ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/doxepin
US brand names:Sinequan
Doxepin is dosed at 3–5 mg/kg PO q12h in dogs, per 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).. 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 Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs
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A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 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). |
| 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). |
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