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(for veterinary information only)
AVAILABLE IN
10 mg TABLETS,
10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg CAPSULES,
ORAL LIQUID,
AND
8 mg, 16 mg, 32 mg, 64 mg
CHEWABLE TABLETS
FOR DOGS.
Anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression are common problems for humans. Because the development of drugs that alleviate these conditions is ongoing, there are many medications on the market for these uses currently. One of the more popular classes of anti-anxiety medications are the “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors” also called “SSRI”’s for short.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain associated among other things with mood elevation and reduced aggression. Increasing serotonin in the brain means less anxiety and a happier attitude. By inhibiting the brain’s system for removing used serotonin, SSRI’s cause serotonin to linger, lasting longer. The more serotonin we have in our brains, the less anxiety, obsession, and depression we get.
Eli Lilly, a prominent pharmaceutical company, tested many related compounds and released fluoxetine as the most specific “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor” of all of them. Fluoxetine, marketed under the brand name Prozac®, was not quite the first SSRI on the human market but quickly became the most popular.
It was not long after that that fluoxetine found its way into veterinary use for animals with anxiety, compulsive behavior, and other behavior issues. When low-cost generic fluoxetine became available, its use increased in the veterinary market and in 2007 Eli Lilly released a version of fluoxetine specifically labeled for animal use.
Fluoxetine has been used in many animal behavior issues: inappropriate urine marking in both dogs and cats, separation anxiety, compulsive chewing, circling, and self-mutilation, even aggression. Eli Lilly released a product approved for dogs (Reconcile®) in 2007. This product is specifically approved for the treatment of separation anxiety.
It should be noted that the treatment of behavior disorders requires training in addition to simply giving the pet a medication. In the instance of separation anxiety, Lilly has trademarked the B.O.N.D. training program (for details visit www.reconcile.com). Our on-line web library also has information (see link above). When medication and treatment were combined, 42% of dogs with separation anxiety showed improvement by the end of the first week and 73% were improved within 8 weeks.
Fluoxetine is usually given once daily.
It is important to understand that whenever an anti-anxiety medication is used, the phenomenon of “disinhibition” is possible. What this means is that an animal’s inhibitions about aggressive behavior may be reduced when his or her anxiety over the consequences of such behavior is removed. An animal that was not previously aggressive could potentially become aggressive.
The most common side effect is drowsiness or lethargy.
Appetite reduction is a common side effect of fluoxetine in the dog. Approximately 22% of the dogs in the Reconcile® licensing studies showed 5-10% weight loss on this medication while 6% showed 10-15% weight loss. In other words, these dogs lost 5-10% or 10-15% of the initial body weight while taking fluoxetine.
Some patients will experience an upset stomach with this medication.
Fluoxetine should not be used in combination with drugs that could increase the likelihood of seizures (such as acepromazine).
Fluoxetine should not be given in conjunction with a Monoamine oxide inhibitor (“MAO inhibitor”) such as seligiline or amitraz. This would include amitraz containing collars such as the Preventic® collar, dips such as Mitaban® dip, and flea products such as Promeris® for dogs.
This medication is best not used in patients with diabetes mellitus or with seizure disorders.
Page posted: 8/9/2011
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