Behaviour Modifying Drugs - Overview
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)
- Selegiline (licensed in the dog)
- Fluoxetine (licensed in the dog in the USA)
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 include:
| 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)