Fluoxetine (Generic) Tablets for Behavioral Disorders in Dogs and Cats

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Why has my veterinarian prescribed Fluoxetine Tablets?

Fluoxetine HCl is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant.

 Fluoxetine is prescribed to treat a range of behavioral disorders in dogs and cats.  This medicine may be used to correct aggressive behavior, thunderstorm phobias, and excessive licking and hair pulling. 

How do I give Fluoxetine Tablets?

First, READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY.

Give Fluoxetine to your pet as directed by your veterinarian.

Try to give this medicine at about the same time each day.

This medicine can be given with or without food. Giving it with food may prevent stomach upset.

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 Fluoxetine unless directed by your veterinarian. Plan ahead to ensure you have the refills you need. Your pet will need to be weaned off Fluoxetine by gradually decreasing the dose over time.

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 Fluoxetine 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 Fluoxetine Tablets?

Noted side effects include drowsiness, decreased appetite, stomach upset, anxiety, trouble sleeping, hyperactivity, panting, and irritability. If these symptoms continue, contact your veterinarian.

The most common side effect of this medicine is decreased appetite, which usually resolves on its own. If your pet persistently doesn't eat, contact your veterinarian.

Notify your veterinarian if any symptoms are troublesome and continue.

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 or supplements you are giving 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.

Fluoxetine may interact with the following drugs:  warfarin, phenylbutazone, digitoxin, diazepam, haloperidol, lithium, l-tryptophan, tricyclic antidepressants, buspirone, thioridazine, perphenazine, cimetidine, propafenone, flecainide, encainide, monoamine oxidase inhibitors - i.e. selegiline, l-deprenyl, isoniazid, Mitaban dip.

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

Fluoxetine hydrochloride (Rx)

Trade Names:

Prozac®

Reconcile®

General Description:

Fluoxetine is an SSRI antidepressant useful in treating separation anxiety, inappropriate urination and many other behavioral issues in dogs and cats. Best results are achieved with most behavior drugs by simultaneous use of behavior modification training. Fluoxetine is available as tablets, chewable tablets, capsules and as an oral liquid.

What is this drug?

• Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant
• Fluoxetine is given by mouth

Reasons for prescribing:

• To reduce separation anxiety and increase receptivity to training techniques that create positive behavior
• To treat inappropriate urine marking in dogs and cats
• To treat aggression, thunderstorm phobias plus various obsessive compulsive behaviors such as chewing, circling and self-mutilation

What dogs/cats should not take this medication?

• Dogs less than 6 months or weighing less than 8.8 lbs
• Pets also receiving drugs known as MAO inhibitors
• Use with caution in diabetics and those with liver or kidney disease
• Pets with a history of seizures
• Breeding, pregnant or nursing animals
• Pets known to have had an allergic reaction to fluoxetine or other SSRIs
• If your pet is presently taking like products (unless directed by your veterinarian)

Directions:

Fluoxetine will be administered in conjunction with a positive behavior modification program. It is essential to follow the training plan as well as administer the medication, to achieve therapy success.

Give this medication with or without food, although giving with food may lessen any stomach upset.

Give medication as directed by your veterinarian. This medication is usually given once a day for several weeks.

Give the exact amount prescribed and only as often as directed. Occasionally, your veterinarian may change the dose to achieve the best results.

Ideally, give the medication at the same time daily.

Do not give your dog aged cheese while on fluoxetine.

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

Do not abruptly discontinue this drug. It will be necessary to slowly taper the dose over time to reduce unpleasant side effects and ensure your pet's behavior does not return.

Baseline and periodic blood testing may be necessary to assess the pet's health and response to fluoxetine.

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 to tell/ask veterinarian before giving medication?

Talk to your veterinarian about:

• 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 away from heat and direct sunlight. Do not remove the desiccant, if included.

Keep this and all medication out of reach of children and pets. Call your physician immediately if you accidentally take this product.

Pet owners allergic to fluoxetine and/or other SSRIs should use caution when handling this drug.

Potential side effects:

• Commonly, dogs lose their appetite, and subsequently lose weight. Tempt your dog with better tasting foods or hand feed until this side effect wears off. Report continued lack of appetite to your veterinarian.
• Lethargy, drowsiness
• Vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, restlessness, panting, irritability, excessive vocalization
• Some dogs lose their inhibitions while medicated and become aggressive
• Low chance of seizures
• Liver disease has been reported. Monitor your pet for fatigue, lack of appetite as well as yellowing of the gums, skin, or the whites of the eyes. Your veterinarian may want to perform liver function blood tests.
• If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian

Can this drug be given with other drugs?

• Yes, but possible interactions may occur with buspirone, cimetidine, diazepam, digoxin, encainide, flecainide, haloperidol, lithium, l-tryptophan, metoclopramide, perphenazine, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, propafenone, thioridazine, tricyclic antidepressants (ex. amitriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine) and warfarin.
• Fluoxetine should not be used within 14 days of administering MAOIs (ex. amitraz, deprenyl, isoniazid, selegiline)
• Fluoxetine should not be given with drugs that could increase the likelihood of seizures (ex. acepromazine, chlorpromazine)
• If your pet experiences any unusual reactions when taking multiple medications, contact your veterinarian

Overdosing?

Contact your veterinarian immediately if pet consumes more than the prescribed amount.

What else should I know?

Notify your veterinarian if your animal's condition does not improve or worsens despite this treatment.

As with all prescribed medicines, fluoxetine 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.

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