What is Nizatidine used for?

Nizatidine is indicated for: Gastric ulcers, gastroparesis, GERD.

Which species have cited Nizatidine dosing data?

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

Is Nizatidine a controlled substance?

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

What are the side effects of Nizatidine?

Reported side effects, adverse reactions, and contraindications for Nizatidine: Dual benefit of acid reduction and prokinetic effect. Fewer drug interactions than cimetidine. Monitor hepatic/renal function.

Nizatidine

US brand names:Axid

Calculate dosage

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

Nizatidine is dosed at 2.5–5 mg/kg PO q24h in cats, per Hall JA, Washabau RJ. Diagnosis and treatment of gastric motility disorders. Vet Clin North Am Small Animal Pract. 1999;29(2):377-395. Whitehead K, Cortes Y, Eirmann L. Gastrointestinal dysmotility disorders in critically ill dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2016;26(2):234-253. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.942, Nizatidine monograph spanning p.941-942. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Gastrointestinal

Routes

Indications

Gastric ulcersgastroparesisGERD

Mechanism of Action

Competitive H2 receptor antagonist that reduces gastric acid secretion. Uniquely among H2 blockers, also inhibits acetylcholinesterase, providing prokinetic activity.

Side effects & warnings

Dual benefit of acid reduction and prokinetic effect. Fewer drug interactions than cimetidine. Monitor hepatic/renal function.

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Extrapolated×1Weak×1

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

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
Cat (Domestic)	PO	2.5–5 mg/kg	q24h	Weak	Hall JA, Washabau RJ. Diagnosis and treatment of gastric motility disorders. Vet Clin North Am Small Animal Pract. 1999;29(2):377-395. doi:10.1016/s0195-5616(99)50027-2; Whitehead K, Cortes Y, Eirmann L. Gastrointestinal dysmotility disorders in critically ill dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2016;26(2):234-253. doi:10.1111/vec.12449 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.942, Nizatidine monograph spanning p.941-942.
Dog (Domestic)	PO	2.5–5 mg/kg	q24h	Extrapolated	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed. (2023), printed p.942, DOGS/CATS (extra-label). Corroborated by Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs 4th ed. (2016), printed p.572: 'Dogs - 2.5-5 mg/kg q24h PO.'

Backed by 2 published sourcesShow

· Hall JA, Washabau RJ. Diagnosis and treatment of gastric motility disorders. Vet Clin North Am Small Animal Pract. 1999;29(2):377-395. doi:10.1016/s0195-5616(99)50027-2; Whitehead K, Cortes Y, Eirmann L. Gastrointestinal dysmotility disorders in critically ill dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2016;26(2):234-253. doi:10.1111/vec.12449 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.942, Nizatidine monograph spanning p.941-942.
· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed. (2023), printed p.942, DOGS/CATS (extra-label). Corroborated by Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs 4th ed. (2016), printed p.572: 'Dogs - 2.5-5 mg/kg q24h PO.'

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