What is Erythromycin (Prokinetic) used for?

Erythromycin (Prokinetic) is indicated for: delayed gastric emptying, Gastroparesis.

Which species have cited Erythromycin (Prokinetic) dosing data?

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

Is Erythromycin (Prokinetic) a controlled substance?

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

What are the side effects of Erythromycin (Prokinetic)?

Reported side effects, adverse reactions, and contraindications for Erythromycin (Prokinetic): Prokinetic doses are 0.5-1 mg/kg, much lower than antimicrobial doses. GI upset at higher doses. Tachyphylaxis develops within days.

Erythromycin (Prokinetic)

US brand names:E-Mycin, Erythrocin

Calculate dosage

Contraindicated in Chinchilla, Guinea Pig, Rabbit, Hamster, Degu

Chinchilla: Oral erythromycin causes fatal dysbiosis in chinchillasOral erythromycin is among the antibiotics classically associated with fatal enterotoxemia in chinchillas. Avoid.
Guinea Pig: Oral erythromycin causes fatal dysbiosis in guinea pigsOral erythromycin is one of the antibiotics classically fatal to guinea pigs via Clostridium enterotoxemia. Avoid.
Rabbit: Oral erythromycin causes fatal dysbiosis in rabbitsOral erythromycin disrupts the rabbit hindgut flora and can precipitate fatal enterotoxemia, the same mechanism as oral beta-lactams and lincosamides. (Azithromycin is used with relative safety and is not flagged here.)
Hamster: Oral erythromycin causes fatal enterocolitis in hamstersHamsters are exquisitely sensitive to antibiotic-associated enterocolitis; oral erythromycin, like oral beta-lactams and lincosamides, can precipitate fatal Clostridium enterotoxemia. Avoid.
Degu: Oral erythromycin risks fatal dysbiosis in degusDegus are hindgut fermenters; oral erythromycin disrupts the gram-positive gut flora and can precipitate fatal enterotoxemia, the same mechanism as the oral beta-lactams and lincosamides already contraindicated in this species. Degu-specific data is limited, so this warning is extrapolated from the related hystricomorphs, as the other two degu contraindications are.

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

Erythromycin (Prokinetic) is dosed at 0.5–1 mg/kg PO q8h in dogs, per Hall JA, Washabau RJ. Gastric prokinetic agents. In: Bonagura JD, ed. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy: XIII Small Animal Practice. W.B. Saunders; 2000:609-617. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.502 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Gastrointestinal

Routes

POIV

Indications

delayed gastric emptyingGastroparesis

Mechanism of Action

At sub-antimicrobial doses, acts as a motilin receptor agonist stimulating gastric antral contractions and accelerating gastric emptying.

Side effects & warnings

Prokinetic doses are 0.5-1 mg/kg, much lower than antimicrobial doses. GI upset at higher doses. Tachyphylaxis develops within days.

Species with Erythromycin (Prokinetic) dosing data (2 dose rules)

Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)

Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Moderate×1Weak×1

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

Backed by a published source

· Hall JA, Washabau RJ. Gastric prokinetic agents. In: Bonagura JD, ed. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy: XIII Small Animal Practice. W.B. Saunders; 2000:609-617. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.502 (2026-08-01).

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)	PO	0.5–1 mg/kg	q8h	Moderate	Hall JA, Washabau RJ. Gastric prokinetic agents. In: Bonagura JD, ed. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy: XIII Small Animal Practice. W.B. Saunders; 2000:609-617. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.502 (2026-08-01).
Cat (Domestic)	PO	0.5–1 mg/kg	q8h	Weak	Hall JA, Washabau RJ. Gastric prokinetic agents. In: Bonagura JD, ed. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy: XIII Small Animal Practice. W.B. Saunders; 2000:609-617. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.502 (2026-08-01).

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