Maropitant (Cerenia; a novel, selective
neurokinin(1) receptor antagonist),
chlorpromazine,
metoclopramide and
ondansetron were compared in two randomized, placebo-controlled studies for efficacy in preventing
emesis induced by emetogens acting centrally (
apomorphine; Study 1) or peripherally (
syrup of ipecac; Study 2) in dogs. In each study, ten male and ten female beagles were treated in a five-treatment, five-period crossover design. The five treatments were
0.9% saline (0.1 mL/kg),
maropitant (1 mg/kg),
metoclopramide (0.5 mg/kg), or
chlorpromazine (0.5 mg/kg) all administered subcutaneously, or
ondansetron (0.5 mg/kg) administered intravenously. One hour posttreatment dogs were challenged with
apomorphine at 0.1 mg/kg intravenously (Study 1) or
syrup of ipecac at 0.5 mL/kg orally (Study 2). Following emetogen challenge, dogs were observed for 30 min (Study 1) or 1 h (Study 2) for
emesis. No clinical signs, other than those related to
emesis, were observed. Efficacy of
maropitant in preventing
emesis induced centrally by
apomorphine was not different (P > 0.05) from
metoclopramide or
chlorpromazine but was superior (P < 0.0001) to
ondansetron. Efficacy of
maropitant in preventing
emesis induced by
syrup of ipecac was not different (P > 0.05) from
ondansetron but was superior (P </= 0.0102) to
metoclopramide or
chlorpromazine.
Maropitant was effective (P < 0.0001 relative to control) in preventing
vomiting caused by stimulation of either central or peripheral
emetic pathways, whereas the other drugs examined prevented
vomiting caused by central (
metoclopramide and
chlorpromazine; P < 0.0001) or peripheral (
ondansetron; P < 0.0001) stimulation but not both.