ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/chlorpheniramine
US brand names:Chlor-Trimeton
Chlorpheniramine is dosed at 1–2 mg/kg PO q8-12h in ferrets, per Johnson-Delaney CA. Formulary Ferret Medicine and Surgery, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL; 2017:457-467. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.954 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Ferrets.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Competitive H1 receptor antagonist. Blocks histamine-mediated allergic responses. Also has mild anticholinergic and sedative properties.
Most commonly used antihistamine in cats. Mild sedation. Ensure product does not contain decongestants. Limited efficacy for pruritus but safe and well-tolerated.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Ferret drugsAll Guinea Pig drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 5 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 1–2 mg per cat | q12h | Moderate | Scott DW, Miller WH. The combination of an antihistamine (chlorpheniramine) and an omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid-containing product for the management of pruritic cats - results of an open clinical-trial. N Z Vet J. 1995;43:29-31. doi:10.1080/00480169.1995.35839; Miller W. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents in the management of canine and feline pruritus. In: Bonagura JD, ed. Current Veterinary Therapy X, Small Animal Practice. 10th ed. WB Saunders; 1989:566-569. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.279 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.251, Chlorpheniramine monograph spanning p.251-252; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | q8-12h |
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| Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.279 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.251, Chlorpheniramine monograph spanning p.251-252; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |