Medication safety library

Medication Safety for Dogs

Human and veterinary medications, what happens when a dog gets into one, and which medicines a vet may prescribe. Start with your situation when the label is unclear.

Search by generic or brand name. Zyrtec finds cetirizine; Keppra finds levetiracetam.

Urgent exposure

If your dog swallowed a medication, call now.

Do not wait for symptoms or induce vomiting unless a veterinary professional tells you to. Keep the packet or prescription bottle nearby: the strength, amount, and time are what make the advice specific.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control(888) 426-4435 Pet Poison Helpline(855) 764-7661

Available 24/7. A consultation fee may apply.

Start here

Choose the situation that matches yours.

My dog ate a medicationAn accidental exposure. Call first, then work through what the vet or poison-control line will ask: the drug, the strength, how many, and how long ago.What to do right now Can a vet prescribe this to my dog?A drug you are considering, or one your vet has already prescribed. Many human medicines do have veterinary uses, always at a dose a vet sets rather than one scaled down from a human packet.Drugs vets do prescribe to dogs My dog got an extra dose of its own prescriptionThe drug is right for your dog; the extra dose is the problem. Do not give the next scheduled dose until you have spoken to the practice that prescribed it.Common prescriptions and double doses

Browse the database

Browse by medication family.

Drug families usually cause similar problems and lead to similar veterinary questions, so this can be a more useful starting point than the exact name on the packet.

Pain relievers and NSAIDs

The largest single cause of medication poisoning in dogs. Human painkillers are not scaled-down dog doses, and dogs have their own licensed NSAIDs for a reason.

Read the full guide: Pain Medications Toxic to Dogs

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💊IbuprofenEmergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Advil, Motrin, NurofenSevere risk 💊AcetaminophenEmergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Tylenol, paracetamol, PanadolSevere risk 💊NaproxenEmergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Aleve, Naprosyn, AnaproxSevere risk 💊AspirinNever give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Bayer, Ecotrin, BufferinModerate risk 💊BuprenorphineNever give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Buprenex, Simbadol, BelbucaModerate risk 💊HydromorphoneNever give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Dilaudid, ExalgoSevere risk 💊Fentanyl PatchEmergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Duragesic, RecuvyraSevere risk

Allergy, cold and cough medication

Almost all of these are combination products. The decongestant hiding behind a '-D' suffix is usually the real hazard, not the antihistamine on the front of the box.

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🤧Cold & Flu MedicineThe exact product decides the riskAlso sold as NyQuil, DayQuil, SudafedSevere risk 💊Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Sudafed, Sudafed 12 Hour, the '-D' in Claritin-D, Zyrtec-D, Allegra-DSevere risk 💊Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM)The exact product decides the riskAlso sold as Robitussin DM, Delsym, the 'DM' in many cough productsSevere risk

Antidepressants and anxiety medication

Common in the house and genuinely dangerous, with the added confusion that vets prescribe several of these to dogs for behavioral conditions.

Read the full guide: Dog Ate Antidepressants, Stimulants or Sleep Medication

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💊AntidepressantsEmergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Zoloft (sertraline), Prozac (fluoxetine), Lexapro (escitalopram)Severe risk 💊Sertraline (Zoloft)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Zoloft, LustralModerate risk 💊Bupropion (Wellbutrin)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XLSevere risk 💊Venlafaxine (Effexor)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Effexor, Effexor XR, VenlalicSevere risk 💊Duloxetine (Cymbalta)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Cymbalta, YentreveSevere risk 💊Escitalopram (Lexapro)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Lexapro, Cipralex, citalopram (Celexa) is closely relatedModerate risk 💊Paroxetine (Paxil)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Paxil, Seroxat, BrisdelleModerate risk 💊Amitriptyline (Elavil)Never give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Elavil, Endep, VanatripSevere risk 💊Clomipramine (Clomicalm)Prescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Clomicalm, AnafranilModerate risk 💊Mirtazapine (Remeron)Prescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Remeron, Mirataz (veterinary transdermal), ZispinModerate risk 💊Selegiline (Anipryl)Prescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Anipryl, Eldepryl, Emsam patchModerate risk 💊Diazepam (Valium)Never give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Valium, Diastat, DiazemulsModerate risk 💊Clonazepam (Klonopin)Never give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Klonopin, Rivotril, Clonazepam ODTModerate risk 💊Lorazepam (Ativan)Never give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Ativan, Temesta, OrfidalModerate risk

ADHD stimulants and sleep aids

Small amounts matter here, and the extended-release versions keep releasing for hours, so a dog that looks settled early can deteriorate later.

Read the full guide: Dog Ate Antidepressants, Stimulants or Sleep Medication

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💊ADHD MedicationEmergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Adderall, Ritalin, ConcertaSevere risk 💊Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Ritalin, Concerta, Daytrana patchSevere risk 💊Atomoxetine (Strattera)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as StratteraSevere risk 💊Modafinil (Provigil)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Provigil, Nuvigil (armodafinil), AlertecSevere risk

Heart and blood-pressure medication

Usually a pill dropped from a daily organizer. Blood pressure falling, heart rate changing, and with the anticoagulants, bleeding that starts out invisible.

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💊Amlodipine (Norvasc)Never give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Norvasc, Istin, Amlodipine besylateSevere risk 💊Lisinopril (Zestril)Human formulation: not for unsupervised useAlso sold as Zestril, Prinivil, Zestoretic (with a diuretic)Moderate risk 💊Enalapril (Enacard)Prescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Enacard, Vasotec, InnovaceModerate risk 💊LosartanHuman formulation: not for unsupervised useAlso sold as CozaarModerate risk 💊ValsartanHuman formulation: not for unsupervised useAlso sold as Diovan, Entresto (with sacubitril)Moderate risk 💊Metoprolol (Lopressor)Never give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Lopressor, Toprol-XL, BetalocSevere risk 💊Atenolol (Tenormin)Never give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Tenormin, Tenoretic (with a diuretic)Severe risk 💊Propranolol (Inderal)Never give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Inderal, Inderal LA, HemangeolSevere risk 💊Diltiazem (Cardizem)Never give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Cardizem, Cardizem CD, Dilacor XRSevere risk 💊Verapamil (Calan)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Calan, Calan SR, IsoptinSevere risk 💊Digoxin (Lanoxin)Never give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Lanoxin, Digitek, Digoxin pediatric elixirSevere risk 💊Clonidine (Catapres)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Catapres, Kapvay, Catapres-TTS patchSevere risk 💊Furosemide (Lasix)Prescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Lasix, Salix, FrusemideModerate risk 💊Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)Prescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Microzide, HCTZ, HydrodiurilModerate risk 💊SpironolactonePrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Aldactone, Cardalis (with benazepril)Mild risk 💊WarfarinEmergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Coumadin, JantovenSevere risk 💊ApixabanEmergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as EliquisSevere risk 💊RivaroxabanEmergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as XareltoSevere risk 💊ClopidogrelNever give without veterinary directionAlso sold as PlavixModerate risk 💊AtorvastatinHuman formulation: not for unsupervised useAlso sold as LipitorMild risk 💊SimvastatinHuman formulation: not for unsupervised useAlso sold as ZocorMild risk 💊RosuvastatinHuman formulation: not for unsupervised useAlso sold as CrestorMild risk

Diabetes, hormones and vitamins

Insulin and the diabetes tablets act fast on blood sugar. The supplements are the opposite: iron and vitamin D build over hours or days, which is what makes them easy to underestimate.

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💊InsulinAn accidental extra dose can be dangerousAlso sold as Vetsulin, ProZinc, LantusSevere risk 💊Glipizide (Glucotrol)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL, MinidiabSevere risk 💊SemaglutideHuman formulation: not for unsupervised useAlso sold as Ozempic, Wegovy, RybelsusModerate risk 💊Prednisone (Prednisolone)Prescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Prednisolone, Deltasone, RayosMild risk 💊DexamethasonePrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Decadron, Dexasone, AziumModerate risk 💊Vitamin DEmergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as cholecalciferol, vitamin D3, ergocalciferolSevere risk 💊Iron SupplementsEmergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous fumarateModerate risk

Seizure, nerve and muscle medication

Sedation and wobbliness are the usual picture, and several of these are drugs your own vet prescribes. Lamotrigine is the exception and is treated as an emergency.

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💊PregabalinNever give without veterinary directionAlso sold as LyricaModerate risk 💊LevetiracetamPrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Keppra, Keppra XR, Elepsia XRMild risk 💊TopiramateNever give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Topamax, Trokendi XR, Qudexy XRModerate risk 💊LamotrigineEmergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as LamictalSevere risk 💊MethocarbamolPrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Robaxin, Robaxin-VMild risk 💊BaclofenEmergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Lioresal, Ozobax, FleqsuvySevere risk 💊TizanidineNever give without veterinary directionAlso sold as ZanaflexModerate risk

Steroids, immunosuppressants and skin treatments

Creams count. A licked hand or a chewed tube delivers far more drug than owners expect, and the chemotherapy creams are the most dangerous things in this group.

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💊Prednisone (Prednisolone)Prescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Prednisolone, Deltasone, RayosMild risk 💊DexamethasonePrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Decadron, Dexasone, AziumModerate risk 💊MethotrexateEmergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Trexall, Otrexup, RasuvoSevere risk 💊Azathioprine (Imuran)Never give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Imuran, AzasanSevere risk 💊Mycophenolate (CellCept)Never give without veterinary directionAlso sold as CellCept, Myfortic, mycophenolate mofetilSevere risk 💊Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Plaquenil, Quineprox, chloroquine is closely relatedSevere risk 💊ColchicineEmergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Colcrys, Mitigare, GloperbaSevere risk 💊Fluorouracil Cream (5-FU)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Efudex, Carac, FluoroplexSevere risk 💊Minoxidil (Rogaine)Emergency exposure: call nowAlso sold as Rogaine, Regaine, Loniten (oral tablets)Severe risk 💊LidocaineNever give without veterinary directionAlso sold as Xylocaine, Lidoderm patch, SolarcaineSevere risk

Stomach and digestive medication

The group owners most often reach for on their own, which is the problem: most canine stomach upset is not an acid problem, and treating it at home delays finding out what is.

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💊TumsNever give without veterinary directionAlso sold as calcium carbonate, Rolaids (different salts), Tums UltraMild risk 💊Omeprazole (Prilosec)Prescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Prilosec, GastroGard, LosecMild risk 💊OndansetronPrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Zofran, ZuplenzMild risk

Antibiotics and antifungals

Mostly drugs your vet may already have prescribed. A dog being on one of these is routine; the reason to call is an amount well beyond the prescription.

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💊AmoxicillinPrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Amoxil, Clavamox (with clavulanate), Augmentin (human, with clavulanate)Mild risk 💊CephalexinPrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Keflex, RilexineMild risk 💊DoxycyclinePrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Vibramycin, Doryx, RonaxanMild risk 💊MetronidazolePrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Flagyl, Metrogel (topical)Moderate risk 💊AzithromycinPrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Zithromax, Z-PakMild risk 💊FluconazolePrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as DiflucanMild risk 💊KetoconazolePrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as NizoralModerate risk

Veterinary prescriptions and accidental double doses

Your dog's own medication, given twice or found on the floor. The drug is right for your dog; the extra dose is the problem.

Read the full guide: Dog Ate an Extra Dose of Its Own Prescription

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💊Apoquel (Oclacitinib)Prescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Oclacitinib, Apoquel ChewableMild risk 💊OndansetronPrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Zofran, ZuplenzMild risk 💊SildenafilPrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Viagra, RevatioMild risk 💊LevetiracetamPrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Keppra, Keppra XR, Elepsia XRMild risk 💊MethocarbamolPrescribed to dogs: use only as directedAlso sold as Robaxin, Robaxin-VMild risk

Other medications

Pages that do not sit neatly in one medication family.

Sources & accuracy

These pages are compiled from veterinary poison-control and medical references, including the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Pet Poison Helpline, Merck Veterinary Manual, and FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. They are educational information, not a diagnosis, dose, or substitute for your veterinarian. Read our sources and review policy.

Not sure what your dog swallowed?Our emergency guide walks through the first ten minutes and links the medication families on this page.