Amitriptyline Generic Tablets for Pets

Why has my veterinarian prescribed this medicine?

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. Amitriptyline has been prescribed to treat separation anxiety in your dog or to treat excessive grooming, urine spraying or anxiety in cats. In birds, amitriptyline may be used for behavior problems such as feather picking. This medication may also be used to prevent itching in dogs, to treat neuropathic pain or to decrease the signs of urinary tract inflammation in cats.

 

How do I give this medication?

• Give this medication to your pet as directed by your veterinarian.READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY.
• If the medicine is a liquid, measure the dose with reasonable care.
• Try to give this medication at about the same time each day.
• DO NOT give the pet more medicine than directed and do not give more often than directed.
• DO NOT stop giving this medication to your pet unless directed by your veterinarian. Call your veterinarian ahead of time if your pet needs a refill.
• Try not to miss giving any doses.
• It may take several weeks before effects of the medication are noted.

 

What if I miss giving a dose?

Give the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule. Do not give the pet 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? 

• The most notable side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, urine retention, constipation and an irregular heart rate.
• Your pet may experience some excitement, disorientation, hyperactivity and stomach upset. If these symptoms persist, contact your veterinarian.
• Other noted symptoms: seizures, tremors and irregular heartbeat.
• Notify your veterinarian if symptoms are troublesome and continue.
• Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian.

 

Are there any possible drug interactions?

• Make sure to tell your veterinarian what other medication or supplements 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 amitritpyline: amitraz, selegiline, barbiturates, sedatives, epinephrine, norepinephrine, antithyroid drugs (medicine for an over active thyroid), and cimetidine.
• Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.

Amitriptyline Hydrochloride (Generic) Tablets for Pets (Rx)

Trade Names:

Amitriptyline hydrochloride is a tricyclic antidepressant used to control various behavior problems in dogs and cats. It may also be used to control some types of pain as well as severe itching. Best results are achieved with most behavior drugs by simultaneous use of behavior modification training. Amitryptiline is available as an oral liquid or as tablets or capsules.

• A tricyclic antidepressant used to control various behavior disorders and neuropathic pain and severe itching in dogs and cats

• Treat excessive grooming, separation anxiety or generalized anxiety in dogs
• Treat excessive grooming, urine spraying and anxiety in cats
• Prevent itching in dogs
• Treat neuropathic pain (chronic pain due to nerve injury)
• May decrease signs of urinary tract inflammation in cats

• Pets that have shown a prior sensitivity to other tricyclic drugs or like products before
• Pets that are presently using monoamine oxidase inhibitors
• Use with extreme caution in pets with a history of seizures, as the seizure threshold is lowered
• Use with caution in pets with thyroid disorders, liver disorders, KCS ('dry eye' syndrome), glaucoma, cardiac rhythm disorders, diabetes or adrenal tumors
• Pregnant pets

Give medication as directed by your veterinarian. Read and follow the label carefully.

Give the exact amount prescribed and only as often as directed. It is normally given once or twice a day.

Give this medication for as long as your veterinarian directs. Do not stop giving it suddenly as it must be tapered off slowly in order to prevent the animal suffering uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Call ahead for refills.

Ideally, give the medication at the same time daily.

If a dose is missed, give it as soon as you can. If it is time already for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at the same time.

It may take several weeks before effects of the medication are noted.

Talk to your veterinarian about:

• Signs of the condition your pet has
• When will your pet need to be rechecked
• What tests may need to be performed prior to and during treatment with this drug
• Risks and benefits of using this drug

Tell your veterinarian about:

• If your pet has experienced side-effects on other drugs/products
• If your pet has experienced digestive upset now or ever
• If your pet has experienced liver or kidney disease now or ever
• If your pet has experienced any other medical problems or allergies now or ever
• All medicines (including tick collars) and supplements that you are giving your pet or plan to give your pet, including those you can get without a prescription. Your veterinarian may want to check that all of your pet's medicines can be given together.
• If your pet is pregnant or nursing or if you plan to breed your pet

Keep in a cool, dry place at room temperature.

People should not take this product. Keep this and all medication out of reach of children and pets. Call your physician immediately if you accidentally take this product.

• Dogs: sedation, hyperexcitability, seizures, disorientation, faster heart rate, dry mouth (frequent licking of lips), bone marrow suppression, low platelet count (bruising), urine retention, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, or various endocrine effects
• Cats: sedation, drooling, urinary retention, anorexia, low platelet count (bruising), unkempt hair coat, vomiting, disorientation or faster hear rate
• Signs of an allergic reaction could include: facial swelling, hives, scratching, sudden onset of diarrhea, vomiting, shock, seizures, pale gums, cold limbs, or coma
• If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian

The following drugs can potentially interact with amitriptyline: amitraz, antithyroid drugs (medicine for overactive thyroid), barbiturates, cimetidine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, sedatives and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Anipryl®).

Overdosing with tricyclics can be life threatening. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet eats more than the prescribed amount.

This is just a summary of information about amitriptyline. If you have any questions or concerns about amitriptyline or the condition it was prescribed for, contact to your veterinarian.

As with all prescribed medicines, amitriptyline should only be given to the dog/cat for which it was prescribed. It should be given only for the condition for which it was prescribed. It is important to periodically discuss your pet's response to amitriptyline at regular check ups. Your veterinarian will best determine if your pet is responding as expected and if your pet should continue receiving amitriptyline.