Intentional misuse after Trazodone in dogs

The FDA has received 46 reports of intentional misuse in dogs after Trazodone. That is 1.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

46Reports

83%Marked serious

15%Recovered

20%Died or euthanised

11 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

9 24%

1–2 days

7 18%

3–7 days

2 5.3%

1–4 weeks

6 16%

Over a month

14 37%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 15%

Still unwell when reported

24 52%

Died

6 13%

Euthanised

3 6.5%

Not known

6 13%

Problems reported at the same time

Loss of appetite

16 35%

Didn't work as expected

13 28%

11 24%

10 22%

9 20%

8 17%

Abnormal radiograph finding

6 13%

Breathing problems

6 13%

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 intentional misuse in dogs?: 46 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 11 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).

Intentional misuse with similar medicines

Intentional misuse after Gabapentin 178 reports · 2.0% of its reports

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