Can Prozac Cause Weight Loss In Dogs?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The most common side effects include sleepiness and decreased appetite. Other side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, restlessness, panting, whining/vocalization, incoordination, hypersalivation, and weight loss . Serious/severe side effects include seizures, aggression, and excessive/persistent vomiting.

Is weight loss normal on Prozac?

As an SSRI, Prozac increases the levels of serotonin in the brain and these are generally the first-line treatment for depression. Any weight loss you may experience while taking Prozac may only be temporary and weight gain after the first few months may be possible.

How long does loss of appetite last for dog on Prozac?

Any side effects are usually gastrointestinal—vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite—which Dr. Pike says last only a day or two in dogs with a positive response to psychopharmaceuticals.

Does Prozac decrease appetite?

Several studies have shown that fluoxetine decreased food intake and body weight during chronic treatment .

What time of day should I give my dog Prozac?

Most behaviour textbooks recommend once a day dosing without specifying AM or PM . There is a need for more research and understanding of the use of fluoxetine and other behaviour modifying drugs in veterinary medicine.

What happens if dog stops taking fluoxetine?

Weaning a dog off Prozac requires you to do so slowly as quickly taking your dog off of this medication can end up making their symptoms worse and sometimes even make them more anxious and irritated .

How long does it take for fluoxetine to work in dogs?

Fluoxetine for dogs is administered orally once a day over a long period of time. This medication works slowly, and results may not be seen for 3 to 4 weeks , and often for up to 8 weeks. During this time, testing may be used to evaluate the effectiveness of this medication.

Is fluoxetine safe for dogs?

Dogs and Cats

Fluoxetine is FDA-approved for use in separation anxiety in dogs . All other uses of fluoxetine in dogs and cats are extra-label but there is considerable literature and experience on the use of SSRI’s for small-animal behavior problems.

How much Prozac Can you give a dog?

Prozac, Reconcile and other fluoxetine products (without additional active ingredients) can be given by mouth once daily at a dosage of 0.5 – 0.9 mg/lb . Some vets recommend 0.5 mg/lb as the upper dosage limit, while others suggest 1.35 mg/lb to be a safe maximum. Please use the dosage suggested to you by your own vet.

Does Prozac affect metabolism?

Does Prozac affect metabolism? Prozac does not directly change the way that metabolism works . The weight gain associated with Prozac is not because it suppresses metabolic function.

Will stopping Prozac cause weight loss?

If you decrease your daily calorie intake as a result, you could potentially lose weight by stopping your antidepressants . On the other hand, if you experience loss of appetite with depression, and your depression comes back after stopping antidepressants, you may also lose weight.

Does Prozac cause weight gain or weight loss?

Experts say that for up to 25% of people, most antidepressant medications — including the popular SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) drugs like Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft — can cause a weight gain of 10 pounds or more.

Does 20mg Prozac cause weight gain?

1In fact, Prozac is actually considered one of the weight-neutral antidepressants, meaning it doesn’t typically cause weight gain .

Is weight gain a side effect of fluoxetine?

Like any medication, antidepressants in the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have potential side effects. For some people who take an SSRI such as Prozac (fluoxetine) or Zoloft (sertraline), one of these possible side effects is weight gain .

Can fluoxetine cause eating disorders?

Among the common adverse effects associated with fluoxetine and listed in the prescribing information, the effects with the greatest difference from placebo are nausea (22% vs 9% for placebo),insomnia(19% vs 10% for placebo),somnolence(12% vs 5% for placebo),anorexia(10% vs 3% for placebo),anxiety(12% vs 6% for placebo ...

Will Prozac change my dogs personality?

Used properly, a daily medication like Prozac can help your anxious or reactive dog in three ways. First, you should notice that it takes a bit “more” to cause an anxious or aggressive response than before – essentially, the dog has a longer fuse. Second, if there is a reaction, it should be less intense.

Does Prozac make dogs sleepy?

Prozac for anxiety can make dogs feel sleepy , so it’s important to make sure dosages are handled well, and that you ask your vet when the best time for your dog to take Prozac is, as well as what to do when stopping Prozac.

Does Prozac help dogs with separation anxiety?

Two pharmacological interventions clomipramine (Clomicalm ® ) and fluoxetine (Prozac ® ) are approved in the United States for the treatment of canine separation anxiety . These are antidepressant drugs used for humans to treat the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

How do you wean a dog off of fluoxetine?

If planning to discontinue fluoxetine, a tapering course is not necessary unless the patient has been taking fluoxetine for more than 8 weeks. In that case, tapering the dose over a couple of weeks is a good idea. Fluoxetine and MAO inhibitors should not be given together and a “wash out” period is needed between them.

What are the withdrawal symptoms of fluoxetine?

Stopping fluoxetine abruptly may result in one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms: irritability, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, nightmares, headache, and/or paresthesias (prickling, tingling sensation on the skin) . Depression is also a part of bipolar illness.

Why would you put a dog on Prozac?

A survey of small-animal veterinarians published in 2016 found that 83 percent had prescribed the antidepressant fluoxetine (a.k.a. Prozac for humans) to cats and/or dogs, often for off-label uses such as treating inappropriate urination and aggression .

How do I know if my dog needs Prozac?

  1. Fearful body language. Watch for excessive panting, whale eye, tucked tails, and even trembling.
  2. Vocalizations. ...
  3. Aberrant movement.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.