Clomipramine

Clomipramine belongs to the group of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) – a class of active substances that has been known in human medicine for decades and is now firmly established in veterinary medicine. The mechanism: clomipramine inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain. These two neurotransmitters influence how a dog processes stress, how agitated it is internally, and how stable its baseline mood remains.

If serotonin and noradrenaline remain available in the synaptic cleft for longer, emotional balance can gradually stabilise – a process that takes weeks but has lasting effects.

Clomipramine is approved for dogs under the brand name Clomicalm® (Novartis / Elanco) – developed and dosed specifically for use in dogs.

When is clomipramine used in dogs?

Approved and common areas of use:

How does clomipramine work in the brain?

• Increases serotonin and noradrenaline levels → promotes emotional stability

• Has mood-lifting and anxiolytic effects – but explicitly not sedating

• The dog is not “calmed down” – it can simply coping better with stress, because the neurochemical basis is correct

• Patience is required: a noticeable improvement often shows only after 2–4 weeks

Advantages of clomipramine in dogs

Risks and side effects

As with all psychotropic drugs, side effects are possible – the risk increases particularly if the dose is increased too quickly:

What you must absolutely bear in mind

• Only on prescription from a vet – clomipramine is prescription-only, not a mail-order product

• Never stop abruptly! Tapering off over several days or weeks is mandatory

• No substitute for training – the medication makes the dog receptive to learning, but actual relearning only succeeds through targeted behaviour therapy

• Schedule regular check-ups – especially with long-term use, the vet should monitor progress

When and how is clomipramine administered?

• Long-term administration over weeks to months

• First signs of effect often appear after 10–14 days, full effect is only achieved after around 4–6 weeks

• Concurrent training is not a bonus, but the core of treatment – e.g. structured alone-time exercises or systematic desensitisation

• Dosage: Dose, frequency of administration and duration of treatment are determined individually by the vet practice based on weight and diagnosis; there is no universally applicable formula.

Clomipramine compared with other active substances

Clomipramine – when behaviour therapy needs support

Clomipramine is not a sedative and nor is it a quick fix. For dogs with chronic anxiety, separation stress or stubborn compulsive behaviour, it creates the neurochemical foundation on which targeted training can actually take effect – no more, but also no less. The effect is delayed, but persists with consistent use. Veterinary supervision and a structured training programme remain essential.