What is Epoprostenol used for?

Epoprostenol is indicated for: Severe pulmonary hypertension, Severe pulmonary hypertension (acute).

Which species have cited Epoprostenol dosing data?

Epoprostenol dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 2 species: Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic).

Is Epoprostenol a controlled substance?

Epoprostenol is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

What are the side effects of Epoprostenol?

Reported side effects, adverse reactions, and contraindications for Epoprostenol: Continuous IV infusion required — very short half-life (~6 min). Abrupt discontinuation can cause fatal rebound PH. Hypotension risk.

What is the constant rate infusion (CRI) dose for Epoprostenol?

Epoprostenol has 2 CRI dose rules in the ExoticRx formulary, covering Dog (Domestic), Cat (Domestic). See the CRI section on this page for routes, dose ranges, and source citations.

Epoprostenol

US brand names:Flolan, Veletri

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Epoprostenol is dosed at 1–5 ng/kg/min IV Continuous IV infusion in dogs, per Corroborated 2026-07-31: Yuchi Y, Suzuki R, Satomi S, et al. Vet Sci 2023;10(4):302. doi:10.3390/vetsci10040302 PMID:37104457 - dog, epoprostenol IV infusion 2-20 ng/kg/min in 6 beagles with experimental chronic pulmonary hypertension; PVR fell at 15-20 ng/kg/min.. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Respiratory

Routes

Indications

Severe pulmonary hypertension

Mechanism of Action

Synthetic prostacyclin (PGI2) that causes potent pulmonary and systemic vasodilation and inhibits platelet aggregation via cAMP elevation.

Side effects & warnings

Continuous IV infusion required — very short half-life (~6 min). Abrupt discontinuation can cause fatal rebound PH. Hypotension risk.

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Weak×1Extrapolated×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 2 published sources

· Corroborated 2026-07-31: Yuchi Y, Suzuki R, Satomi S, et al. Vet Sci 2023;10(4):302. doi:10.3390/vetsci10040302 PMID:37104457 - dog, epoprostenol IV infusion 2-20 ng/kg/min in 6 beagles with experimental chronic pulmonary hypertension; PVR fell at 15-20 ng/kg/min.
· Source not established. The citation previously shown here named no retrievable document; a literature search on 2026-07-31 found no source that states this dose for this species and route. Treat as unverified and confirm against a primary reference before clinical use.

Constant rate infusion (CRI)

Epoprostenol CRI dose rules from the ExoticRx formulary. Verify against current literature before clinical use; CRI rates differ from bolus dosing and route, dilution, and monitoring matter. Sign in for the complete per-species CRI protocol set.

Species	Route	Rate	Indication	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	IV	1–5 ng/kg/minContinuous IV infusion	Severe pulmonary hypertension	Weak	Corroborated 2026-07-31: Yuchi Y, Suzuki R, Satomi S, et al. Vet Sci 2023;10(4):302. doi:10.3390/vetsci10040302 PMID:37104457 - dog, epoprostenol IV infusion 2-20 ng/kg/min in 6 beagles with experimental chronic pulmonary hypertension; PVR fell at 15-20 ng/kg/min.
Cat (Domestic)	IV	1–5 ng/kg/minContinuous IV infusion	Severe pulmonary hypertension (acute)	Extrapolated

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

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	1–5 ng/kg/min	Continuous IV infusion	Weak	Corroborated 2026-07-31: Yuchi Y, Suzuki R, Satomi S, et al. Vet Sci 2023;10(4):302. doi:10.3390/vetsci10040302 PMID:37104457 - dog, epoprostenol IV infusion 2-20 ng/kg/min in 6 beagles with experimental chronic pulmonary hypertension; PVR fell at 15-20 ng/kg/min.
Cat (Domestic)	IV	1–5 ng/kg/min	Continuous IV infusion	Extrapolated	Source not established. The citation previously shown here named no retrievable document; a literature search on 2026-07-31 found no source that states this dose for this species and route. Treat as unverified and confirm against a primary reference before clinical use.

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Dog (Domestic)IV
1–5 ng/kg/minContinuous IV infusion
Severe pulmonary hypertension
WeakCorroborated 2026-07-31: Yuchi Y, Suzuki R, Satomi S, et al. Vet Sci 2023;10(4):302. doi:10.3390/vetsci10040302 PMID:37104457 - dog, epoprostenol IV infusion 2-20 ng/kg/min in 6 beagles with experimental chronic pulmonary hypertension; PVR fell at 15-20 ng/kg/min.
Cat (Domestic)IV
1–5 ng/kg/minContinuous IV infusion
Severe pulmonary hypertension (acute)
ExtrapolatedSource not established. The citation previously shown here named no retrievable document; a literature search on 2026-07-31 found no source that states this dose for this species and route. Treat as unverified and confirm against a primary reference before clinical use.