinary antimonial use (verify locally). Rapid IV administration.

## Species-specific warnings

> **Caution:** Dogs: Leishmaniasis is ZOONOTIC — handle infected dogs and the drug appropriately, notify per local rules, and stage renal function before/throughout treatment (nephrotoxic drug in a renally-affected disease).

## Adverse effects

- Nephrotoxicity (worsening of leishmaniasis-associated renal disease)
- Injection-site pain/swelling/abscess (SC/IM)
- GI upset, lethargy, myalgia
- Cardiotoxicity / QT prolongation; pancreatitis; hepatic effects

## Drug interactions

- Allopurinol: standard synergistic partner (combined and continued long-term)
- Other nephrotoxic/QT-prolonging drugs: additive toxicity
- Amphotericin B / miltefosine: alternative/second-line anti-leishmanials (sequential, not usually concurrent)

## Pregnancy and lactation

Avoid in pregnancy (antimony toxicity). 

## Monitoring

- Renal function (creatinine, SDMA, urine protein:creatinine, IRIS stage) before and during therapy — the key monitor
- Clinical response and antibody/parasite load (e.g. quantitative serology/PCR)
- ECG (cardiotoxicity) in at-risk dogs; injection sites
- Continue allopurinol long-term (relapse suppression)

## Toxicity and overdose

Dose-/duration-related NEPHROTOXICITY (a major concern because leishmaniasis itself causes immune-complex glomerulonephritis/renal disease), cardiotoxicity (QT prolongation, arrhythmia), pancreatitis, hepatic effects, and injection-site reactions. Renal staging (IRIS) and monitoring throughout treatment are essential; some dogs need dose reduction or alternative therapy.

Management: No specific antidote (chelators like dimercaprol have been used for antimony toxicity). Discontinue; supportive care with IV fluids and renal support, ECG monitoring for arrhythmia, and management of pancreatitis/hepatic effects. Monitor renal values closely.

## Clinical pearls

- First-line for canine leishmaniasis — but it CONTROLS rather than cures, so ALWAYS pair it with long-term allopurinol and expect possible relapses
- Stage and monitor the KIDNEYS: leishmaniasis causes renal disease and the drug is nephrotoxic — this drives dosing/duration decisions (IRIS staging)
- A zoonotic, notifiable disease in many areas and a One-Health/stewardship issue (antimonials are vital human anti-leishmanials) — treat within local regulations
- Alternatives/adjuncts include miltefosine and amphotericin B (with allopurinol); combine with vector control (sandfly repellents) and prevention

## Mechanism of action

A pentavalent antimonial pro-drug: the Sb5+ is reduced within the parasite/macrophage to the active trivalent antimony (Sb3+), which inhibits Leishmania glycolysis and fatty-acid β-oxidation (and trypanothione/thiol redox metabolism), depleting ATP and killing amastigotes inside macrophages. It reduces parasite burden but seldom sterilises the infection — hence the need for prolonged allopurinol to suppress relapse.

## Formulations and products

- Injection 300 mg/mL (≈85 mg/mL pentavalent antimony, Glucantime)
- Glucantime (Boehringer Ingelheim (Merial)) — 300 mg/mL (≈85 mg/mL Sb5+), SC/IM injection
- Glucantime (human antileishmanial) — 300 mg/mL, Injection (human-label)

## Storage

Injection: 15–30 °C, protect from light; do not freeze.

## 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 Meglumine Antimoniate for dogs?

Reference doses for Meglumine Antimoniate in dogs: 75–100 mg/kg SC q24h for 4–8 weeks (Leishmaniasis (with allopurinol)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Meglumine Antimoniate not be used?

Significant renal impairment (nephrotoxic — leishmaniasis often already causes renal disease; assess/stage first). Significant cardiac disease (antimony cardiotoxicity/QT). Pancreatitis. Pregnancy. Known hypersensitivity. Regulatory restrictions on veterinary antimonial use (verify locally). Rapid IV administration.

### What are the side effects of Meglumine Antimoniate in animals?

Nephrotoxicity (worsening of leishmaniasis-associated renal disease); Injection-site pain/swelling/abscess (SC/IM); GI upset, lethargy, myalgia; Cardiotoxicity / QT prolongation; pancreatitis; hepatic effects.

## 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.