Fluoxetine
Reconcile (veterinary) · Prozac (human) · generic fluoxetine
Fluoxetine is the most used daily medicine for separation anxiety, compulsive behaviours and aggression in dogs, and for spraying and anxiety in cats. A veterinary version exists, but the human generic is the same molecule and any pharmacy can fill a vet’s prescription for it.
What it is used for
Fluoxetine is an SSRI antidepressant. In animals it is used with a behaviour-modification plan, never instead of one, for separation anxiety, noise phobia, compulsive licking or tail chasing, some forms of aggression, and urine spraying in cats. It takes four to six weeks to show its effect and is given daily for months, sometimes for life.
Reconcile is a chewable veterinary tablet approved for separation anxiety in dogs; the human capsules and tablets contain the same drug at strengths a vet can match by weight, and are what most pharmacies dispense. Reduced appetite in the first weeks, lethargy and occasionally restlessness are the usual effects; the vet will usually see the animal a few weeks after starting.
Safety points that differ from human use
- Fluoxetine must not be combined with MAO-inhibiting flea and tick products or with selegiline, and combinations with trazodone, tramadol or clomipramine need the vet’s oversight because of serotonin effects.
- Doses for cats are small; the human capsule often has to be compounded or carefully divided.
- Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal-like signs; the vet will taper it.
- Capsules and tablets (human)
- Chewable tablets (Reconcile, veterinary)
- Oral solution (human; check for alcohol and sweeteners)
- Compounded liquids and small capsules
- 10, 20 and 40 mg capsules
- 10 and 20 mg tablets
- Oral solution 20 mg per 5 mL
The human oral solution contains alcohol and is rarely used for pets; compounders make flavoured liquids for cats.
Why the cash price varies
Human fluoxetine is a commodity generic and sits on most flat-price lists, so for a dog on a standard strength the cash price is mostly the dispensing fee. The veterinary chewable is a brand product sold through vets and costs more. Compounded cat doses are made to order.
How to pay less
- Ask the vet whether the human generic at a matching strength is suitable, and for a ninety-day prescription since it is a long-term medicine.
- For a cat, ask whether a divided tablet or opened capsule would do before paying for compounding.
- Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.
Questions for your vet
- What behaviour plan goes with the medicine, and how will we judge whether it is working?
- Can I use the human generic rather than the veterinary chewable?
- Is it safe with my pet’s flea and tick treatment and other medicines?
- What should I expect in the first weeks?
- How would we stop it if we decide to?
Rules on refills, transfers and controlled substances differ by state; see pharmacy rules by state.
How Script Unlock gets you a cash price for your pet’s fluoxetine prescription
Prices on this site come from pharmacies responding to a real prescription. We do not publish estimated, average or "typical" prices, because none of those would be your price.
- 1You upload your prescription
A photo of your your pet’s fluoxetine prescription prescription is enough. Nothing is sold on the site; you are asking pharmacies to quote.
- 2Licensed pharmacies respond
Pharmacies that Script Unlock has verified see the request and each can reply with its own cash price for your exact drug, strength and quantity.
- 3You choose and pay the pharmacy
You compare the responses, pick a pharmacy, and pay that pharmacy directly when you collect. Script Unlock never takes a patient payment and never sets the price.
Related pet medications
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual
- FDA Approved Animal Drug Products (Green Book)
- FDA Orange Book (approved generics and therapeutic equivalence)
- MedlinePlus drug information (National Library of Medicine)
Written by the Script Unlock editorial team from the sources above. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian or veterinary pharmacist. Last checked 2026-10-03. Nothing here replaces your vet\u2019s directions; doses for animals are set by weight and species.
Script Unlock is a marketplace that lets licensed pharmacies quote a cash price on your prescription. It does not prescribe, dispense or sell medication, does not process patient payments, and does not give medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist and read the medication guide supplied with your medicine.