Commonly prescribed for: Behavior Disorders
Species: Dogs and Cats
Therapeutic Class: Tricyclic antidepressant
Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant drug (TCA). TCA drugs have their largest effects on serotonin receptors, norepinephrine receptors, some adrenergic receptors, and some histamine receptors. Amitriptyline is a relatively nonspecific TCA. It has antihistaminic, anticholinergic, anti-alpha-adrenergic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and sedative actions.
Some of the other TCA drugs have greater activity on serotonin receptors. Based on studies in laboratory animals, amitriptyline does not affect either memory or learning ability. The active metabolite of amitriptyline is nortriptyline. Nortriptyline is an option for some animals that experience too much sedation with the parent compound.
Cats: Amitriptyline is commonly used for cats that spray or exhibit inappropriate elimination behaviors. It is used for either the victim or the aggressor for nonspecific anxiety due to social hierarchy. It is also used in the treatment of idiopathic feline urinary tract disease although this use is somewhat controversial due to the lack of controlled studies.
There are some issues with palatability in the cat, particularly for those animals on long term treatment. Transdermal patches are available and may be useful when oral medication is not possible or practical. It should be noted that in at least one study, the plasma levels of amitriptyline were undetectable with transdermal applications.
Dogs: Amitriptyline is used for the treatment of separation anxiety, pruritus, and neuropathic pain. Clomipramine is more commonly used for the treatment of separation anxiety and stereotypic behaviors because it has a higher specificity for serotonin receptors and is FDA approved for this use. Amitriptyline has sufficient anti-histamine properties to be used as an adjunctive treatment for pruritic dogs. There are also citations in the literature of use in dogs with osteoarthritis.
Remember to tell your veterinarian about any medications, vitamins, supplements, or herbal therapies that you are giving your pet.
There are a number of serious potential drug interactions.
Wedgewood provides medication options that help ensure accurate dosing, especially for hard to medicate pets. Click below for a complete list of Wedgewood’s dosing forms and strengths.
DOSAGE FORM | BENEFITS | STRENGTHS |
---|---|---|
Twist-a-Dose | Transdermal applicator that gives easy & accurate dosing every time. | 1 mg/0.05ml to 12 mg/0.05ml |
EZ Dose Micro | Transdermal applicator designed for easy handling and accurate dosing. | 1.25 mg/0.05ml to 12 mg/0.05ml |
Tiny Tabs | Compressed oral tablets that are smaller than a Tic-Tac® | 5mg |
View all Amitriptyline options