Difference between revisions of "Behaviour Modifying Drugs - Overview"

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Although many drugs are used to treat behavioural conditions in animals there are only three psychoactive drugs specifically licensed for use in companion animals to treat behavioural problems. These are:
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Although many drugs are used to treat behavioural conditions in animals, there are only three psychoactive drugs specifically licensed for use in companion animals to treat behavioural problems. These are:
  
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*'''[[Clomipramine]]''' (licensed in the dog for treatment of separation anxiety)
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*'''[[Clomipramine]]''' (EU and USA license for the treatment of separation related problems in dogs).
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*'''[[Selegiline]]''' (licensed in the dog for treatment of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome)
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*'''[[Selegiline]]''' (EU License for the treatment of behavioural problems with an emotional underlying origin).
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*'''[[Fluoxetine]]''' (licensed in the dog in the USA for treatment of separation anxiety)
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*'''[[Fluoxetine]]''' (EU and USA license for the treatment of separation anxiety in dogs, when used in combination with behavioural therapy. Subsequently withdrawn from European market).
  
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Several other drugs are often used to treat behavioural conditions, such as propranolol, phenobarbitone, diazepam and various other common veterinary drugs, however these are not licensed for this purpose.
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No psychoactive drugs are licensed for use in cats.
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In addition many other drugs are used in behavioural medicine but most are unlicensed for use in any animal species. Examples are listed in the table below, however most uses listed are unapproved, '''care should therefore be taken with their use''':
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A range of other drugs are used to treat behavioural conditions, including beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, benzodiazepines, azapirones, anticonvulsants and triazolopyridines.
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Some of these drugs are licensed for use in a companion animal species for another condition, but many are not licensed for use in any companion animal species.  
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Examples are listed in the table below, however, most uses listed are unapproved, '''care should therefore be taken with their use''':
  
  
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! Class of Drug !! Drugs !! Uses !! Side Effects
 
! Class of Drug !! Drugs !! Uses !! Side Effects
 
|-
 
|-
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| '''Tranquilizers''' || Acepromazine || Sedation/restraint || Hypotension, CNS stimulation, contradictory responses. Caution in boxers and greyhounds
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| '''Tranquillisers''' || Acepromazine || Sedation/restraint (no specific indication in behavioural therapy) || Hypotension, CNS stimulation, contradictory responses, caution in boxers and greyhounds
 
|-
 
|-
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| '''Benzodiazepines '''|| Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Clorazepate, Diazepam, Lorazepam, Oxazepam || [[Feline Fear and Stress|Anxiety, noise phobias]], canine submissive urination, [[Indoor Marking - Cat|feline urine marking]] || Sedation, ataxia, increased appetite, paradoxical excitation
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| '''Benzodiazepines '''|| Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Clorazepate, Diazepam, Lorazepam, Oxazepam || [[Feline Fear and Stress|Acute anxiety, panic, short-term management of noise phobias]] || Hepatic necrosis after oral dosing in cats (potentially fatal), sedation, ataxia, increased appetite, paradoxical excitation, amnesia
 
|-
 
|-
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| '''Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)''' || Amitriptyline, [[Clomipramine]], Doxepin, Imipramine || Anxiety, separation anxiety, canine and [[Feline Aggression|feline fear aggression]], [[Indoor Marking - Cat|feline urine marking]], [[Feline Grooming Disorders|feline compulsive grooming]], stereotypy, some narcoleptic disorders || Sedation, gastrointestinal (GI) effects, dry mouth, increased thirst, urinary retention
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| '''Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)''' || Amitriptyline, [[Clomipramine]] || Anxiety, separation anxiety, canine and [[Feline Aggression|feline fear aggression]], [[Indoor Marking - Cat|feline urine marking]], [[Feline Grooming Disorders|feline compulsive grooming]], stereotypy, some narcoleptic disorders || Sedation, gastrointestinal (GI) effects, dry mouth, increased thirst, urinary retention
 
|-
 
|-
 
| '''Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)''' || [[Fluoxetine]], Fluvoxamine, Paroxetine, Sertraline || [[Feline Aggression|Aggression]], canine separation anxiety, [[Feline Compulsive Disorders|compulsive disorders]], [[Indoor Marking - Cat|feline urine marking]] || Lethargy, inappetence, anorexia, GI effects
 
| '''Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)''' || [[Fluoxetine]], Fluvoxamine, Paroxetine, Sertraline || [[Feline Aggression|Aggression]], canine separation anxiety, [[Feline Compulsive Disorders|compulsive disorders]], [[Indoor Marking - Cat|feline urine marking]] || Lethargy, inappetence, anorexia, GI effects
 
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|-
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| '''Beta Blockers''' || Propranolol || Canine fear aggression, noise phobia || Bradycardia, lethargy, hypotension, syncope
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| '''Beta Blockers''' || Propranolol || Situational anxiety, social anxiety, augmentation therapy for SRI/SSRIS drugs || Bradycardia, lethargy, hypotension, syncope
 
|-
 
|-
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| '''Azapirones''' || Busiprone || Phobia, anxiety, feline urine marking, interact aggression || Uncommon, not sedating
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| '''Azapirones''' || Busiprone || Anxiety, feline urine marking, interact aggression || Uncommon, not sedating
 
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|-
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| '''Triazolopyridines''' || Trazodone || ||
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| '''Triazolopyridines''' || Trazodone || Anxiety, phobia, separation anxiety, used primarily as an augmentation for other psychoactive drug therapies||
 
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|-
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| '''Anticonvulsants''' || Carbamazepine, Gabapentin, Levetiracetam, Phenobarbital, Potassium bromide || Canine and feline compulsive tail chasing, unprovoked canine rage aggression || Lethargy, ataxia, polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia
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| '''Anticonvulsants''' || Carbamazepine, Gabapentin, Levetiracetam, Phenobarbital, Potassium bromide || Behavioural problems arising from focal seizures (e.g. aggression, tail chasing) || Lethargy, ataxia, polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia
 
|-
 
|-
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| '''Hormones''' || Medroxyprogesterone acetate, Megestrol acetate || Last resort for aggression and feline urine marking || Polyphagia, polydipsia, sedation, diabete mellitus, pyometra, mammary hyperplasia, endometrial hyperplasia, carcinoma
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| '''Glial Modulators''' || Propentofylline || Reduced activity in dogs (as an adjunct therapy for dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome) ||
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|-
 
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| '''Glial Modulators''' || Propentofylline || ||
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| '''Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAO-Is)''' || [[Selegiline]] || Canine and feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome, fear related problems, spraying, hyperactivity, compulsive/stereoptypical disorders, specific phobias || GI effects, restlessness or lethargy, anorexia
 
| '''Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAO-Is)''' || [[Selegiline]] || Canine and feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome, fear related problems, spraying, hyperactivity, compulsive/stereoptypical disorders, specific phobias || GI effects, restlessness or lethargy, anorexia
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'''Benzodiazepines''' are the only class of drug that consistently succeed in all models, but this may be why they have a dangerous '''disinhibitory effect on aggression'''. These drugs eliminate avoidant responses to many kinds of aversive events, increasing confidence in a number of exploratory tests. This is why benzodiazepines can cause dangerous levels of disinhibition in aggressive dogs. Benzodiazepines also inhibit memory formation by affecting NMDA (glutamate) receptors in the hippocampus, which limits their usefulness in behavioural therapy where any kind of learning is required, which is in most situations. They are useful for memory blocking if given at sub-sedative doses prior to or during a predicted traumatic event such as a thunderstorm. When used at low doses they act as mild tranquillisers, this can help moderate excitement. At medium doses they lessen anxiety, which can encourage social interaction in a constructive way <ref name="Overall">Overall, K.L., 2004. Paradigms for pharmacologic use as a treatment component in feline behavioral medicine. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 6, 29-42.</ref>.
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Synthetic hormone analogues like megestrol acetate (Ovarid), have little or no rational use in behavioural therapy for reasons of non-specificity, and adverse effects which make their use unjustifiable. Phenothiazines such as ACP have a very varied level of effect and duration of action and affect both normal and abnormal behaviours without significantly altering emotional state, which is an out of date approach to behavioural therapy<ref>Overall, K.L., 2004. Paradigms for pharmacologic use as a treatment component in feline behavioral medicine. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 6, 29-42.</ref>.  
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Drugs such as Acepromazine (ACP) which act on dopamine receptors and synthetic hormone analogues like megestrol acetate (Ovarid) have little or no rational use in behavioural therapy for reasons of non-specificity, and adverse effects which make their use unjustifiable.
 
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Phenothiazines such as ACP have a very varied level of effect and duration of action and dull both normal and abnormal behaviours which is an out of date approach to behavioural therapy<ref name="Overall" />.  
 
  
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The first port of call when using medication for behavioural problems should be drugs licensed for veterinary use. These drugs have established data about their efficacy, side effects, contraindications and toxicity which makes expected outcomes more reliable<ref>Merck Veterinary Manual (10th Edition) - [http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/behavior.html Behaviour]</ref>.
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Licensed drugs have established data about their efficacy, side effects, contraindications and toxicity, which makes expected outcomes more reliable<ref>Merck Veterinary Manual (10th Edition) - [http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/behavior.html Behaviour]. 2011 The Merck Publishing Group.</ref>. Their use is supported by one or more controlled studies.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
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<br><br>
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{{Jon Bowen reviewed
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|date = September 9, 2014
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}}
  
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{{unfinished}}
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{{Ceva}}
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[[Category:To Do - Behaviour GGP]]
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{{OpenPages}}
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[[Category:Pharmacological Approach to Problem Behaviour]]

Latest revision as of 09:34, 16 July 2015


Although many drugs are used to treat behavioural conditions in animals, there are only three psychoactive drugs specifically licensed for use in companion animals to treat behavioural problems. These are:

  • Clomipramine (EU and USA license for the treatment of separation related problems in dogs).
  • Selegiline (EU License for the treatment of behavioural problems with an emotional underlying origin).
  • Fluoxetine (EU and USA license for the treatment of separation anxiety in dogs, when used in combination with behavioural therapy. Subsequently withdrawn from European market).

No psychoactive drugs are licensed for use in cats. A range of other drugs are used to treat behavioural conditions, including beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, benzodiazepines, azapirones, anticonvulsants and triazolopyridines. Some of these drugs are licensed for use in a companion animal species for another condition, but many are not licensed for use in any companion animal species. Examples are listed in the table below, however, most uses listed are unapproved, care should therefore be taken with their use:


Class of Drug Drugs Uses Side Effects
Tranquillisers Acepromazine Sedation/restraint (no specific indication in behavioural therapy) Hypotension, CNS stimulation, contradictory responses, caution in boxers and greyhounds
Benzodiazepines Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Clorazepate, Diazepam, Lorazepam, Oxazepam Acute anxiety, panic, short-term management of noise phobias Hepatic necrosis after oral dosing in cats (potentially fatal), sedation, ataxia, increased appetite, paradoxical excitation, amnesia
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Amitriptyline, Clomipramine Anxiety, separation anxiety, canine and feline fear aggression, feline urine marking, feline compulsive grooming, stereotypy, some narcoleptic disorders Sedation, gastrointestinal (GI) effects, dry mouth, increased thirst, urinary retention
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine, Paroxetine, Sertraline Aggression, canine separation anxiety, compulsive disorders, feline urine marking Lethargy, inappetence, anorexia, GI effects
Beta Blockers Propranolol Situational anxiety, social anxiety, augmentation therapy for SRI/SSRIS drugs Bradycardia, lethargy, hypotension, syncope
Azapirones Busiprone Anxiety, feline urine marking, interact aggression Uncommon, not sedating
Triazolopyridines Trazodone Anxiety, phobia, separation anxiety, used primarily as an augmentation for other psychoactive drug therapies
Anticonvulsants Carbamazepine, Gabapentin, Levetiracetam, Phenobarbital, Potassium bromide Behavioural problems arising from focal seizures (e.g. aggression, tail chasing) Lethargy, ataxia, polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia
Glial Modulators Propentofylline Reduced activity in dogs (as an adjunct therapy for dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome)
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAO-Is) Selegiline Canine and feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome, fear related problems, spraying, hyperactivity, compulsive/stereoptypical disorders, specific phobias GI effects, restlessness or lethargy, anorexia


Synthetic hormone analogues like megestrol acetate (Ovarid), have little or no rational use in behavioural therapy for reasons of non-specificity, and adverse effects which make their use unjustifiable. Phenothiazines such as ACP have a very varied level of effect and duration of action and affect both normal and abnormal behaviours without significantly altering emotional state, which is an out of date approach to behavioural therapy[1].

Licensed drugs have established data about their efficacy, side effects, contraindications and toxicity, which makes expected outcomes more reliable[2]. Their use is supported by one or more controlled studies.

References

  1. ↑ Overall, K.L., 2004. Paradigms for pharmacologic use as a treatment component in feline behavioral medicine. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 6, 29-42.
  2. ↑ Merck Veterinary Manual (10th Edition) - Behaviour. 2011 The Merck Publishing Group.



This article has been expert reviewed by Jon Bowen BVetMed DipAS(CABC) MRCVS.

Date reviewed: September 9, 2014


The creation of this content was made possible by Ceva Santé Animale as part of the feline behaviour project. Ceva logo.jpg


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