Clomipramine (Generic) Tablets: for Pets with Behavioral Problems

Why has my veterinarian prescribed Clomipramine Tablets?

Clomipramine is prescribed to treat behavioral problems in pets. In dogs, this medication is used to treat obsessive-compulsive behavior, separation anxiety or dominance aggression. In cats, this medication may be prescribed to prevent urine marking/spraying, inter-cat aggression and compulsive grooming. Clomipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant.

How do I give Clomipramine Tablets?

First, READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY.

Administer Clomipramine as directed by your veterinarian.

If you have Clomipramine in liquid form, measure each dose carefully.

Try to give this medication at the same time each day.

DO NOT give your pet more medicine than directed.

DO NOT give your pet medicine more often than prescribed.

DO NOT stop giving your pet Clomipramine unless directed by your veterinarian.

Plan ahead to ensure you have the refills you need.

Try not to miss giving any doses.

If I miss a dose, what do I do?

If you miss a dose, give it to your pet as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, then continue with the regular dosing schedule. Do not give your pet two doses at once.

How do I store Clomipramine Tablets?

Keep this medicine out of reach of children.

Store this medicine at room temperature in a dry, cool place. Keep this medicine away from heat and direct sunlight.

Do not store this medicine in damp places, in the bathroom, or near the kitchen sink. This medication can break down when exposed to moisture or heat.

What are the potential side effects of Clomipramine Tablets?

The most common side effects of this medication include drowsiness, dry mouth, and a faster heart rate. These symptoms usually decrease over time. If symptoms persist or are troublesome, contact your veterinarian.

Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian.

What about possible drug interactions?

Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any other medications you are giving to your pet.

It’s not uncommon for your veterinarian to prescribe two different medications, which may cause a drug interaction to occur. If this happens, your veterinarian may change the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.

The following drugs may interact with Clomipramine: anticholinergics, CNS depressants, anti-thyroid agents, cimetidine, sympathomimetic agents, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (selegiline or deprenyl).

Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.

Generic Clomipramine Tablets for Dogs

Why has my veterinarian prescribed Generic Clomipramine Tablets?

Your veterinarian has prescribed clomipramine to treat a behavioral problem. In dogs, it is used to treat obsessive-compulsive behavior, separation anxiety or dominance aggression. In cats, clomipramine may be used to prevent urine marking/spraying, inter-cat aggression and compulsive grooming. Clomipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant.

How do I give Generic Clomipramine Tablets?

• 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.

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 Generic Clomipramine Tablets?

• 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 noted side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth and a faster heart rate. These symptoms generally decrease over time.
• If these symptoms persist or are troublesome, contact your veterinarian.
• 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, and sometimes a drug interaction may be anticipated. In this case, your veterinarian may vary the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
• The following drugs can potentially interact with clomipramine: anticholinergics, CNS depressants, anti-thyroid agents, cimetidine, sympathomimetic agents, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (selegiline or deprenyl).
• Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.

REMEMBER!  READ THE LABEL.

Clomipramine (Generic) Tablets for Seperation Anxiety in Dogs (Rx)

Trade Names:

Anafranil®

Clomicalm® Tablets

Generic Clomipramine Tablets

General Description:

What are Generic Clomipramine Tablets?

• A tricyclic antidepressant.
• Given by mouth.

Reason for prescribing

• To reduce the signs of separation anxiety in dogs older than 6 months
• To alleviate inappropriate barking or destructive behavior, obsessive compulsive disorders (ex. compulsive grooming, wool-sucking), dominance aggression as well as inappropriate elimination (urination or defecation)
• Most often used in dogs, but may be used with caution in cats. Since a convenient dosage form is not available commercially for cats, it is often compounded at a special pharmacy.

What dogs/cats should not take Generic Clomipramine Tablets?

• Dogs with known hypersensitivity to clomipramine or other tricyclic antidepressants (ex. amitriptyline).
• Male breeding dogs, nursing mothers
• Working dogs, as they may become too sedated to perform their duties
• Use with caution in pets with a history of seizures, liver disease, cardiac disorders, glaucoma, thyroid disorders, urinary retention or reduced gastrointestinal function

Directions:

May be administered as a single daily dose or divided twice daily. Divided doses may minimize side effects and will allow patients to adapt.

To reduce the incidence of vomiting, give with a small amount of food.

Avoid feeding cheese while pet is on Clomipramine.

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

Give the exact amount prescribed and only as often as directed.

Give this medication for as long as your veterinarian directs. Call ahead for refills.

Ideally, give the medication at the same time daily.

What if dose is missed?

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.

What results should I expect?

• Should be used as part of a comprehensive behavioral management program
• Once desired response has been achieved, the dose may be tapered and/or discontinued as appropriate behavior has been learned

What to tell/ask veterinarian before giving Generic Clomipramine Tablets?

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 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

Storage and Warnings:

Store in a tight, light resistant, childproof container 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. Accidental ingestion can be considered serious. Call your physician immediately if you accidentally take this product.

Potential side effects:

• Lethargy, depression, increase or decrease in appetite, weight gain, vomiting, diarrhea, heart irregularities, tremors, elevation in liver enzymes
• Increased drinking, dry mouth (frequent licking of lips), retention of urine and/or difficulty passing urine
• Increased eye pressure (glaucoma)
• May alter blood glucose levels
• Cats are more sensitive than dogs to tricyclic antidepressant drugs
• If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian

Can Generic Clomipramine Tablets be given with other drugs?

• Incompatible with monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Do not give in combination, or within
• 14 days before or after treatment with these products: Anipryl®, isoniazid, Mitaban®, Preventic®, and ProMerisâ„¢ for dogs.
• Use cautiously with antithyroid products, anticholergics, barbiturates, cimetidine, CNS depressants, fluoxetine, phenytoin or sympathomimetic products
• Should not be given at the same time as drugs which lower the seizure threshold

Overdosing?

An overdose situation can be life-threatening. The following signs have been reported: incoordination, heart irregularities, vocalization, seizure, collapse. Contact your veterinarian immediately if pet eats more than the prescribed amount.

What else should I know?

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

As with all prescribed medicines, clomipramine 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 clomipramine at regular check ups. Your veterinarian will best determine if your pet is responding as expected and if your pet should continue receiving clomipramine.