Elevated cholesterol (total) after Trazodone in dogs

The FDA has received 28 reports of elevated cholesterol (total) in dogs after Trazodone. That is 1.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

28Reports

82%Marked serious

3.6%Recovered

14%Died or euthanised

116 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

0 0.0%

1–2 days

0 0.0%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

5 22%

Over a month

18 78%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 3.6%

Still unwell when reported

9 32%

Died

1 3.6%

Euthanised

3 11%

Not known

14 50%

Problems reported at the same time

17 61%

13 46%

10 36%

10 36%

9 32%

8 29%

8 29%

Abnormal ultrasound finding

8 29%

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 elevated cholesterol (total) in dogs?: 28 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 116 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).

Elevated cholesterol (total) with similar medicines

Elevated cholesterol (total) after Gabapentin 95 reports · 1.1% of its reports
Elevated cholesterol (total) after Selegiline (Anipryl) 29 reports · 0.7% of its reports
Elevated cholesterol (total) after Clomipramine (Clomicalm) 30 reports · 2.0% of its reports

All reported side effects of Trazodone in dogs · Medicines most reported with elevated cholesterol (total)