Merck Manual

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Drugs Used to Stimulate Appetite

Drugs Used to Stimulate Appetite

Drug

Dosage

Diazepam

Cats: 0.005–0.4 mg/kg, IV

Oxazepam

Cats: 2 mg, PO, bid

Cyproheptadine

Cats: 1–4 mg, PO, bid

Mirtazapine

Cats: 3.75 mg/cat (¼ of a 15-mg tablet), PO, every 3 days

Dogs: ¼ of a 15-mg tablet for dogs < 7 kg, ½ of a 15-mg tablet for dogs 8–15 kg, 15 mg for dogs 16–30 kg, 30 mg for dogs >30 kg; no higher than 30 mg per dog

Megestrol acetate

Dogs: 0.5-1 mg/kg/day, PO

Prednisone/prednisolone

1 mg/kg, PO, every other day