Itching after Fluoxetine in dogs

The FDA has received 85 reports of itching in dogs after Fluoxetine. That is 3.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.3% across reports for all dog medicines.

85Reports

28%Marked serious

29%Recovered

1.2%Died or euthanised

27 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

8 19%

1–2 days

5 12%

3–7 days

4 9.3%

1–4 weeks

5 12%

Over a month

21 49%

How the animals did

Recovered

18 21%

Recovered with lasting effects

7 8.2%

Still unwell when reported

20 24%

Euthanised

1 1.2%

Not known

39 46%

Problems reported at the same time

Behaviour change

13 15%

Lethargy

11 13%

Didn't work as expected

11 13%

10 12%

9 11%

7 8.2%

6 7.1%

6 7.1%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Fluoxetine treats anxiety and behaviour problems.

Questions owners ask

Can Fluoxetine cause itching in dogs?: 85 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 27 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Itching with similar medicines

Itching after Gabapentin 300 reports · 3.3% of its reports
Itching after Selegiline (Anipryl) 87 reports · 2.1% of its reports
Itching after Trazodone 89 reports · 3.5% of its reports
Itching after Clomipramine (Clomicalm) 34 reports · 2.2% of its reports

All reported side effects of Fluoxetine in dogs · Medicines most reported with itching