Elavil

Uses

Amitriptyline is used in behavior modification in dogs and cats.
As treatment of separation anxiety in dogs and excessive grooming, inappropriate urination (urine spraying) and anxiety in cats.

How To Use

Give the tablet with food to decrease
the risk of side effects such as vomiting.
Amitriptyline, tablet form is very bitter,
and it may be difficult to give in pill form.

Side Effects

Dogs: May see an increase in excitability
or sedation; lack of appetite, vomiting,
constipation, diarrhea, abnormal heart
rhythms, which may cause weakness or
a collapse, bone marrow suppression with
anemia, causing weakness & pale gums,
or low platelets, causing an increased
tendency to bruise or bleed.

Cats: May see drooling, sedation, urinary
retention, loss of appetite, vomiting,
constipation, unkempt haircoat,
incoordination, disorientation, abnormal
heart rhythms, which may cause weakness or cause them to collapse or low platelets, causing an increased tendency to bruise or bleed.

If you observe any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Overdose

Can be very toxic, in overdoses, to humans & pets. Large overdoses can cause death.
May see sedation; abnormal heart rhythms & low blood pressure, which may cause weakness or collapse; seizures; or coma. Contact your veterinarian if your pet shows
any of these signs.

Storage

Store at room temperature. Protect
injectable form from light and freezing. Refrigerate oral suspension.

Interaction

Amitriptyline should not be used in animals with known allergy to the drug.

Notify your veterinarian of any other
medication and or suppements your pet is taking while your pet is receiving amitriptyline.

Do not use with ephedrine or monoamine
oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as
selegiline (Deprenyl, Anipryl) or amitraz
(an ingredient in some tick collars, & in
Mitaban, a treatment for mange).
Consult your veterinarian before using other medications or tick collars along with amitriptyline.

Do not use with anticholinergic
medications (Atropine), central nervous
system (CNS) depressants, or
sympathomimetic agents like phenylpropanolamine
(Proin, Cystolamine).

Do not use with methimazole, or other
antithyroid drugs, as both increase the risk of bone marrow suppression.

Cimetidine may increase the risk of
amitriptyline toxicity and may alter blood glucose levels.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, give it as soon as you
remember & if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the one you missed & go back to the regular schedule. Do not give 2 doses at once.

Precaution

Consult with your veterinarian regarding
the physical examinations (including an
EKG) & laboratory testing necessary
prior to & during treatment with
amitriptyline.

Use with extreme caution in animals with
seizure disorders/epilepsy, diabetes
mellitus, liver disease, or heart disease.

Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals (female animals nursing their young).

Notes

Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals (female animals nursing their young).