Which species have cited Chlorpheniramine dosing data?

Chlorpheniramine dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 5 species: Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Ferret, Guinea Pig, Rabbit (Domestic).

Is Chlorpheniramine a controlled substance?

Chlorpheniramine is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Chlorpheniramine

US brand names:Chlor-Trimeton

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Chlorpheniramine is dosed at 0.2–0.4 mg/kg PO q12h in rabbits, per Harcourt-Brown F. Textbook of Rabbit Medicine, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, UK; 2002. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.876 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rabbits). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antihistamine

Routes

Indications

Allergic pruritusAllergic reactionsAntihistamineAntihistamine — sneezing/coughingeosinophilic granuloma adjunctpruritus

Mechanism of Action

Competitive H1 receptor antagonist. Blocks histamine-mediated allergic responses. Also has mild anticholinergic and sedative properties.

Side effects & warnings

Most commonly used antihistamine in cats. Mild sedation. Ensure product does not contain decongestants. Limited efficacy for pruritus but safe and well-tolerated.

Evidence levels across 5 dose rules

Moderate×3Weak×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (2 of 5 cited rules)

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. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.251, Chlorpheniramine monograph spanning p.251-252.
Dog (Domestic)	PO	0.2–0.5 mg/kg	q8-12h	Weak	Plumb's 10th ed printed p.251, Chlorpheniramine monograph spanning p.251-252.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

Backed by 5 published sourcesShow

· Adamcak A, Otten B. Rodent therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:221-237. / Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.799 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents).
· Harcourt-Brown F. Textbook of Rabbit Medicine, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, UK; 2002. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.876 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rabbits).
· 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).
· Plumb's 10th ed printed p.251, Chlorpheniramine monograph spanning p.251-252.

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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. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.251, Chlorpheniramine monograph spanning p.251-252.