Chlorpheniramine
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Chlorpheniramine for pets in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
(klor-fen-ir-a-meen)
Description:
This medicine is an antihistamine (a drug used to reduce allergy-related effects).
Other Names for this Medication:
- Chlor-Trimeton®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals:
- there are no veterinary-labeled forms.
- For people:
- it comes as 4 mg tablets and 12 mg extended-release tablets (made to release medicine slowly).
- It also comes as liquids:
- 2 mg/mL oral liquid
- 2 mg/5 mL (0.4 mg/mL) oral syrup
Key Information
- Use only products where chlorpheniramine is the only active ingredient. Human products that combine it with other ingredients (for example, pain medicines or decongestants) may contain substances that are poisonous to animals.
- For animals that benefit from antihistamines, these medicines should be given consistently and regularly. They tend to work better when started before the animal is around the allergy trigger (for example, pollens).
- This medicine can make an animal sleepy. With continued use, the sleepiness may decrease.
- If you are using a slow-release (sustained-release) form, do not cut the tablet or crush it. If you are using a long-acting capsule, you may open the capsule and sprinkle what is inside onto food, but do not let the small beads dissolve before your animal eats the food.
- Giving this medicine to cats can be challenging because it tastes bitter.
How is this medication useful? Chlorpheniramine for pets in Perth
- Allergies can cause the body to release histamine, which can lead to itchy skin. Chlorpheniramine reduces the effects of histamine and can lessen itching linked to allergies.
- It may also be used as an extra treatment for itching connected to certain cancers (for example, mast cell tumors).
- Like other antihistamines, how well this medicine works can differ a lot from one animal to another, and results can be hard to predict. Because of this, your veterinarian may try more than one antihistamine to find the one that helps your animal the most.
- Chlorpheniramine may be given together with another antihistamine to increase the overall effect.
- Because it can cause drowsiness, it is sometimes used to help calm animals that are overly excited.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many factors can change how this medicine works for your animal. Share the following information with your veterinarian so you can make the best choices together.
- Other medicines can affect chlorpheniramine. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Include how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had in the past.
- If your animal has been treated before for the same problem, explain what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Also tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any side effects your animal has had from medicines in the past. This includes allergic reactions, not eating, vomiting, diarrhea, itching, and/or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
- You should expect this medicine to start helping within 1 to 2 hours. After that, your animal’s signs should begin to improve.
- This medicine does not last long. Its effect usually ends within 24 hours. However, the helpful effects may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver are not working as well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your animal.
This drug SHOULD NOT be used in patients with:
- A past allergic reaction to this medicine.
This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in patients with:
- Appointments for allergy testing. Antihistamines can change allergy test results. Ask your veterinarian when you should stop giving this medicine before testing.
- Glaucoma, because this medicine may worsen it.
- Older animals.
- Working dogs (for example, guide dogs, search dogs, hunting dogs, sled dogs, rescue dogs) because sleepiness may prevent them from doing their jobs.
- Nursing mothers.
- Trouble urinating, an enlarged prostate, thyroid problems, or heart disease.
- Blockages in the stomach or intestines.
If your animal has any of these issues, discuss the possible benefits and risks with your veterinarian.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Common side effects that are usually not serious include:
- If you notice any of the signs below, you usually do not need to panic unless they are severe, get worse, or do not go away. Contact your veterinarian if you are worried.
- The side effect seen most often is sleepiness. This is sometimes wanted. Many animals get used to this over time and become less sleepy with continued dosing.
- A dry mouth and difficulty urinating (for example, straining) can happen, but these are not common.
- Cats may become unusually energetic or excited while taking this medicine.
- Less commonly, chlorpheniramine can upset the stomach and intestines, which may show up as vomiting, eating less, or diarrhea.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
- Most overdoses of chlorpheniramine are not severe, but very large overdoses can be dangerous.
- If you do not know how much was taken, or if you believe your animal received too much and you see signs such as extreme sleepiness, unusual excitement, seizures, or very dry mouth, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away for instructions.
How should this medication be given?
- Give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed it. It is helpful to read the prescription label each time so you confirm you are giving it correctly.
- Many cats, and some dogs, dislike the taste of chlorpheniramine. If giving doses is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for advice on how to give it and how to make medication time less stressful.
- If you are using a liquid form, measure it with care. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special measuring spoons or dosing syringes.
- You may give this medicine with food or without food. If your animal vomits or seems unwell after getting it on an empty stomach, give the next dose with food or a small treat. If vomiting continues, contact your veterinarian.
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time depending on the situation. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep giving it. You may need prescription refills before the full course is finished. Do not stop this medicine without speaking with your veterinarian first, because there may be important reasons to continue.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
- If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, do not give the missed one. Instead, give the next dose at the normal time. Then continue with the usual schedule. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine at room temperature in the original child-resistant prescription container, or in an approved pill organizer.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
- No special handling steps are needed unless you are allergic to this medicine. Wash your hands after you handle any medication.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet or pour it into a sink.
- If your area has a community medicine “take-back” program, use that.
- If there is no take-back option, combine the medicine with used coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unpleasant to children and animals and not recognizable to someone searching through trash. Put the mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks. Then place it in the household trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine for later use, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Because this medicine can cause a dry mouth, make sure your animal can drink water at all times.
- Some animal sports or competitions may not allow use of this medicine. Check the rules for your pet’s activity before entering while your animal is receiving this medicine.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”