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jmc - 12 Apr 2008 05:25 GMT

Meep's finally off the Clomicalm and on amytriptyline. Probably because
the vet got it from a compounding pharmacy, there was no drug insert for
it. Her dose is 2.5mg, once per day. Capsules.

I see it's an antihistamine, as well as having analgesic affects. I see
it's used for human interstitial cystitis as well.

However, Meep's showing a couple of possible side effects I don't seem
to see for humans:

Increased appetite (not necessarily a bad thing, she's a bit thin)
Increased activity
Increased vocalization

She hasn't been this active, or this talkative, in a long time. Also,
she's only been on the ami for two days - is that long enough to have
this effect? Or is this just because she's off the clomicalm?

What are the normal possible side effects of amitriptyline in cats?

jmc

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Phil P. - 12 Apr 2008 10:21 GMT

> Meep's finally off the Clomicalm and on amytriptyline. Probably because
> the vet got it from a compounding pharmacy, there was no drug insert for
> it. Her dose is 2.5mg, once per day. Capsules.
>
> I see it's an antihistamine, as well as having analgesic affects. I see
> it's used for human interstitial cystitis as well.

Actually, its a tricyclic anti-depressant

> However, Meep's showing a couple of possible side effects I don't seem
> to see for humans:
>
> Increased appetite (not necessarily a bad thing, she's a bit thin)
> Increased activity
> Increased vocalization

Those are fairly common side effects of the drug in cats- but they should
be very mild with such a low dose. I'm thinking the strength might be a
little high. The problem with compounded drugs is you never know if your
getting the correct formulation and the right strength. This really become
obvious in the refills when you notice changes in efficacy and behavior from
refill to refill. If you're forced to buy compounded drugs, its best to by
a 6 or 12 month supply that's compounded from the same lot. This way its a
lot easier to make dosage adjustments. Otherwise, you have to practically
start from scratch with each refill because they might not be the same as
the previous one. The right dose should produce a barely perceptible calming
effect.

Is there any way you can get Merck's amytriptyline even if you have to pay a
little more?

> She hasn't been this active, or this talkative, in a long time. Also,
> she's only been on the ami for two days - is that long enough to have
> this effect? Or is this just because she's off the clomicalm?
>
> What are the normal possible side effects of amitriptyline in cats?

Appetite can go either way- increase or decrease. Water consumption might
increase. There could be heart-related issues- rhythm disturbances- but I
doubt it at such a low dose. Still you might want to have your vet run an
EKG to be on the safe side.

I think the constant moving around from place to place and having to adapt
to new environments every few months might be exacerbating her FIC.

Phil

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jmc - 12 Apr 2008 13:31 GMT

Suddenly, without warning, Phil P. exclaimed (4/12/2008 6:51 PM):

>> Meep's finally off the Clomicalm and on amytriptyline. Probably because
>> the vet got it from a compounding pharmacy, there was no drug insert for
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Actually, its a tricyclic anti-depressant

Sorry, I meant to say *also* an antihistamine (actually, what it said
was, "has strong antihistamine effects" or something similar).

>> However, Meep's showing a couple of possible side effects I don't seem
>> to see for humans:
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Is there any way you can get Merck's amytriptyline even if you have to pay a
> little more?

Not from here. But we'll be back in the US in June, I'll get a proper
prescription then.

>> She hasn't been this active, or this talkative, in a long time. Also,
>> she's only been on the ami for two days - is that long enough to have
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Phil

I'll have to keep an eye on the heart issues, she has a grade 3 heart
murmur (sometimes it's intermittent).

Thanks for the info.

jmc

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