Side Effects of Clomicalm

Clomicalm contains the tricyclic antidepressant medication clomipramine hydrocholoride and has a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved indication for reducing the signs and symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs. Giving dogs daily doses of Clomicalm and also providing behavioral therapy significantly helped reduce their indoor urination and defecation and destruction of household objects, according to a study reported in the April 19, 2000 issue of the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science. The medication produces generally mild side effects at recommended doses.

  1. Cardiovascular Side Effects

    • The product information for Clomicalm lists both increased and decreased heart rate as side effects from the medication. However, a French study published in the August 2000 American Journal of Veterinary Research found that significant changes in heart rates occurred only in dogs receiving very high doses of the drug. The highest recommended daily dose of Clomicalm is 4 mg/kg, according to the drug's product information. In the French study, only dogs who received daily doses of 20 mg/kg had large decreases in heartbeats.

    Gastrointestinal Side Effects

    • Vomiting, increased thirst, and diarrhea are among the most common side effects in dogs who receive Clomicalm. It sometimes has caused liver damage. These gastrointestinal side effects become severe when dogs receive an overdose of Clomicalm.

    Behavioral and Nervous System Side Effects

    • Some dogs who receive Clomicalm can experience convulsions and become confused or lethargic. The medication can also make dogs depressed. Symptoms of canine depression include lack of energy, loss of interest in playing with people or other dogs, loss of appetite and increased sleep. Overdoses of Clomicalm can cause muscle weakness, incoordination, dilated pupils and whimpering.

    Contraindications

    • Dogs taking other antianxiety medications classified as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, cannot receive Clomicalm. Canine MAOIs include selegiline (Anipryl from Pfizer) and amitraz (Mitaban from Pfizer). Also, dogs with seizure disorders, and dogs being treated with antiseizure medications such as phenobarbital or potassium bromide, cannot receive Clomicalm. Last, high doses of Clomicalm given for a year or longer have caused the atrophy or disappearance of sperm-producing tissue (testicular hypoplasia) in breeding male dogs. Unneutered male dogs should not receive Clomicalm.

    Warnings for Humans

    • The product information for Clomicalm contains a boldface "Human Warnings" section that states in part--and with this emphasis--"KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical attention immediately. In children, accidental ingestion should be regarded as serious." The drug has a brand-name human equivalent, Mallinckrodt's Anafranil. The veterinary and human formulations can both cause convulsions, irregular heartbeat, sleep disturbances and dizziness in people.