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:

  • Clomipramine (licensed in the dog for treatment of separation anxiety)
  • Selegiline (licensed in the dog for treatment of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome)
  • Fluoxetine (licensed in the dog in the USA for treatment of separation anxiety)

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. In addition many other drugs are used in behavioural medicine but all 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:


INCLUDE USES AND SIDE EFFECTS IN TABLE?

Class of Drug Drugs
Tranquilizers Acepromazine
Benzodiazepines Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Clorazepate, Diazepam, Lorazepam, Oxazepam
Tricyclic Antidepressants Amitriptyline, Clompipramine, Doxepin, Imipramine
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine, Paroxetine, Sertraline
Beta Blockers Propranolol
Azapirones Busiprone
Triazolopyridines Trazodone
Anticonvulsants Carbamazepine, Gabapentin, Levetiracetam, Phenobarbital, Potassium bromide
Hormones Medroxyprogesterone acetate, Megestrol acetate
Glial Modulators Propentofylline
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors Selegiline


Drugs such as Acepromazine (ACP) 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.

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. (Merck)