ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/doxepin
US brand names:Sinequan
Doxepin is dosed at 0.5–5 mg/kg PO q12h in african grey parrots, per 952. van Zeeland Y. Medication for behavior modification in birds. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2018;21(1):115-149. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.472 doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2017.08.005 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.10 (Psychotropic and Antiepileptic Agents Used in Birds.a,b). 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.
Inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Also has potent antihistaminic (H1 and H2) and anticholinergic activity.
Used for anxiety, pruritus (potent antihistamine), and allergic dermatitis. Sedation common. Anticholinergic effects. Cardiac conduction effects — avoid with heart disease.
Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (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 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 3–5 mg/kg | q12h | Moderate | Koch S, Torres S, Plumb DC. Small Animal Dermatology Drug Handbook. Ames, IA: Wiley-Blackwell; 2012.; Martin KM. Psychopharmacology - Which Drug and Why? Paper presented at: Wild West Veterinary Conference 2015. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.457 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.429, Doxepin monograph; 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; Zoo Animal and Wildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia — ISBN 9780813811833, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780813811833; Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology — ISBN 9781416000280, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781416000280 — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (held), Doxepin monograph, printed p.430 (corpus PDF p.457), DOGS: "Psychogenic dermatoses (extra-label): 3 - 5 mg/kg (maximum dose 50 mg/dog [NOT mg/kg]) PO every 12 hours."; descriptors from printed p.429, Uses/Indications. [INDICATION NARROWED 2026-08-12, two readers — the printed starting range for the atopic pruritus use is 0.5-1 mg/kg PO q12h.] — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (held), Doxepin monograph, printed p.430 (corpus PDF p.457), DOGS: "Psychogenic dermatoses (extra-label): 3 - 5 mg/kg (maximum dose 50 mg/dog [NOT mg/kg]) PO every 12 hours." [PER-ANIMAL CEILING ADDED 2026-08-12, two readers.] — CEILING: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, printed p.430 (corpus p.457) — "Psychogenic dermatoses (extra-label): 3 - 5 mg/kg (maximum dose 50 mg/dog [NOT mg/kg]) PO every 12 hours." |
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| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q12h | Weak | Olivry T, Saridomichelakis M, International Committee on Atopic Diseases of A. Evidence-based guidelines for anti-allergic drug withdrawal times before allergen-specific intradermal and IgE serological tests in dogs. Vet Dermatol. 2013;24(2):225-e249. doi:10.1111/vde.12016 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.457 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.429, Doxepin monograph; 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 |