Behaviour change after Trazodone in dogs

152 reports to the FDA describe behaviour change in dogs given Trazodone. That is 6.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.5% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

152Reports

53%Marked serious

20%Recovered

15%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

37 33%

1–2 days

16 14%

3–7 days

7 6.2%

1–4 weeks

21 19%

Over a month

32 28%

How the animals did

Recovered

30 20%

Still unwell when reported

66 43%

Died

7 4.6%

Euthanised

16 11%

Not known

33 22%

Problems reported at the same time

39 26%

35 23%

33 22%

26 17%

Restlessness or agitation

25 16%

Death

23 15%

Liver problems

22 14%

Anxiety

21 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Trazodone reduces anxiety and stress.

Questions owners ask

Can Trazodone cause behaviour change in dogs?: 152 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 4 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Behaviour change with similar medicines

Behaviour change after Gabapentin 432 reports · 4.8% of its reports
Behaviour change after Selegiline (Anipryl) 165 reports · 4.0% of its reports
Behaviour change after Fluoxetine 231 reports · 8.9% of its reports
Behaviour change after Clomipramine (Clomicalm) 170 reports · 11% of its reports

All reported side effects of Trazodone in dogs · Medicines most reported with behaviour change