ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/esomeprazole
US brand names:Nexium
Esomeprazole is dosed at 0.5–1 mg/kg IV q12-24h in dogs, per Kuhl A, Odunayo A, Price J, et al. Comparative analysis of the effect of IV administered acid suppressants on gastric pH in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2020;34(2):678-683. doi:10.1111/jvim.15718 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.507 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.480, Esomeprazole monograph spanning p.478-480; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
S-isomer of omeprazole. Irreversibly inhibits H+/K+ ATPase (proton pump) in gastric parietal cells. More predictable pharmacokinetics than omeprazole.
More bioavailable than omeprazole. IV form available for acute GI bleeding. Long-term use may affect calcium/magnesium absorption. Rebound acid hypersecretion on discontinuation.
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 | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q12-24h | Moderate | Kuhl A, Odunayo A, Price J, et al. Comparative analysis of the effect of IV administered acid suppressants on gastric pH in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2020;34(2):678-683. doi:10.1111/jvim.15718 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.507 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.480, Esomeprazole monograph spanning p.478-480; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 1 mg/kg | q24h (on an empty stomach) | Moderate |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted), Esomeprazole, Dosages, DOGS(b), printed p.480 (corpus PDF p.507), ref 2: Hwang JH, Jeong JW, Song GH, Koo TS, Seo KW. Pharmacokinetics and acid suppressant efficacy of esomeprazole after intravenous, oral, and subcutaneous administration to healthy beagle dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2017;31(3):743-750. Concordant second text: Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th Ed, printed p.302 (PDF p.330): 'Dogs 20 mg/dog q24h PO or 1-2 mg/kg q24h PO; 1 mg/kg by IV injection.' — EDITION UNVERIFIABLE 2026-08-07: this citation names Papich 5th ed, which is NOT held. Its page locator does not resolve to a page naming this drug in the held 4th ed (2016), so the reference cannot be confirmed against any copy available here. Treat the page number as unchecked and consult the 5th edition directly. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs — ISBN 9780323244855, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323244855 |