Doxepin Capsules, 25mg

Low-Dose Behavioral and Antihistamine Capsules for Small Pets

Product Description

Doxepin HCl 25mg Capsules are a prescription tricyclic antidepressant with antihistamine properties used off-label by vets for dogs and cats. It raises central dopamine and serotonin availability while blocking peripheral histamine receptors, tackling both behavioral instability and allergic skin disease together. The 25mg strength suits cats and smaller dogs needing lower, accurate weight-based doses for anxiety, depression, compulsive disorders, noise phobias, or pruritic skin conditions.

Benefits

• Small Pet Dose Accuracy: The 25mg strength keeps dosing precise for cats and small dogs where larger capsule sizes would overshoot the target amount.
• Noise Phobia and Anxiety: Helps bring down fear responses, noise-triggered anxiety, and general behavioral anxiety in both dogs and cats.
• Potent Antihistamine Action: One of the most effective H1 antihistamines available, providing stronger allergy-driven itch relief than many standard over-the-counter antihistamines.
• Psychogenic Alopecia Treatment: Addresses anxiety-driven hair loss and overgrooming in cats through combined central behavioral and skin-level histamine control.
• Well-Established Safety Record: Widely used in veterinary practice with a well-characterized safety and tolerability profile across both dogs and cats.

Ingredients

Active Ingredients

Doxepin Hydrochloride

How to Use

Doxepin HCl 25mg Capsules are a prescription-only medication. A valid veterinarian prescription is required to purchase this product.

Please follow your veterinarian's specific instructions for the dosage and administration of this medication for your pet.

Disclaimer: Dosage and administration of this medication must be determined by a licensed veterinarian. Always consult your veterinarian before administering or adjusting any prescription medication for your pet.

Hiding the capsule inside a soft pill pocket or pill wrap treat is the most reliable way to ensure your pet receives their full dose without stress. This medication may be given with or without food, but always offer it with a small meal if your pet experiences any stomach upset when given on an empty stomach. Make sure your pet always has fresh water nearby while taking this medication.

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Additional Information

Precautions

• Avoid With MAOIs: Keep away from pets that received selegiline or amitraz in the past 14 days as a dangerous drug interaction can follow.
• No Amitraz Flea Collars: Amitraz flea and tick collars must never be used during doxepin treatment as they carry a serious toxic interaction risk.
• Avoid Tyramine-Rich Foods: Aged cheeses and all high-tyramine foods must stay completely off the menu for the full duration of treatment.
• Avoid in Glaucoma: Do not give to pets with glaucoma or urinary retention as doxepin can make both of these conditions significantly worse.
• Caution in Seizures: Use very carefully in any pet with prior seizure history as doxepin can lower the threshold at which seizures occur.
• Caution in Hyperthyroidism: Avoid in hyperthyroid pets as doxepin may react badly with elevated thyroid hormone levels and lead to toxicity.
• Drug Interaction Risk: Inform your veterinarian if your pet currently takes cimetidine, fluoxetine, estrogens, sedatives, enalapril, verapamil, or ranitidine.

Possible Side Effects

• Sedation and Fatigue: Sleepiness tends to ease as the pet settles in; it is the most commonly reported reaction during doxepin treatment.
• Dry Mouth and Constipation: Reduced salivation and slowed gut motility are common anticholinergic effects that may be observed during treatment.
• Blue-Green Urine: Urine may turn blue-green in some pets on doxepin; this is a harmless metabolic effect that clears once treatment stops.
• Excitability and GI Disturbance: Some pets get unusually wound up or have stomach issues like vomiting when first starting out on doxepin.
• Serious Cardiac Effects: Overdosing can trigger dangerous heart rhythm problems that need emergency veterinary attention as soon as they appear.

Storage Information

• Room Temperature Storage: Keep capsules in a sealed container at a steady temperature between 68°F and 77°F, well away from heat and moisture.
• Protect From Light: Sunlight and damp spots can break down the capsules over time, so keep them somewhere cool, dark, and dry.
• Keep Out of Reach: Put this medication somewhere children and untreated pets cannot get to it on their own.

Note: For generic medications, the product image shown may not reflect the actual item received. Generic medications can vary in size, color, and shape between orders depending on the manufacturer. Additionally, your medication may arrive packaged in a HardyPaw Pharmacy vial.

Shipping & Return

We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy.

Prescription items are NON-RETURNABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is doxepin 25mg suitable for use in cats with behavioral disorders?

Ans: The 25mg capsule is one of the most commonly prescribed sizes for cats since it lines up well with the lower doses feline patients typically need. Cats process tricyclic antidepressants differently from dogs, so the vet sets the exact amount, timing, and length of treatment based on each individual cat's weight and condition.

Q2: Can doxepin 25mg be used alongside other antihistamines for cats with allergies?

Ans: Doxepin can work alongside other antihistamines to boost allergy control, but stacking sedating medications raises the risk of the pet becoming overly drowsy. Always let the vet know every product the pet is currently on before adding doxepin to an existing allergy management plan.

Q3: How should doxepin be used when treating allergies compared to behavioral conditions?

Ans: For allergy-related itching, giving it on a regular schedule before allergen exposure works better than waiting until the scratching starts. For behavioral issues, it can take days to weeks before noticeable improvement shows up. The vet sets the best timing approach based on what the pet is primarily being treated for.

Q4: Can doxepin cause blood pressure changes in small pets?

Ans: Yes, doxepin can push blood pressure both up and down. Low blood pressure may cause weakness or fainting, while an elevated heart rate or high blood pressure can also occur, particularly in small pets. These effects are most common in overdose but can show up at normal doses too, so flag any cardiovascular changes to the vet promptly.

Q5: What should I tell my veterinarian before starting doxepin 25mg in my pet?

Ans: Let the vet know about every medication, supplement, and flea or tick product the pet currently uses, along with any history of glaucoma, urinary problems, seizures, heart disease, or thyroid conditions. Also mention if the pet regularly eats aged cheese or other high-tyramine foods, as these need to be cut out completely during treatment.