Imipramine

Imipramine In Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Imipramine blocks noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake in the brain, resulting in anti-depressive activity.

Uses of Imipramine

• Can be used in the management of panic-related, generalized and separation anxieties, especially when these conditions are associated with urine elimination.
• It may also be used to aid control of super submissive urination and excitatory urination, narcolepsy, and may assist learning in anxious subjects.

Dose of Imipramine in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

1–2 mg/kg p.o. q12h or 2–4 mg/kg p.o. q24h.

Cats:

0.5–1 mg/kg p.o. q12–24h.

Side Effects of Imipramine in Dogs and Cats

• Sedation, dry mouth, diarrhoea, vomiting, excitability, arrhythmias, hypotension, syncope and increased appetite are reported in humans.

Contraindications of Imipramine in Dogs and Cats

• Glaucoma.
• History of seizures or urinary retention.
• Severe liver disease.
• Hypersensitivity to tricyclic antidepressants.

Some Notes:

• Should not be used with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or drugs that are metabolized by cytochrome P450 2D6 (e.g. chlorphenamine, cimetidine).
• Should not generally be used alongside other serotonergic agents given the risk of serotonin syndrome, although use alongside trazodone may be considered in exceptional cases, so long as the patient is carefully monitored for signs of serotonin syndrome.