# Morantel: veterinary dose and monograph

> Morantel is a veterinary antiparasitic. A tetrahydropyrimidine anthelmintic (the methyl ester analogue of pyrantel) for GI ROUNDWORMS in ruminants — it paralyses the worm so it is expelled. Indications include GI nematodes of cattle, sheep and goats (Haemonchus, Ostertagia, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia, etc.); strategic deworming where a non-benzimidazole class is wanted (resistance management); in-feed continuous worming programmes (premix). This monograph lists 3 reference doses for cattle, goats and sheep, each with route, frequency and source, plus meat and milk withdrawal periods for food animals.

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

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Antiparasitic
- **Also known as:** Rumatel, Morantel tartrate, Banminth (related)
- **Species with doses:** Cattle, Goats and Sheep
- **General dose range:** 8–10 mg/kg PO single dose (repeat per cycle) — check the species tables for the indication
- **Routes:** PO
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- GI nematodes of cattle, sheep and goats (Haemonchus, Ostertagia, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia, etc.)
- Strategic deworming where a non-benzimidazole class is wanted (resistance management)
- In-feed continuous worming programmes (premix)

## Morantel 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.

### Cattle

*Morantel doses for cattle*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| GI nematodes | 8.8–9.7 mg/kg | PO | single dose | — | 14d slaughter |

- GI nematodes: Plumb’s p.859: 9.68 mg/kg PO (Paul 1986); 8.8 mg/kg PO (Roberson); Rumatel feed 0.44 g per 100 lb. Label slaughter withdrawal 14 days. (9.68 mg/kg ≈ 9.7 mg/kg.)

### Goats

*Morantel doses for goats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| GI nematodes | 9.7–10 mg/kg | PO | single dose | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- GI nematodes: Plumb’s p.859: goats 10 mg/kg PO (de la Concha 2002); label 0.44 g per 100 lb (≈9.7 mg/kg) as a single treatment, repeat in 2–4 weeks under constant exposure. Follow the label withdrawal.

### Sheep

*Morantel doses for sheep*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| GI nematodes | 10 mg/kg | PO | single dose | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- GI nematodes: Plumb’s p.859 (Roberson 1988): sheep 10 mg/kg PO. Follow the product label withdrawal; extra-label use needs a FARAD withdrawal.

### Buffalo

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

*Morantel doses for buffalo*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| GI nematodes | 8.8–9.7 mg/kg | PO | single dose | — | 14d slaughter |

- GI nematodes: Plumb’s p.859: 9.68 mg/kg PO (Paul 1986); 8.8 mg/kg PO (Roberson); Rumatel feed 0.44 g per 100 lb. Label slaughter withdrawal 14 days. (9.68 mg/kg ≈ 9.7 mg/kg.)

## Contraindications

Concurrent levamisole or organophosphate/cholinesterase-inhibiting compounds (additive cholinergic/depolarising toxicity). Piperazine (pharmacologic antagonism — opposite paralysis types). Known hypersensitivity. Observe food-animal withdrawal.

## Species-specific warnings

> **Caution:** Goats: Goats may need the higher dose; verify withdrawal periods (often not specifically established).

## Adverse effects

- Very well tolerated — wide safety margin
- Rare transient hypersalivation/GI signs
- Cholinergic signs only at gross overdose or with other cholinergic drugs

## Drug interactions

- Levamisole / other depolarising/cholinergic agents: additive toxicity — do not combine
- Piperazine (causes flaccid paralysis): pharmacologic antagonism — do not combine
- Organophosphates/cholinesterase inhibitors: additive cholinergic effects

## Pregnancy and lactation

Considered safe in pregnancy at label doses (wide margin, poor absorption).

## Monitoring

- Faecal egg count reduction (efficacy/resistance)
- Withdrawal compliance
- Rotate anthelmintic classes

## Toxicity and overdose

Very wide safety margin; overdose may cause transient cholinergic signs (salivation, GI upset). Serious toxicity essentially only with concurrent cholinergic/depolarising drugs (levamisole, organophosphates).

Management: Supportive; cholinergic signs are usually transient. Atropine can counter significant muscarinic signs. No specific antidote needed for ordinary overdose.

## Clinical pearls

- A pyrantel-class (spastic paralysis) wormer for ruminant GI nematodes — a useful non-benzimidazole option when benzimidazole resistance is present
- Never combine with levamisole/organophosphates (additive cholinergic toxicity) or with piperazine (they antagonise each other)
- Wide safety margin and short withdrawal make it convenient for food animals
- Available as a feed premix for continuous in-feed worming programmes

## Mechanism of action

A depolarising neuromuscular agent at the nematode: it acts as a cholinergic agonist at the worm's nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, causing persistent depolarisation and SPASTIC paralysis. The paralysed worm loses its hold on the gut wall and is expelled by peristalsis. Poor mammalian absorption confines the effect largely to the gut, giving the wide safety margin.

## Formulations and products

- Oral bolus / drench
- Feed premix (Rumatel)
- Rumatel (Phibro / various) — Morantel tartrate bolus / premix, Bolus / feed premix

## Storage

Bolus/premix: 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.

## Other antiparasitics

- [Melarsomine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/melarsomine)
- [Milbemycin oxime](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/milbemycin-oxime)
- [Monensin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/monensin)
- [Monepantel](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/monepantel)
- [Moxidectin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/moxidectin)
- [Nicarbazin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/nicarbazin)
- [Niclosamide](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/niclosamide)
- [Nitenpyram](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/nitenpyram)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Morantel for cattle?

Reference doses for Morantel in cattle: 8.8–9.7 mg/kg PO single dose (GI nematodes). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Morantel for goats?

Reference doses for Morantel in goats: 9.7–10 mg/kg PO single dose (GI nematodes). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Morantel for sheep?

Reference doses for Morantel in sheep: 10 mg/kg PO single dose (GI nematodes). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the withdrawal period for Morantel?

Cattle, PO (GI nematodes): 14d slaughter; Goats, PO (GI nematodes): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Sheep, PO (GI nematodes): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label. Follow the product label and national regulations where they differ.

### When should Morantel not be used?

Concurrent levamisole or organophosphate/cholinesterase-inhibiting compounds (additive cholinergic/depolarising toxicity). Piperazine (pharmacologic antagonism — opposite paralysis types). Known hypersensitivity. Observe food-animal withdrawal.

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

Very well tolerated — wide safety margin; Rare transient hypersalivation/GI signs; Cholinergic signs only at gross overdose or with other cholinergic drugs.

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th 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.