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Fluoxetine HCl 20mg Capsules
Fluoxetine is indicated for the treatment of canine and feline aggression,
anxiety, and stereotypic, obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
Fluoxetine is also given to cats for inappropriate elimination.
Fluoxetine is a highly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor thereby
potentiating the pharmacologic activity of serotonin. In dogs and cats,
fluoxetine has anti-anxiety and anticompulsive
effects, and may also reduce aggressive behaviors.
This medication is most effective when used with a behavior modification
program. Indications for Fluoxetine
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders in dogs: tail chasing, flank sucking, blanket sucking, light chasing
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders in cats: wool sucking/pica and psychogenic alopecia
- Equine compulsions: cribbing and wind sucking
- Excessive licking
- Aggression caused by fear or anxiety, as well as for a dominant, bully dog or cat
- Anxiety, including separation anxiety
- Feline inappropriate elimination
- Thunderstorm phobia
- Canine lick granuloma
Trade Names: Prozac, Reconcile
Dosages:
Dogs:
1–2 mg/kg orally once daily. May use long-term. Continue medication until 2 months after
a satisfactory response and then discontinue gradually if possible; behavioral
management program should continue. Animals that relapse may resume therapy.
Some dogs may require life-long treatment at the lowest effective dose. During
seasonal noise fears, may add a benzodiazepine.
Cats:
- For adjunctive treatment of aggression: 0.5–1.5 mg/kg orally once daily.
- To help control urine marking or separation anxiety: 0.5–1 mg/kg (2.5–5 mg
per cat) orally once daily.
- To control itching when other treatments have failed: 1–5 mg/cat orally once
daily. Re-evaluate treatment after 1-4 weeks. Taper off dose over 6-8 weeks.
- For generalized anxiety disorder: 0.5–1.5 mg/kg orally once daily.
Adverse Reactions:
The most commonly reported adverse effects include:
lethargy/depression, decreased appetite, vomiting, shaking, tremor,
restlessness, diarrhea, and excessive vocalization (whining); if these are
severe or persist, contact your veterinarian.
Do not stop this medication abruptly without veterinarian's guidance.
Rarely, dogs may develop seizures (convulsion) while receiving this medication;
contact veterinarian immediately should this occur.
Potential Drug Interactions:
Buspirone,
cyproheptadine, diazepam, diuretics, insulin, lsonizaid, MAO inhibitors
(amitraz, selegiline), pentazocine, phenytoin, propranolol, tramadol,
tricyclic antidepressants (clomipramine, amitriptyline), trazoldone, and
warfarin.
Contraindications/Precaution:
Fluoxetine should not be used in dogs with epilepsy or a history of seizures,
and should not be given with drugs that lower the seizure threshold (e.g.,
acepromazine, chlorpromazine). Fluoxetine is contraindicated in patients with
known hypersensitivity to it, as well as those receiving monoamine oxidase
inhibitors.
Fluoxetine should be used with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus as
it may alter blood glucose. Dosages may need to be reduced in patients with
severe hepatic impairment.
Because of the long half-life of norfluoxetine, tapering off the drug is
probably only necessary when a patient has been on the drug long-term (> 8
weeks)
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