What is Propentofylline used for?

Propentofylline is indicated for: Cognitive dysfunction syndrome, lethargy in geriatric dogs, See source.

Which species have cited Propentofylline dosing data?

Propentofylline dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 5 species: Dog (Domestic), Great Horned Owl, Harris Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Red-tailed Hawk.

Is Propentofylline a controlled substance?

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

What are the side effects of Propentofylline?

Reported side effects, adverse reactions, and contraindications for Propentofylline: Licensed in some countries for canine cognitive dysfunction and lethargy/dullness in old dogs. Give on empty stomach. GI upset rare.

Propentofylline

US brand names:Vivitonin, Karsivan

Calculate dosage

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

Propentofylline is dosed at 5 mg/kg PO q12h in great horned owls, per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed., p.493. Row as printed binds this dose to raptors on its own line: "Propentofylline 5 mg/kg PO q12h × 20-40 Raptors/wingtip edema; dry gangrene syndrome". Located by line-level extraction and then read on the page; the species binding is the row's own species column, not text proximity.. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Respiratory

Routes

Indications

Cognitive dysfunction syndromelethargy in geriatric dogsSee source

Mechanism of Action

Inhibits adenosine reuptake and phosphodiesterase, improving microcirculation and red blood cell deformability. Neuroprotective via adenosine receptor modulation.

Side effects & warnings

Licensed in some countries for canine cognitive dysfunction and lethargy/dullness in old dogs. Give on empty stomach. GI upset rare.

Species with Propentofylline dosing data (5 dose rules)

Dog (Domestic)Great Horned Owl Harris Hawk Peregrine Falcon Red-tailed Hawk

Species references:All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Great Horned Owl drugs All Harris Hawk drugs All Peregrine Falcon drugs All Red-tailed Hawk drugs

Evidence levels across 5 dose rules

Moderate×5

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

Backed by 2 published sources

· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed., p.493. Row as printed binds this dose to raptors on its own line: "Propentofylline 5 mg/kg PO q12h × 20-40 Raptors/wingtip edema; dry gangrene syndrome". Located by line-level extraction and then read on the page; the species binding is the row's own species column, not text proximity.
· Siwak CT, Gruet P, Woehrlé F et al. (2000). Comparison of the effects of adrafinil, propentofylline, and nicergoline on behavior in aged dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research 61, 1410-1414 doi:10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.1410 — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.362 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.362' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.346; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.346. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705

Sample dosing (1 of 5 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 5 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	3–5 mg/kg	q12h	Moderate	Siwak CT, Gruet P, Woehrlé F et al. (2000). Comparison of the effects of adrafinil, propentofylline, and nicergoline on behavior in aged dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research 61, 1410-1414 doi:10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.1410 — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.362 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.362' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.346; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.346. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705

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