Amitraz

What is this medication for?

• Generalized demodicosis (dips — Mitaban label); flea/tick prevention (spot-on/collar); sarcoptic mange
• Not safe (CNS sensitivity)

How is it given?

Give exactly as your veterinarian prescribed — never change the dose or stop on your own unless your veterinarian has told you to.

• The dip rules ARE the prescription: air-dry (no rinse/towel), fresh dilution, no stress 24 h, treat past 2 negative scrapes.

What if I miss a dose?

• Give it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for the next dose (then skip the missed one; never double up).
• Call your clinic if you miss more than one dose in a row.

Side effects — what should I watch for?

Effects listed as common in this handout

• Transient drowsiness (alpha2) — call vet if unarousable >72 h (Common post-dip)
• Lethargy, wobbliness/unsteadiness, unusually slow heart rate, vomiting; hypothermia (Alpha2 cascade)
• Hyperglycemia (Insulin inhibition)
• Skin reactions (Possible)
• No stress/exercise for 24 h post-dip (Label instruction)

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Any new symptom that worries you.

⚠️ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice

• Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, facial swelling, or pale gums

Before starting (or refilling), tell your veterinarian if your pet:

• has or has had: Other MAO inhibitors (selegiline, amitraz-interaction drugs) — serotonin-syndrome-class risk; diabetic patients (hyperglycemia); <4 months old; cats
• has or has had: Toy-breed CNS sensitivity; owner pregnullness/human exposure precautions (gloves/vapors)

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • MAOIs (selegiline)
  • SSRIs/TCAs (mirtazapine-era note)
  • Insulin/diabetic drugs
  • Atipamezole/yohimbine

Storage and handling

Concentrate flammable until diluted; gloves when mixing; avoid vapor inhalation; dispose diluted dip down drain; single-use collar — the handling-heaviest topical.

Good to know

• Amitraz is a drug wearing a pesticide costume: alpha2 agonism means atipamezole reverses its toxicity — the same antidote logic as dexmedetomidine. Sedation after a dip = expected alpha2 pharmacology.
• The dip rules ARE the prescription: air-dry (no rinse/towel), fresh dilution, no stress 24 h, treat past 2 negative scrapes.
• MAO-inhibitor interactions (selegiline!) make the medication-history check mandatory before dipping a dog on behavioral/Cushing's drugs.