ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/dantrolene-injectable
US brand names:Dantrium IV, Ryanodex
Dantrolene Injectable is dosed at 1–3.5 mg/kg IV IV push; may repeat q5-10min up to 10mg/kg total in dogs, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed; Veterinary Anesthesia Textbooks. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Directly inhibits calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum by blocking ryanodine receptors, preventing excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle.
Primary treatment for malignant hyperthermia. Mix requires warming and vigorous shaking. Hepatotoxic with chronic oral use. Muscle weakness expected effect.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 1–3.5 mg/kg | IV push; may repeat q5-10min up to 10mg/kg total | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed; Veterinary Anesthesia Textbooks |
| Cat (Domestic) | IV | 1 mg/kg | single dose | Weak | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023), Dantrolene, corpus p.367 (printed p.340), CATS: '1 mg/kg IV as a single dose was effective in male cats under experimental conditions' (refs 8,9 = Straeter-Knowlen M et al. Urethral pressure response to smooth and skeletal muscle relaxants in anesthetized, adult male cats with naturally acquired urethral obstruction. Am J Vet Res. 1995;56(7):919-923; and Straeter-Knowlen IM et al. Am J Vet Res. 1994;55(12):1739-1744). Corroborated by Papich 4th ed, corpus p.234 (printed p.206): 'To relax the urethra in cats, the most effective dose is 1 mg/kg IV.' |
Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.
View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.