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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications3
Adjunct therapy of psychogenic dermatoses (acral lick, tail-chasing alopecia — with anxiety component); pruritus with behavioral driver
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Adjunct therapy of psychogenic dermatoses (acral lick, tail-chasing alopecia — with anxiety component); pruritus with behavioral driver — Extra-label (human drug)
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Adjunct therapy of psychogenic dermatoses (acral lick, tail-chasing alopecia — with anxiety component); pruritus with behavioral driver — Extra-label (human drug)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Antihistamine efficacy for atopic dermatitis is questionable
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Indications table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Antihistamine efficacy for atopic dermatitis is questionable — —
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Indications table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens4
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects108
Hyperexcitability, GI distress, lethargy — Most likely
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Ventricular arrhythmias — Overdose — TCA cardiotoxicity
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Urinary retention, glaucoma exacerbation — Anticholinergic
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Urine retention
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Table 1 (p.630), row: Doxepin, Adverse Effects column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
- Cat · Table 1 (p.630), row: Doxepin, Adverse Effects column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Emesis7 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)6 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')5 reports
- Anorexia4 reports
- Death by euthanasia4 reports
- Diarrhoea4 reports
- Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP)4 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS4 reports
- Weight loss4 reports
- Elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST)3 reports
- Emesis (multiple)3 reports
- INEFFECTIVE, LOSS OF EFFECT3 reports
Cat
- Diarrhoea1 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')1 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS1 reports
Monitoring1
Behavioral + dermatologic response; sedation/excitement; cardiac signs in overdose (ECG if ingested)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications3
TCA sensitivity; MAOIs (selegiline?); urinary retention or glaucoma (probably)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
MAOIs
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Table 1 (p.630), row: Doxepin, Contraindications column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
- Cat · Table 1 (p.630), row: Doxepin, Contraindications column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
Precautions4
Seizure disorders, cardiac disease, hyperthyroidism (TCA cautions)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
The itchy-anxious patient's two-in-one: doxepin treats the anxiety-driven lick cycle AND carries H1 blockade — rationale for psychogenic dermatoses where hydroxyzine alone fails.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
TCA overdose = arrhythmia emergency (sodium bicarbonate is the human antidote approach).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Perrin note: urine retention is the TCA class adverse to watch (shared with amitriptyline/clomipramine).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions3
MAOIs — Serotonin syndrome/contraindicated
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Anticholinergics, antihistamines — Additive
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Antiarrhythmics/QT-prolongers — Additive conduction risk
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics2
Mechanism — TCA (serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibition) + H1 antihistamine activity — the dual identity
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Class risks — Anticholinergic, cardiac conduction effects (QT/arrhythmias in overdose)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Avoid (class).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 443–444; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Drug dosage chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629–632 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references14
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Doxepin Exacerbates Renal Damage, Glucose Intolerance, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and Urinary Chromium Loss in Obese Mice.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Can human allergy drug fexofenadine, an antagonist of histamine (H(1)) receptor, be used to treat dog and cat? Homology modeling, docking and molecular dynamic Simulation of three H(1) receptors in complex with fexofenadine.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Equine atopic skin disease and response to allergen-specific immunotherapy: a retrospective study at the University of California-Davis (1991-2008).
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Elimination of doxepin isomers from the horse following intravenous application.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Stereoselective in vivo and in vitro studies on the metabolism of doxepin and N-desmethyldoxepin.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Appendix: Drug Dosage Chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629-632.; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.