more likely Is it Safe to Give Human Medicine to Pets? Medically reviewed on Jul 28, 2017 by L. Anderson, PharmD . Previous 1 of 13 Next View as slideshow Ask your Vet first We call them man's best friends, and it's important we treat them that way, too. Yes, there are a few human medicines that pets can take, but it's not that simple. While some human drugs can be given to pets on a regular basis, others can be very toxic. Always get specific pet medicine instructions from your veterinarian. Do not attempt to extrapolate and estimate dosing from humans to pets; always ask your vet for the right dose. In fact, special dosage forms or compounded formulations may be needed for pets. Keep your pet safe by taking the time to ask your vet first. It Hurts Everyone: Pain in Our Pets Sometimes a little pain is okay for our pets - it helps to protect them from hurting themselves even further. But sometimes pain relief is needed after surgery or an injury. Check with your vet if you think your dog or cat needs a pain medication. FDA also offers information . Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pets are available and are often used for arthritis. Human nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are felt to be too toxic for safe use in pets at ANY dose. Common dog-specific NSAIDs include carprofen ( Rimadyl , Vetprofen ), meloxicam ( Metacam ), and deracoxib ( Deramaxx ). Man and Beast: NSAID Side Effects Are Similar NSAIDs that are made especially for dogs are often used for arthritis or for pain after surgery. Just like in humans, NSAIDs can cause side effects in our pets, too, such as vomiting, decreased appetite, and diarrhea. More serious side effects, like kidney or liver toxicity, stomach ulcers and bleeding are possible, too. Pets will require blood tests when therapy is started and regularly thereafter (usually every 6 months) to monitor for liver toxicity. The popular human NSAIDs naproxen ( Aleve ) and ibuprofen ( Advil , Motrin ) are NOT recommended for pets due to toxicity. Rimadyl (carprofen), a chewable NSAID tablet for dogs, and other NSAIDS, are available from your vet. The Wonder Drug? Aspirin, used for over a century by humans, inhibits an enzyme that is involved in inflammation and pain. Although it should always be prescribed by your vet, aspirin has been used at the appropriate dose in dogs for short periods of time. But many vets do not recommend aspirin use in dogs anymore due to stomach ulcers. Your vet can determine if aspirin is safe and what dose to give based on your dog's weight. Safer NSAIDs specifically for dogs with arthritis are now available and may be preferred. DO NOT give aspirin to cats; it can be deadly to your cat. How Safe is Tylenol for Pets? Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be fatal to cats and should NEVER be given to them; dogs can be sensitive to acetaminophen, too. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage in both dogs and cats, as well as affect the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells. One report noted that three OTC drugs - ibuprofen , acetaminophen , and aspirin - resulted in roughly 10,000 annual calls to animal poison control centers. Keep all forms of acetaminophen (tablets, liquid, capsules) out of reach of your pet. And remember, acetaminophen is often combined with other medications, like cold and flu remedies, so keep them out of reach, too. If your pet is in pain, talk with your vet to get the safest medication possible. Scratch Here, Please Benadryl , known by the generic name of diphenhydramine , can be used in dogs and cats for allergies, and for motion sickness in dogs; however, check with your vet to get the ok and the right dose. Be careful not to use oral diphenhydramine liquids containing alcohol, or combination products that contain cold or flu medications like phenylephrine , pseudoephedrine or other drugs - these should never be given to pets, so check the labels. Over-the-counter Zyrtec and Claritin can be used in dogs, too; check with your vet for doses. And yes, some antihistamines can cause drowsiness in pets, so be sure to safeguard them from injuries. Don't Eat That! Tagamet, Pepcid AC, Zantac for Pets Heartburn isn't just a common human condition - our pets stomach acid can shift into overdrive, too. Over-the-counter (OTC) human acid controllers, like Pepcid AC ( famotidine ), Tagamet HB ( cimetidine ), or Zantac ( ranitidine ) can be useful for pets, but the vet should determine the dose and prescribe it for your pet. These acid controllers bind to histamine receptors in the stomach and help block acid production. Your vet might use these drugs for treatment of acid reflux, Helicobacter pylori infection, inflammatory bowel disease, canine parvovirus, ulcerations, vomiting, or with drugs that may irritate the stomach. More affordable generics may be available OTC , too. Medication should never be administered without first consulting your veterinarian. Glucosamine for Joints and Hip Dysplasia The joint protective supplement glucosamine is commonly used for arthritis and hip dysplasia in both dogs and cats. Naturally occurring substances called nutraceuticals fall in the same class as vitamins, but no supplement can reverse structural joint damage. The quality of commercially available glucosamine or chondroitin can vary, too, so ask your vet to recommend a product. It can take several weeks before the benefits are seen in your pet from taking these joint supplements. Glucosamine is available at most pet supply stores and is now even found in some pet foods. Go For a Ride, Master? You've probably seen this while driving: man's best friend hanging his head out the window catching the breeze. Many dogs love to go for a ride in the car; however, some dogs experience motion sickness (which we humans do not love). Longer trips may be more difficult than shorter ones on your canine friend. Some vets might recommend meclizine ( Bonine , Antivert ) or dimenhydrinate ( Dramamine ), a human motion sickness medicine. As with so many human medicines, doses are based on your dogs weight, so ask your vet. These drugs may cause drowsiness, too, so beware about dog safety in the car, especially if your friend is fond of hanging out the window. It's Bound to Happen: Cuts, Stings, or Mild Lacerations Mild cuts or scrapes on your pet can be treated with OTC triple antibiotic ointment ( Neosporin ), with your vets OK, to help prevent infection. Pets will try to lick it off, so use an Elizabethan collar (found at pet stores) to prevent licking, as ingestion could be toxic. Neosporin should not be used for deep wounds that are bleeding or dirty, or the result of a bite. See a vet for these types of wounds. Owners should make sure that the antibiotic ointments they use do not include "caines", like lidocaine , or other pain relief formulas. Saline solutions or hydrogen peroxide can be used to clean wounds. For bee stings, apply a baking soda-water mixture, let it dry, and then gently scrape out the stinger. Contact your vet or find an emergency clinic for serious bleeding, deep wounds, or a red or swollen surface wound. I'm Sorry - Did I Do That? Some OTC stomach medicines can be used in dogs for problems such as diarrhea and poor digestion. Loperamide ( Imodium ), for diarrhea, slows down the movement of the bowel and reduces the fluid in the stool which leads to less diarrhea. Pets whose diarrhea is caused by a bacteria or toxin should not be given loperamide, so it is important to see your vet for advice and dosing on this medication. Bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate) has also been used for diarrhea in dogs, but also check with your vet for a proper dose. These drugs should NEVER be used in cats, as they contain salicylates (aspirin-like agents) which can be fatal. Severe or prolonged diarrhea (> 1 day) may need emergency treatment. Fireworks, Thunder, or Other Anxieties? We humans are all too familiar with the stress and anxieties of everyday life. But dogs can get anxious, too. Dogs can become fearful or anxious due to a new environment, or from psychological or physical changes. Signs of stress of anxiety might include excessive barking, changes in appetite, licking or biting, aggression, hiding, trembling, panting and restlessness, among others. First try to minimize stress in your dogs life, give them plenty of daily love, exercise, and fresh food and water. Consult with your vet to rule out medical causes of stress. Medications are avoided if possible, but some drug treatments your vet might prescribe as a last resort include: clomipramine (Clomicalm), fluoxetine (Prozac), or amitriptyline (Elavil). Sileo (dexmedetomidine) is a drug specifically for anxiety in dogs caused by fireworks or other noises. It's Your Responsibility: Keep Pets Safe Your pet loves you unconditionally, so do the same for them: ask your vet about any human medication before you give it to your best friend. Human medications are NOT always safe for pets. Ultimately, your pet relies on you to make the right decisions about drug treatments and to prevent medication errors . Owners should keep human medicines away from pets (for example, do not leave out on a nightstand ), place pill bottles high up on a counter, and pick up dropped medications immediately. Always consult with your vet about OTC use of drugs for pets, and keep emergency contact numbers -- including emergency night clinics and the Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435) -- close-by. Finished: Is it Safe to Give Human Medicine to Pets? NEXT UP It s Buggin Me! How to Safely Use an Insect Repellent The summer is prime time for fun and sun -- but it s also the time that crawling bugs and flying pests return. Look through our top 15 questions about insect DON'T MISS Seasonal Allergies: Top Prevention Tips Here, review how to safely pick the allergy medicine that may be right for you. View all slides as one page Print this page Sources Wolff A, DVM. Your dog's medicine cabinet. September 16, 2015. PetPlace. Accessed July 29, 2017 at http://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/first-aid-for-dogs/nursing-care-for-sick-dogs/your-dogs-medicine-cabinet U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Pain Medicine for Pets: Know the Risks. Consumer Health Information. Accessed July 29, 2017 at https://www.drugs.com/fda-consumer/pain-medicines-for-pets-know-the-risks-280.html U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Medication Errors Happen to Pets, Too. Consumer Health Information. Accessed July 29, 2017 at https://www.drugs.com/fda-consumer/medication-errors-happen-to-pets-too-233.html Khuly P, DVM. My Top 10 List of Over-the-Counter Human Meds That Can Be Used on Pets. Vetstreet.com. Accessed July 29, 2017 at http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/my-top-10-list-of-over-the-counter-human-meds-that-can-be-used-on-pets} FDA Consumer Updates Depression: FDA-Approved Medications May Help Dealing with ADHD: What You Need to Know Making Decisions for Your Health: Getting the Info You Need FDA: Cutting-Edge Technology Sheds Light on Antibiotic Resistance More FDA updates} } beat back
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