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Molnupiravir for cats: general description, dosage and side effects – Cats.com

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Molnupiravir is an antiviral medication used to treat feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in cats. In this article, you will learn more about how Molnupiravir is used to treat cats with FIP, side effects to search and how legally obtained for use in the United States.

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Molnupiravir for the general description of cats

Type of medication:

Antiviral

MEDICATION FORM:

Capsules, compound capsules and compound fluid suspension

Common names:

Molnupiravir, EID-2801

Effects:

It causes the inhibition of viral replication, demonstrates activity against Coronavirus FIP.

Available doses:

The commercially available capsules of 200 mg are not available in the US. (Without special authorization by the FDA for COVID-19 emergency cases). Molnupiravir can be legally prescribed in the US. Through compound pharmacies.

Potential side effects:

Gastrointestinal effects (baboo, nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite), folded ears and broken mustaches.

Precautions:

It is known that Molnupiravir has teratogenic effects (fetus anomalies) in humans.

Contraindications:

Teratogenic effects make their use contraindicated in pregnant cats or cats used for reproduction.

About Molnupiravir for cats

A cat with a fluid swelling of the abdomen is a common appearance with FIP, which Molnupiravir can treat. Animals / Wildlife / Shuttersock.com

Molnupiravir is an antiviral medication that is used to treat cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). It is also known as EIDD-2801.

Molnupiravir was originally developed as a treatment for COVID-19 viral disease in people, which, like the FIP virus, is also a coronavirus.

This caused interest in its use to treat the feline infectious peritonitis virus. At first, it was only used as an effective rescue treatment For FIPwhich is caused by a feline enteric coronavirus mutation. This is where the standard treatment, usually with another antiviral such as GS-441524, is not successful.

However, more recent studies have also shown that when used as a first -line treatment, It has a similar efficacy A GS-441524 and semDesivir in the Case series. The survival rate in cats with FIP when it comes to Molnupiravir, Sedesivir or GS-441524, it has been described that it is 85% or more.

Molnupiravir is not commercially available in the United States. However, it can be legally prescribed as a Compound medication through composite pharmacies. It is important to keep in mind that compound forms are not identical to those used in clinical studies, but effective forms of treatment are still considered.

Although GS-441524 is considered the recommended standard medication for the initial FIP treatment, it can be expensive. Molnupiravir costs significantly less and can serve as a more affordable option in appropriate cases.

Cat dosing information

The following information should not be used to replace a veterinary visit or alter the prescription information of your veterinarian. You should never use a human medicine in your cat to be prescribed for you or a family member without consulting your own veterinarian.

Molnupiravir is not labeled for use in cats. When used, veterinarians prescribe it out of label. The availability of commercial medications varies according to the country, possibly due in part to its teratogenic effects, but also as a reserve medication to treat COVID-19 in humans.

Although the commercial form is very difficult to obtain in the US, the compound forms are easily available and legal for veterinarians to prescribe through a licensed compound pharmacy.

He Suggested dose for Molnupiravir The treatment varies from 10-20 mg/kg, depending on the FIP form that is present. Dosage can also depend on whether it is being used as an initial treatment for FIP or as rescue therapy when other antivirals have not worked. The doses usually occur every 12 hours.

The standard duration of the treatment is 12 weeks.

You must remain in close contact with your veterinarian with respect to the correct dose for the prescription of your cat and if a dosing adjustment is needed at any time during the treatment period.

How to Manage Molnupiravir to Cats

Molnupiravir can come in the form of a capsule. It is important to track the administration of a capsule to your cat with a small amount of water. RJ22 / Shuttersock.com

Molnupiravir is aggravated in capsule and dosing forms of oral liquid suspension.

The capsule can be hidden in food or in a small treat like a pill pocket. To obtain additional advice, see our article on the best foods to hide the pills.

The liquid suspension is better when administered directly orally. Multiple flavor options are generally available to help facilitate the medication.

Side effects of molnupiravir for cats

Molnupiravir is generally well tolerated by cats and adverse events seem to be rare. The most common side effects are related to stomach discomfort:

  • Hypersalivation/Babeo
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Reduced appetite

Anecdotally, cats have shown signs of their ears that appear folded and fragile or have broken mustaches. Most agree that the clinical importance of these effects is low. They seem to solve when the treatment is completed.

It has been reported that the serum transaminase (ALT) alanine, a liver blood work value, increases, but the relevance is not clear if this is related to the medication or the presence of FIP in the affected cats.

When not using molnupiravir in cats

It is known that Molnupiravir is a teratogenic compound. This means that it can cause birth defects in fetuses when it is given to someone who is pregnant. This has led to its limited availability in the United States.

In cats, Molnupiravir should not be used in pregnant queens or in any cat used for reproduction. In these cases, different antiviral treatment options (such as GS-441524 or semDesivir) should be used.

Overdose and emergencies

There is little information about Molnupiravir’s overdose in cats. You can see signs of more pronounced digestive discomfort.

It is important to keep in mind that some FIP cats are extremely ill when the treatment begins. Initial improvement With the treatment it requires at least approximately 3 days and some severely affected cats can deteriorate before the benefits of treatment can be seen. This seems to happen in a low percentage in FIP treatment studies, but occurs with any of the medications used, and has not been connected to the side effects of medicines.

As there is little information about overdose or toxicity of Molnupiravir, if you suspect that your cat received an overdose, be sure to communicate immediately with one or more of the following to obtain advice:

  • Your veterinarian
  • ASPCA Animal Veneno Control Center (1-888-426-4435)
  • Pet Veneno Help Line (1-855-764-7661)

Possible pharmacological interactions with Molnupiravir

No pharmacological interactions have been informed in humans that Molnupiravir take. The clinical experience with Molnupiravir so far in the treatment of FIP cats has not revealed pharmacological interactions.

Chemically, Molnupiravir should not have the ability to inhibit or affect drug transporters or cytochrome p450 enzymes used by the body to decompose and metabolize many medications.

How to store Molnupiravir

Commercial capsules must be stored between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees c) with subsidies of up to 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C).

Composite products will have their own storage guidelines depending on the Molnupiravir formulation. Information with the medicine must be provided when receiving it. For any question about compound forms, the best resource is to call the compound pharmacy itself.

Drug dosing responsibility discharge: We can only provide doses for medications approved by the FDA for use in cats and only as they dictate the label guidelines. For medications used outside, we can only provide safety guidelines and information for use. Safe and appropriate dosage for out -of -label medications can only be determined by a primary care veterinarian.

We recommend that you work with your veterinarian to determine if a particular medication is appropriate for your cat. Changing or adjusting a dose for your cat on your own without consulting with a veterinarian can wear risks. We do not encourage the use of prescription drugs for human use in pets without first consulting with a primary care veterinarian.

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  1. To Budde, J. and McCluskey, D. (2023). Molnupiravir (professional application). In PLUMB Veterinary Drug Manual (10 ed.). Wiley Blackwell.

  2. Roy, M., Jacque, N., Novicoff, W., Li, E., Negash, R. and Evans, SJM (2022). Molnupiravir without a license is an effective rescue treatment after the failure of the therapy similar to GS-441524 without a license for cats with suspected feline infectious peritonitis. Pathogens, 11(10), 1209.

  3. Reagan, KL, Brostoff, T., Pires, J., Rose, A., Castillo, D. and Murphy, BG (2024). Clinical Test of Open Label of Molnupiravir Orally administered as a frontline treatment for infectious natural negative peritonitis. Veterinary Internal Medicine Magazine.

  4. Sase, O. (2023). Molnupiravir treatment of 18 cats with feline infectious peritonitis: a series of cases. Veterinary Internal Medicine Magazine, 37(5), 1876–1880.

  5. Wedgewood Pharmacy. (ND-B). Blind maximum for cats and caregivers: introduction of molnupiravir compound for FIP. Wedgewood pet pharmacy.

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