Nitroxynil: veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Antiparasitic

Also known as

Dovenix, Trodax

Species with doses

Cattle and Sheep

General dose range

10 mg/kg SC single dose (repeat in 2–3 weeks if needed) — check the species tables for the indication

Routes

SC

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Liver fluke (Fasciola spp.) — adult and late-immature stages
• Haemonchus contortus (including some BZ-resistant strains)
• Acute/chronic fasciolosis in cattle, sheep and goats

Nitroxynil 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

• Liver fluke / Haemonchus: Label-sourced (nitroxynil 34% injection): 10 mg/kg SC once (1 mL per 34 kg). Neither Papich 5e nor Plumb’s has a nitroxynil monograph. Not for dairy cattle producing milk for human consumption. Follow the local label for slaughter withdrawal.

Goats

• No reference dose for this species: Neither Papich 5e nor Plumb’s has a nitroxynil monograph, and the product label used for this entry covers cattle and sheep only.

Sheep

• Liver fluke / Haemonchus: Product label (nitroxynil 34%): 10 mg/kg SC (1 mL per 34 kg); some labels allow up to 15 mg/kg for chronic fasciolosis. Neither Papich 5e nor Plumb’s has a nitroxynil monograph. Follow the local label withdrawal.

Buffalo

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

• Liver fluke / Haemonchus: Label-sourced (nitroxynil 34% injection): 10 mg/kg SC once (1 mL per 34 kg). Neither Papich 5e nor Plumb’s has a nitroxynil monograph. Not for dairy cattle producing milk for human consumption. Follow the local label for slaughter withdrawal.

Contraindications

Lactating dairy animals producing milk for human consumption (very long milk residues). Hot environmental conditions favour an uncoupling-type hyperthermia at overdose. Do not give IV or IM (SC only). Observe long meat withdrawal. Known hypersensitivity.

Species-specific warnings

Cattle: Not for lactating dairy cattle — very long milk residues. Long (~60-day) meat withdrawal; verify nationally.

Goats: Off-label in goats with no established withdrawal — extend meat withdrawal conservatively.

Adverse effects

• Yellow staining of skin/wool/injection site
• Local injection-site reaction
• Hyperthermia / increased respiration at overdose (mitochondrial uncoupling)
• Reduced wool quality at the injection area

Drug interactions

• Other uncouplers / nitrophenol compounds: additive hyperthermia risk
• No major therapeutic drug interactions at label dose

Pregnancy and lactation

Generally used in pregnant beef/sheep at label dose; avoid entirely in dairy animals in milk. Confirm product label for breeding stock.

Monitoring

• Faecal fluke egg counts / clinical response (chronic fasciolosis improves over weeks)
• Body temperature if overdose suspected, especially in hot weather
• Strict meat withdrawal compliance (≈60 days)
• Injection-site staining/reaction

Toxicity and overdose

Overdose causes a hypermetabolic/uncoupling syndrome — hyperthermia, tachypnoea, tachycardia, sweating, and potentially death, worsened by hot weather and exertion. Therapeutic index is moderate, so dose by accurate body weight.

Management: No specific antidote. Active cooling, rest in shade, IV fluids and supportive care for hyperthermia; avoid exertion and heat. Do NOT give salicylates or atropine (can worsen). Monitor temperature closely until normalised.

Clinical pearls

• A reliable, low-cost SC fasciolicide — valuable where triclabendazole resistance is emerging
• Also hits Haemonchus, including some benzimidazole-resistant populations — handy in mixed parasite burdens
• Bright yellow: warn owners about staining of fleece/skin and wear gloves
• Never use in dairy cows in milk — residues are very prolonged; long meat withdrawal too
• Dose to accurate weight and avoid hot-weather exertion afterwards to prevent hyperthermia

Mechanism of action

Uncouples oxidative phosphorylation in the fluke's mitochondria, collapsing the proton gradient so the parasite cannot generate ATP — it dies of energy failure. The same uncoupling mechanism, in the host at overdose, produces hyperthermia and increased oxygen demand.

Formulations and products

• Injectable 34 % (340 mg/mL)
• Dovenix (Boehringer Ingelheim (Merial)) — 34 % (340 mg/mL), SC injection
• Nitroxynil 34 % (Various (India)) — 340 mg/mL, SC injection

Storage

Store 15–30 °C, protect from light; the solution stains — handle with gloves. Do not freeze.

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 antiparasitics

• Moxidectin
• Nicarbazin
• Niclosamide
• Nitenpyram
• Oxfendazole
• Oxibendazole
• Permethrin
• Piperazine

Frequently asked questions