Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. It’s used to treat certain behavioral problems, such as separation anxiety, fear of noises, and anxiety in dogs, and urinating out of the litter box, spraying, and anxiety in cats. Amitriptyline requires a prescription from your veterinarian.
For: Cats and Dogs
Benefits:
•
Treats behavioral issues in dogs, such as separation anxiety
•
Remedies feline behavioral problems, like urinating outside the litter box
•
Reduces the frequency of vet visits
How it works: Amitriptyline affects chemicals in the brain that become unbalanced, leading to behavioral problems in your pet.
Cautions: Side effects of Amitriptyline may include drowsiness, dizziness, loss of appetite, and urinary retention, and this product may interact with other products your pet is taking.
More Information:
Brand Name Elavil (Merck)
Generic Name Amitriptyline (am-e-trip’-ta-lean)
What is the most important information I should know about amitriptyline: Amitriptyline is a prescription medication not FDA approved for veterinary use; however, it is a commonly accepted practice for veterinarians to use this medication in dogs and cats. Amitriptyline is available as 10mg, 25mg, 50mg and 75mg tablets. The usual initial dose for dogs is 0.5-2mg per pound every 8-12 hours. The usual dose in cats is 5-10mg per cat once a day, at night. This medication may not help symptoms right away. It may take a number of days before symptoms begin to lessen. Contact your veterinarian if symptoms get worse or if new symptoms develop while the pet is on this medication. Amitriptyline may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
What is Amitriptyline: Amitriptyline is a Tricyclic antidepressant. Amitriptyline affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced leading to behavioral problems in dogs and cats. Amitriptyline is used in dogs to treat conditions such as separation anxiety, anxiety and fear of noise. In cats, amitriptyline is used to treat conditions such as urinating outside of the litter box, spraying, excessive grooming and anxiety. Amitriptyline may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this guide.
What should I discuss with my veterinarian before giving amitriptyline to my pet: Do not give this medication if your pet has taken or used a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as selegiline, Mitaban Dip or Preventic Collar within the last 14 days. Tell your veterinarian if your pet has liver or kidney disease; asthma; thyroid disease; diabetes; stomach or intestinal problems; high blood pressure or heart disease; difficulty urinating, or glaucoma. Tell your veterinarian if the pet is pregnant or lactating.
How should this medication be given: Give this medication exactly as directed by your veterinarian. Allow pet to drink plenty of water. If you do not understand the directions ask the pharmacist or veterinarian to explain them to you. Do not stop giving amitriptyline suddenly. This could cause symptoms such as nausea, headache and malaise. Store amitriptyline at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep this medication away from children and pets.
What happens if I miss giving a dose: Give the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not give a double dose of the medication.
What happens if I overdose the pet: Seek emergency veterinary medical treatment. Symptoms of amitriptyline overdose include seizures, confusion, drowsiness, agitation, hallucinations and low blood pressure (dizziness, fatigue, fainting).
What should I avoid while giving Amitriptyline to my pet: Amitriptyline may cause dizziness or drowsiness.
What are the possible side effects of Amitriptyline: If any of the following serious side effects occur, stop giving amitriptyline and seek emergency veterinary medical attention; an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; swelling of the lips, tongue or face, or hives); seizures; a fast or irregular heartbeat; high blood pressure; difficulty urinating; panting, muscle stiffness or severe muscle weakness. Other less serious side effects may occur. Continue giving amitriptyline and talk to your veterinarian if your pet has drowsiness or dizziness; dry mouth and eyes; constipation; panting; mild agitation, weakness or headache; nausea or loss of weight or appetite. Other side effects may also occur. Talk to your veterinarian about any side effect that seems unusual or bothersome to the animal.
What other drugs will affect Amitriptyline: Do not give this medication if your pet has taken or used a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as selegiline, Mitaban Dip or Preventic Collar within the last 14 days. Amitriptyline may increase the effects of other drugs that may cause drowsiness, including other antidepressants, antihistamines, sedatives, pain relievers, anxiety medications, and muscle relaxants. Drugs other than those listed may also interact with amitriptyline. Talk to your veterinarian or pharmacist before giving any prescription or over the counter medicines including herbal products.
Where can I get more information: Your pharmacist has additional information about amitriptyline written for health professionals that you may read.
Call your veterinarian for medical advice about any side effects to your pet. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Directions:
•
Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant available by prescription for use in dogs to treat certain behavioral problems such as separation anxiety, fear of noises, and anxiety.
•
Amitriptyline is not FDA approved for use in veterinary medicine; however, it is a commonly accepted practice for veterinarians to prescribe this medication for dogs and cats.
•
Amitriptyline is used in cats to treat urinating out of the litter box, spraying, and anxiety.
•
Do not give this medication if your pet is or has been using an MAOi (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) such as Selegiline, Anipryl, Mitaban Dip, or Preventic Collar within the last 14 days.
Tip: It may take a number of days before symptoms begin to lessen. Allow pet to drink plenty of water. Do not stop giving Amitriptyline suddenly.
Dosage:
Pet
Weight
Dosage
Dogs:
All weights
The usual initial dose is 0.5-2 mg per pound of pet’s body weight every 8-12 hours
Cats/Kittens:
All weights
The usual dose is 5-10 mg once a day, at night
Horses:
Storage: Store Amitriptyline at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Amitriptyline:
Active Ingredient
Amount
Amitriptyline HCL
10 mg
Other Ingredients: Colloidal silicone dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch (corn), titanium dioxide. 10 mg dose also includes: D & C Red # 27 Aluminum Lake, D & C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake, and FD & C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake. 25 mg dose also includes: D & C Yellow Aluminum Lake. 50 mg dose also includes: FD & C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake, and FD & C Red #40 Aluminum Lake. 75 mg dose also includes: D & C Red #7 Calcium Lake, and FD & C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake.
Amitriptyline:
Active Ingredient
Amount
Amitriptyline HCL
25 mg
Other Ingredients: Colloidal silicone dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch (corn), titanium dioxide. 10 mg dose also includes: D & C Red # 27 Aluminum Lake, D & C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake, and FD & C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake. 25 mg dose also includes: D & C Yellow Aluminum Lake. 50 mg dose also includes: FD & C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake, and FD & C Red #40 Aluminum Lake. 75 mg dose also includes: D & C Red #7 Calcium Lake, and FD & C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake.
Amitriptyline:
Active Ingredient
Amount
Amitriptyline HCL
50 mg
Other Ingredients: Colloidal silicone dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch (corn), titanium dioxide. 10 mg dose also includes: D & C Red # 27 Aluminum Lake, D & C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake, and FD & C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake. 25 mg dose also includes: D & C Yellow Aluminum Lake. 50 mg dose also includes: FD & C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake, and FD & C Red #40 Aluminum Lake. 75 mg dose also includes: D & C Red #7 Calcium Lake, and FD & C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake.
Amitriptyline:
Active Ingredient
Amount
Amitriptyline HCL
75 mg
Other Ingredients: Colloidal silicone dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch (corn), titanium dioxide. 10 mg dose also includes: D & C Red # 27 Aluminum Lake, D & C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake, and FD & C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake. 25 mg dose also includes: D & C Yellow Aluminum Lake. 50 mg dose also includes: FD & C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake, and FD & C Red #40 Aluminum Lake. 75 mg dose also includes: D & C Red #7 Calcium Lake, and FD & C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake.
Amitriptyline
4.1
5
38
38
Excellent product
Two female dogs of mine were prone to fights, although infrequently, were damaging to them and to me. There was little warning. After the vet recommended this drug for them, they have become reliable friends, playing together, and no fights or even threatening behavior. I am thrilled.
800PetMeds offers this drug made by Sandoz. I had tried the same drug but manufactured by another company through my local drugstore, and it did not work.
01/26/2013
Life changer!
Our dog was adopted from a local shelter this year, who had rescued him from another shelter in northern KY. He's a Tibetian terrier and unknown to all had lots of anxiety/abandonment issues. After destroying several pieces of furniture and a large area rug, we were running out of options and didn't want to crate him all the time. He is a lover and has ton of energy. We turned to this product, and have a changed dog! I highly recommend it...has calmed our dog down, and he has quit chewing up everything in sight!
12/08/2012
Helped male cat urinate
If I had to had to leave my male kitty alone overnight, the stress and anxiety for him were much worse than for my female cat. Twice he could not urinate about 24 hours after I retuned. He would get in and out of the litter box constantly peeing small amounts. In and out without stop. I thought he might have a blockage / crystals and took him quickly to the vet. She found that his bladder was empty so he wasn't blocked. She had me give him amitriptyline and within hours he was relaxed and able to urinate with ease. The vet told me anxious boy kitties can get so stressed that it effects their urinating. I was very happy with the results of using amitriptyline.
11/19/2012
So far, so great
Our cat was not using the litter box, and was especially bothered by our two young children. I tried EVERYTHING that is recommended with litter box problems. Finally I took her to the vet, and I wish that I would have asked for her to have medication sooner. She is much more friendly, and even lets the kids pet her for short bits, she wouldn't even be in the same room before. And all of her litter box problems are resolved. It's nice to have a good cat again.
She has only been on it for just over a month, so I can't speak to any side effects, but she seems great right now.
11/15/2012
Fawn
Fawn does well on Amitriptyline - she is still outgoing and loving but without all the stress - she was a very aggressive crazy cat and also urinated all over - she will still bite on occasion and still urinates on occasion but i can tell she is much more content and not suffering from anxiety like she was when we got her - she was left at the animal shelter in night receiving and i always joked after i got her, and saw her personality, that they dumped her and RAN - i couldn't bring myself to take her back because i figured they would have to euthanize her so i decided medication was the only answer - she has a good life as she gets to go outside when we are home and has an outdoor run she can go into any time - she also gets along much better with our other cats and doesn't attack them - i guess you could say Amitriptyline saved her life because we would have had to take her back to shelter as aggressive as she was - we only give her a half of pill per day.
08/25/2012
You may need to taper the down the dose before stopping this medication. you will need to speak with the veterinarian about an apropriate taper regimen.
i have 5 cats. one of which has recently begun having behavior changes, aggressiveness and urinating out of the box... took to vet and he checked his kidneys, etc. suggested feliway and more litter boxes. have done both, and more. no progress after a week. the other 4 cats are beginning to show signs of stress and anxiety now...
Comfort Zone with Feliway for Cats is an excellent product. Perhaps you should try to restrict the cats to a particular room where the Comfort Zone is plugged in so they get maximum benefit from the product.
My dog (walker hound) has been taking this med for over a year for allergies. He had a skin test, and he also gets weekly shots. We haven't had any issues at all. He's naturally laid back anyway, so I haven't noticed any behavioral changes. Allergy symptoms have lessened, but haven't gone away completely. By the way, my dog is under the care of an animal allergy and dermatology specialist. We chose this treatment instead of steriods.
This information sheet is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian. Note: Any trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
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