Accidental ingestion of alprazolam in 415 dogs

Vet Hum Toxicol. 2002 Feb;44(1):22-3.

Abstract

Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine anti-anxiety agent that acts at the limbic, thalamic, and hypothalamic level of the CNS and has anxioytic. sedative, hypnotic, skeletal muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant properties. A retrospective study was conducted of 415 alprazolam ingestions in dogs reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center between January 1998 and August 2000: 238 suspected alprazolam toxicoses in dogs were evaluated. Clinical signs were ataxia/disorientation, depression, hyperactivity, vomiting, weakness, tremors, vocalization, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypothermia, diarrhea, and increased salivation that developed within 10-30 min post-ingestion. Treatment included standard decontamination procedures, such as emesis and activated charcoal: the specific benzodiazepine antagonist, flumazenil, may be used for severe CNS depression.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alprazolam / poisoning*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / poisoning*
  • Antidotes / therapeutic use
  • Dog Diseases* / chemically induced
  • Dog Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Dog Diseases* / physiopathology
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Flumazenil / therapeutic use
  • Illinois
  • Male
  • Poison Control Centers / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Antidotes
  • Flumazenil
  • Alprazolam