# Nitroxynil: veterinary dose and monograph

> Nitroxynil is a veterinary antiparasitic. Halogenated phenol (salicylanilide-type) flukicide given by subcutaneous injection — effective against adult and late-immature liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica/gigantica) and useful against the blood-sucking nematode Haemonchus, including… Indications include liver fluke (Fasciola spp.) — adult and late-immature stages; haemonchus contortus (including some BZ-resistant strains); acute/chronic fasciolosis in cattle, sheep and goats. This monograph lists 2 reference doses for cattle and sheep, each with route, frequency and source, plus meat and milk withdrawal periods for food animals.

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

## 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

*Nitroxynil doses for cattle*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Liver fluke / Haemonchus | 10 mg/kg | SC | single dose | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- 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

*Nitroxynil doses for goats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No reference dose for this species | Not established in Papich 5e or Plumb’s 10e — do not extrapolate from another species | — | — | — | — |

- 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

*Nitroxynil doses for sheep*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Liver fluke / Haemonchus | 10–15 mg/kg | SC | single dose | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- 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.

*Nitroxynil doses for buffalo*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Liver fluke / Haemonchus | 10 mg/kg | SC | single dose | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- 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

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

> **Caution:** 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

> **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 Nitroxynil for cattle?

Reference doses for Nitroxynil in cattle: 10 mg/kg SC single dose (Liver fluke / Haemonchus). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### Can Nitroxynil be given to goats?

Not established in Papich 5e or Plumb’s 10e — do not extrapolate from another species (No reference dose for this species).

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

Reference doses for Nitroxynil in sheep: 10–15 mg/kg SC single dose (Liver fluke / Haemonchus). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the withdrawal period for Nitroxynil?

Cattle, SC (Liver fluke / Haemonchus): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Sheep, SC (Liver fluke / Haemonchus): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label. Follow the product label and national regulations where they differ.

### When should Nitroxynil not be used?

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.

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

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.

## 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.