Diethylcarbamazine Citrate
Why has my veterinarian prescribed this medicine?
Diethylcarbamazine citrate is used for prevention of heartworm disease, and/or the treatment of roundworm infections in cats.
How do I give this medication?
- Give this medication to your pet as directed by your veterinarian. READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY.
- Try to give this medication at about the same time each day.
- DO NOT give the pet more medicine than directed
- DO NOT give more often than directed.
- Try not to miss giving any doses. Give all doses as directed by your veterinarian.
What if I miss giving a dose?
"Contact your veterinarian if you have missed giving more than two to three doses."
Give the dose as soon as possible. Contact your veterinarian if you have missed giving more than two to three doses. Do not give two doses at once.
How do I store this medicine?
- Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
- Store this medicine in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Store away from heat and direct sunlight.
- Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink or in damp places. The medicine may break down if exposed to heat or moisture.
What are the potential side effects?
- Adverse effects are uncommon.
- Occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea may occur.
- Stomach upset may occur. In this case, try giving the medication with food or soon after eating.
- If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian.
Are there any possible drug interactions?
- Make sure to tell your veterinarian what other medication you are giving to your pet.
- Quite often, your veterinarian may prescribe two different medications, even if a drug interaction may occur. In this case, your veterinarian may vary the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
- The following drugs can potentially interact with diethylcarbamazine citrate: pyrantel, levamisole, and morantel.
- Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.
© Copyright 2025 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license. This content written by LifeLearn Animal Health (LifeLearn Inc.) is licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written consent of LifeLearn. This content does not contain all available information for any referenced medications and has not been reviewed by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, or Health Canada Veterinary Drugs Directorate. This content may help answer commonly asked questions, but is not a substitute for medical advice, or a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by a veterinarian. Please contact your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health. Last updated on Jul 7, 2016.