Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Acetylcysteine (Antidotal) is dosed at 140 mg/kg IV Loading 140mg/kg IV, then 70mg/kg q6h x 5-7 doses in cats, per Avizeh R, Najafzadeh H, Razijalali M, Shirali S. Evaluation of prophylactic and therapeutic effects of silymarin and N-acetylcysteine in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in cats. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2010;33(1):95-99. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2885.2009.01100.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.40 (2026-08-01).. Acetylcysteine (Antidotal) is used in cats for Acetaminophen toxicosis. Routes documented in cats: IV. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Acetylcysteine (Antidotal) in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Mucomyst, Acetadote
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 140 mg/kg | Loading 140mg/kg IV, then 70mg/kg q6h x 5-7 doses | Loading dose then 5-7 maintenance doses; treat aggressively | Acetaminophen toxicosis | Strong | Avizeh R, Najafzadeh H, Razijalali M, Shirali S. Evaluation of prophylactic and therapeutic effects of silymarin and N-acetylcysteine in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in cats. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2010;33(1):95-99. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2885.2009.01100.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.40 (2026-08-01). |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your cat's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Provides cysteine for hepatic glutathione regeneration, conjugating the toxic NAPQI metabolite of acetaminophen. Also acts as direct free radical scavenger.
IV preferred for severe toxicosis. PO causes vomiting due to taste/smell. Loading dose followed by maintenance. Most effective within 8-10 hours of ingestion.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Acetylcysteine (Antidotal) dose range in cats, with cited source references: IV 140 mg/kg Loading 140mg/kg IV, then 70mg/kg q6h x 5-7 doses. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Acetylcysteine (Antidotal) in cats: IV.
Cited course lengths for Acetylcysteine (Antidotal) in cats include: Loading dose then 5-7 maintenance doses; treat aggressively. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Acetylcysteine (Antidotal) is indicated in cats for: Acetaminophen toxicosis.
These are general warnings for Acetylcysteine (Antidotal) across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. IV preferred for severe toxicosis. PO causes vomiting due to taste/smell. Loading dose followed by maintenance. Most effective within 8-10 hours of ingestion.
Why a species-specific page? Acetylcysteine (Antidotal) pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cats — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.