Medication: Clomipramine

Your cat has been prescribed Clomipramine for the treatment of a behavioral problem. This medication may be used to treat obsessive issues (such as tail chasing, fly biting, flank sucking and over grooming), separation anxiety, destructive behaviors and inappropriate urinating and/or defecating.

Key points:
• A tricyclic antidepressant drug used as an aid to the treatment of behavioral issues in cats.
• Must be used in conjunction with behavioral modification techniques.
• Dosage: once daily.
• Give with or without food.
• Do not use in male breeding cats.
• Use cautiously in cats being treated for epilepsy.

This information sheet is designed to help answer commonly asked questions and help you give the medication safely and effectively to your pet. It does not contain all available information for this medication. If you have other questions or need more information, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.Always follow the dosing instructions provided by your veterinarian.

Name

• Clomipramine (klom-ih-pra-meen).

Brand name

• Clomicalm Tablets (UK, US).

Class of medication

• Tricyclic antidepressant.

Storage

• Store at room temperature.

Your veterinarian has prescribed clomipramine for the treatment of a behavioral problem, usually inappropriate urine marking by cats. This medication may be used to treat problems such as obsessive problems (tail chasing, fly biting, flank sucking, over grooming), separation anxiety, destructive behaviors and inappropriate urinating and/or defecating. This drug should be combined with behavior modifying techniques in order to improve the behavior.

Clomipramine is given orally (as tablets). It is administered once daily with or without food. It should be used in conjunction with behavior modifying techniques.

The most commonly reported side effects are vomiting, diarrhea, inappetence, and dry mouth.

Very rarely, clomipramine may cause lethargy or temporarily affect liver function. Liver disease has been reported, especially in cats with pre-existing liver conditions. Vomiting may be reduced by co-administration of clomipramine with a small quantity of food.

Very rarely, hypersensitivity reactions (allergic reactions) may occur. If this happens, stop the treatment and contact your veterinarian immediately.

Your pet may be able to continue with the drug, if side effects are mild, but it’s best to let your veterinarian know as soon as possible, so that they can decide whether additional medications or different medications are required.

Recommendations on the interaction between clomipramine and other medications are derived from studies in species other than cats. Tell your veterinary surgeon what drugs and supplements your cat is receiving before you begin giving clomipramine.

• Clomipramine may worsen the effects of drugs such as the heart drug quinidine, a drug called atropine, anesthetic and sedative drugs and adrenaline so this drug should be used cautiously in patients on these treatments.
• The administration of clomipramine is not recommended in combination with, or within 2 weeks of therapy with, monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
• Simultaneous administration with the antibiotic cimetidine may lead to increased plasma levels of clomipramine.
• Plasma levels of certain anti-epileptic drugs, such as phenytoin and carbamazepine, may be increased by co-administration with Clomipramine, so this drug should be used cautiously in epileptic patients.

Clomipramine tablets should be administered according to your veterinarian’s instructions and in conjunction with behavior modification techniques. The treatment course usually extends for 2 to 3 months. If no improvement is seen after 2 months, then dose may need to be adjusted or the treatment stopped. When stopping treatment, this should be done gradually, and the animal weaned off of the drug.

Dispose of any unused clomipramine safely – do not flush down the toilet or sink. Ask your veterinary team if they take back medication for disposal. Do not save clomipramine for future use or give to other pets.

If you miss a dose, give the dose as soon as possible but do not give a double dose. Make sure the dose given does not exceed the total recommended dose in any 24-hour period.

If your pet is unwell, contact your veterinarian for advice.

Clomipramine should only be given to the cat that it has been prescribed for. If accidentally given to other pets, contact your veterinarian for advice.

If accidentally consumed by a human, speak to your primary care physician or poison control center.

No specific tests are required while your cat is taking clomipramine but animals with pre-existing liver problems may require blood tests to monitor their liver parameters. If your cat is on medications for epilepsy your pet may require additional blood tests to monitor levels of epilepsy drugs in the blood as clomipramine may interfere with those drugs.

Further information

If you have any concerns, further information on clomipramine can be found on the package insert and the following websites:

Europe & UK

• Virbac Ltd Clomicalm Tablets for Dogs. Website: www.noahcompendium.co.uk/?id=-480420

US

• Virbac AH Clomicalm Tablets. Website: animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/views/#/home/previewsearch/141-120
• Mizner Bioscience, LLC Clomipramine Hydrochloride Tablets. Website: animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/views/#/home/previewsearch/200-635

Always follow the recommended dosage and contact your veterinary team or pharmacist if you have any questions regarding your cat’s medication.