Hyperkalaemia after Trazodone in dogs

The FDA has received 29 reports of hyperkalaemia 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.

29Reports

59%Marked serious

6.9%Recovered

31%Died or euthanised

88 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

2 10%

1–2 days

2 10%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

2 10%

Over a month

14 70%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 3.4%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 3.4%

Still unwell when reported

4 14%

Died

1 3.4%

Euthanised

8 28%

Not known

14 48%

Problems reported at the same time

16 55%

13 45%

11 38%

11 38%

9 31%

8 28%

Low sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio)

8 28%

Didn't work as expected

7 24%

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 hyperkalaemia in dogs?: 29 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 88 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).

Hyperkalaemia with similar medicines

Hyperkalaemia after Gabapentin 110 reports · 1.2% of its reports
Hyperkalaemia after Selegiline (Anipryl) 37 reports · 0.9% of its reports

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