Entirely Pets

Generic Name: Fluoxetine
Generic products are available.
Common Brand Names: Prozac

Storage:
Store at room temperature in a tight, light resistant, childproof container.

Uses:
Fluoxetine is used to treat behavior problems including obsessive compulsive behavior such as constant licking in dogs and cats, and feather picking in birds. It is also used to treat aggression.
It may take 1-4 weeks before you see an effect.

Dose and Administration:
Always follow the dosage instructions provided by your veterinarian.
Fluoxetine may be given with food to help prevent stomach upset.
If using the transdermal gel, apply to the skin as directed by your veterinarian.
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 and go back to the regular schedule. Do not give 2 doses at once.
If you have difficulty giving the medication, contact your veterinarian.
Do not suddenly stop giving the medication. Your veterinarian will need to advise you on how to slowly reduce the dose.
This medication should only be given to the pet for whom it was prescribed.

Possible Side Effects:
The most common side effect is loss of appetite, which is usually temporary. Try feeding your pet by hand, offering more flavorful foods, or, for dogs and cats, slightly warming canned foods. If your pet is on a special diet because of a medical condition, consult your veterinarian before changing or adding other foods. Also consult your veterinarian if your pet’s appetite does not return.
May also see stomach upset, tiredness, anxiety, restlessness, panting, and irritability. Consult your veterinarian if you notice any of the above side effects.
Side effects involving the liver include jaundice (yellowing of the gums, skin, or eyes) and vomiting. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of these side effects.
Even though fluoxetine may be used to treat aggression, it may actually cause aggression in some dogs. If this occurs, contact your veterinarian immediately.
If your pet experiences an allergic reaction to the medication, signs may include facial swelling, hives, scratching, sudden onset of diarrhea, vomiting, shock, seizures, pale gums, cold limbs, or coma. If you observe any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Precautions:
Not for use in animals hypersensitive (allergic) to fluoxetine.
The safety of using fluoxetine in pregnant animals has not been determined. Do not use in lactating animals (female animals nursing their young), since the drug enters the breast milk.
Use with caution in animals with liver disease and those who have had seizures.
Use with caution in diabetic animals since fluoxetine may alter the level of sugar in the blood.
Consult with your veterinarian regarding the laboratory testing necessary prior to and during treatment with fluoxetine.

Drug and Food Interactions:
Notify your veterinarian of any other medications, including vitamins and supplements, your pet is taking while your pet is receiving fluoxetine.
Do not use with ephedrine or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as isoniazid, selegiline (deprenyl, Anipryl) or amitraz (an ingredient in some tick collars, and in Mitaban, a treatment for mange). These products need to be discontinued for 2-5 weeks before fluoxetine can be safely given. Consult your veterinarian before using other medications or tick collars along with fluoxetine.

May cause changes in the effectiveness of warfarin (a “blood thinner”), phenylbutazone, and digoxin.

May increase the effects of diazepam (Valium), buspirone, clomipramine (Clomicalm) and other tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline.

Do not feed aged cheese to an animal taking fluoxetine. It may cause severely high blood pressure, and even death.

Signs of Toxicity/Overdose:
May see seizures or liver disease with jaundice or vomiting, as described above.

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

Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children and pets.

Source: Doctors Foster & Smith Pharmacy, Call: 1-800-447-302.

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