Which species have cited Doxepin dosing data?

Doxepin dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 3 species: African Grey Parrot, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic).

Is Doxepin a controlled substance?

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

How does Doxepin work?

Inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Also has potent antihistaminic (H1 and H2) and anticholinergic activity.

Doxepin

US brand names:Sinequan

Calculate dosage

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

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 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.10 (Psychotropic and Antiepileptic Agents Used in Birds.a,b). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Behavioral

Routes

Indications

anxietyFeather pickingpruritusPsychogenic alopeciaPsychogenic dermatoses

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Used for anxiety, pruritus (potent antihistamine), and allergic dermatitis. Sedation common. Anticholinergic effects. Cardiac conduction effects — avoid with heart disease.

Evidence levels across 3 dose rules

Weak×1Moderate×2

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

Sample dosing (2 of 3 cited rules)

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. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.429, Doxepin monograph. — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Doxepin monograph, printed p.430, 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. — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Doxepin monograph, printed p.430, DOGS: "Psychogenic dermatoses (extra-label): 3 - 5 mg/kg (maximum dose 50 mg/dog [NOT mg/kg]) PO every 12 hours." — CEILING: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, printed p.430 — "Psychogenic dermatoses (extra-label): 3 - 5 mg/kg (maximum dose 50 mg/dog [NOT mg/kg]) PO every 12 hours."Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Cat (Domestic)	PO	0.5–1 mg/kg	q12h

Backed by 3 published sourcesShow

· 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).
· 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. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.429, Doxepin monograph. — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Doxepin monograph, printed p.430, 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. — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Doxepin monograph, printed p.430, DOGS: "Psychogenic dermatoses (extra-label): 3 - 5 mg/kg (maximum dose 50 mg/dog [NOT mg/kg]) PO every 12 hours." — CEILING: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, printed p.430 — "Psychogenic dermatoses (extra-label): 3 - 5 mg/kg (maximum dose 50 mg/dog [NOT mg/kg]) PO every 12 hours."

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· 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 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.429, Doxepin monograph.