Alprazolam

What is this medication for?

• Panic reactions, storm/noise phobia, separation anxiety (adjunct to behavior modification)
• Anxiety disorders

How is it given?

Give exactly as your veterinarian prescribed — never change the dose or stop on your own unless your veterinarian has told you to.

What if I miss a dose?

• Give it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for the next dose (then skip the missed one; never double up).
• Call your clinic if you miss more than one dose in a row.

Side effects — what should I watch for?

Effects listed as common in this handout

• Sedation, wobbliness/unsteadiness (Common)
• Paradoxical excitement/aggression (Documented — the benzodiazepine wildcard)
• Physical dependence + withdrawal (Chronic dosing — taper)
• May impede learning/training (Behavioral-therapy conflict)

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Any new symptom that worries you.

⚠️ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice

• Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, facial swelling, or pale gums

Before starting (or refilling), tell your veterinarian if your pet:

• has or has had: Aggressive dogs — disinhibition may release aggression (anxiety can be the brake)
• has or has had: Hepatic/renal disease; glaucoma (class); abrupt withdrawal after chronic use

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • Other CNS depressants, antihistamines
  • Erythromycin/CYP3A4 inhibitors
  • Flumazenil

Storage and handling

Schedule into a vein controlled substance — dispensing records/locks apply.

Good to know

• Event-medication logic: dose 60 min BEFORE the trigger (storm, car ride, fireworks) — as needed after the panic starts is fighting late.
• The aggressive-patient paradox cuts both ways: benzos relieve anxiety but can disinhibit — most behaviorists avoid them as monotherapy in aggressive dogs.
• C-into a vein bookkeeping in pharmacy + paradoxical-reaction counseling are the dispensing pair.
• Taper chronic users (weeks of therapy) — feline/human withdrawal seizures documented for the class.