Ultimate Guide to Fluoxetine
Meet Pet Anxiety Medication: Fluoxetine!
Fluoxetine is a veterinarian-recommended, FDA-approved, and “extra-label” antidepressant, like Prozac and Xanax, that treats mental illnesses and behaviors in dogs and cats. Fluoxetine is a daily, oral tablet, or capsule. Fluoxetine ensures that your pet will be in the best condition that it can be.
How does Fluoxetine for cats and dogs work?
Fluoxetine is an antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication that is the generic version of the brands Prozac, Xanax, and Reconcile. Mental illnesses and negative behaviors that these medicines are recommended to treat include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), separation anxiety, aggressive behavior, depression, and panic disorders.
Fluoxetine Hydrochloride is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibition (SSRI) that inhibits the reabsorption of serotonin, called the “happy chemical” or the “feel-good hormone”. Serotonin is a major neurotransmitter in the brain that improves the pet 's mood and changes the chemical messages that the brain receives.
How is Fluoxetine for dogs and cats administered?
Fluoxetine is administered orally once a day in a typical dosage of 0.5 to 0.9 mg per pound. For example, a 30-pound dog might take 15 to 27 mg per day. The veterinarian prescribes the Fluoxetine dosage that the pet will take daily. Fluoxetine can take four to six weeks to have a real effect.
What are the precautions of which you and your veterinarian should be aware?
Fluoxetine for cats and dogs should not be administered to pets with hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to the drug, or those pets that have a history of seizures.
Inform your veterinarian before using Fluoxetine and other similar veterinary products. Various medications have negative interactions with Fluoxetine, such as some pain medications, anti-inflammatories, and other anti-depressants. Also, over-the-counter medications and some herbal supplements might not combine well with Fluoxetine.
What are Fluoxetine side effects of which you should be aware?
If any of the following occur, contact your veterinarian immediately:
Serious side effects are seizures, tremors, shivering, twitching, muscle stiffness, coordination problems, agitation, confusion, sweating, and a fast heartbeat. Less serious side effects are dizziness, lethargy, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, changes in appetite, weight changes, and dry mouth.
Seek emergency care if you observe severe allergic reactions, such as a skin rash, swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing. Contact your veterinarian if symptoms worsen or behavior is negatively impacted.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What do the Fluoxetine reviews say?
Fluoxetine reviews rate 5 out of 5 stars. Most reviewers say that Fluoxetine, as the generic for Prozac, is a superb, effective product that changes their anxiety-ridden pet to a wonderful companion. One Fluoxetine review said that the product “saved [their] happy home”.
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Is there a difference between Fluoxetine for cats vs. Fluoxetine for dogs?
Behavioral issues and Fluoxetine therapies may be used differently between cats and dogs. Fluoxetine for cats tends to be in therapies to aid some forms of anxiety that form into aggressive behaviors, OCD, and hyperactivity. Fluoxetine for dogs tends to treat OCD, separation anxiety, and some forms of aggression.
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What is the typical Fluoxetine dosage?
The typical Fluoxetine dosage is 0.5 to 0.9 mg per pound. For example, a 20-pound pet would take 10 to 18 mg. Fluoxetine 40 mg, 20 mg, and 10 mg capsules are available.
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Which Fluoxetine tablets are available?
Fluoxetine tablets come in 10 mg and 20 mg.
Concluding Thoughts
The most important thing that you should know about Fluoxetine is its powerful ability to heal mental illnesses and behaviors in pets (e.g., OCD, depression, or anxiety) and to save your happy home!
DISCLAIMER: FDA law restricts Fluoxetine to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian for the best pet health care advice. Ask your veterinarian or consult with one of our pet care specialists at 1-800-844-1427. This informative article does not substitute for the diagnosis, treatment, and professional advice from your veterinarian or other qualified professionals regarding a medical condition.
Fluxoetine is the Generic Alternative to Prozac.