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There are several categories of drugs used to treat disorders of the nervous system: anticonvulsants; tranquilizers, sedatives, and analgesics; and psychotropic agents.
Anticonvulsant Drugs
Anticonvulsant drugs are used to control seizures, including those caused by epilepsy (see Drugs and Vaccines: Common Anticonvulsant Drugs* ). In epilepsy, treatment is essential to prevent overheating, brain damage, and disruption to the body's circulation. During a seizure, also called status epilepticus, anticonvulsants are given intravenously. However, they are usually given by mouth when used for longterm maintenance treatment. These drugs are usually started at a low dose, which is gradually adjusted until control of seizures occurs. To discontinue a drug, even when changing drugs, the dose should be tapered gradually to avoid triggering a seizure.
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| Common Anticonvulsant Drugs* |
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Anticonvulsant Drug
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Animal(s)
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First-line anticonvulsant drugs
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Bromide (potassium salt)
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Dog, cat, horse
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Bromide (sodium salt)
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Diazepam
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Dog, cat, horse
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Phenobarbital
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Dog, cat, horse
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Second-line (add-on) anticonvulsant drugs
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Clonazepam
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Dog
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Clorazepate
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Dog
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Felbamate
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Dog
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Gabapentin
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Dog
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Levetiracetam
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Dog
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Topiramate
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Dog
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Valproic acid
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Dog
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Zonisamide
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Dog
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*Many of the drugs listed are not directly approved by the FDA for use in the species listed. Veterinarians decide what drug and dosage to use for an animal based on their experience, published reports, and continuing education.
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Tranquilizers, Sedatives, and Analgesics
Tranquilization reduces anxiety and gives a sense of calm without drowsiness. Drug-induced sedation has a more profound effect and produces drowsiness and hypnosis. Analgesia is the reduction of pain, which according to a drug's effect, may be more pronounced in either the body organs or the musculoskeletal system. A number of drugs may be used in animals for tranquilization, sedation, and analgesia (see Drugs and Vaccines: Tranquilizers and Sedatives without Analgesic Effects* and see Drugs and Vaccines: Analgesics*). Many psychotropic drugs can function as either tranquilizers or sedatives according to the dose administered, and many sedatives are also analgesics. Also, drugs classified as tranquilizers, sedatives, or analgesics may have additional uses, such as behavior modification or control of nausea and vomiting.
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| Tranquilizers and Sedatives without Analgesic Effects* |
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Drug
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Animal(s)
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Benzodiazepines
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Diazepam
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Dog, cat, ferret, rabbit, horse
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Midazolam
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Rabbit
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Butyrophenones
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Azaperone
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Horse
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Phenothiazines
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Acepromazine
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Dog, cat, ferret, rabbit, horse
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Chlorpromazine
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Dog, cat, rabbit
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Promazine
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Dog, cat, horse
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Triflupromazine
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Dog, cat, horse
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*Many of the drugs listed are not directly approved by the FDA for use in the species listed. Veterinarians decide what drug and dosage to use for an animal based on their experience, published reports, and continuing education.
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| Analgesics* |
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Drug
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Animal(s)
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Opioid analgesics
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Buprenorphine
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Dog, cat, ferret, rabbit
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Butorphanol
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Dog, cat, ferret, rabbit, horse
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Meperidine
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Dog, cat, ferret, rabbit, horse
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Morphine
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Dog, cat, ferret, rabbit, horse
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Nalbuphine
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Dog, cat, rabbit
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Oxymorphone
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Dog, cat, rabbit, horse
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Pentazocine
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Dog, cat, rabbit, horse
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Nonopioid sedative analgesics
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Detomidine
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Horse
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Xylazine
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Dog, cat, ferret, horse
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Nonpsychotropic analgesics
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Acetaminophen
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Dog
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Aspirin
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Dog, cat, ferret, rabbit, horse
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Carprofen
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Dog, cat, rabbit, horse
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Dipyrone
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Dog, cat, horse
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Firocoxib
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Dog, horse
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Flunixin
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Dog, cat, ferret, rabbit, horse
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Ibuprofen
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Dog, cat, rabbit
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Indomethacin
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Dog, rabbit
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Ketoprofen
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Dog, cat, rabbit, horse
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Meclofenamic acid
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Dog, cat, horse
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Meloxicam
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Dog, cat
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Naproxen
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Dog, horse
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Phenylbutazone
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Dog, cat, horse
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*Many of the drugs listed are not directly approved by the FDA for use in the species listed. Veterinarians decide what drug and dosage to use for an animal based on their experience, published reports, and continuing education.
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Psychotropic Agents
Anxiolytics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers used to treat human behavior disorders are being used more commonly in veterinary medicine as aids to behavior modification treatment. Few veterinary clinical studies have been reported, so guidelines for veterinary use are based on their use in human medicine and on veterinarians' experience in treating pets with these drugs.
Anxiolytics have been used to treat generalized anxiety and panic disorder in humans and may help alleviate or diminish certain fear-related behaviors in animals (for example, thunderstorm anxiety in dogs and social anxiety in cats). Antipsychotics are used for nonselective tranquilization and diminishing behavioral arousal. Mood-stabilizing drugs are used in human medicine to treat bipolar disorder, impulsivity, emotional reactivity, and aggression. They may be used occasionally in animals (for example, to treat fear-related aggression). Antidepressants can be used to treat behavioral disorders, including compulsive behaviors, aggression, and inappropriate elimination. These drugs are classified as tricyclic compounds (tertiary amines, secondary amines), selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, and atypical antidepressants.
Last full review/revision July 2011 by Philip T. Reeves, BVSc, PhD, FACVSc; Jörg M. Steiner, DrMedVet, PhD, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA; Dawn Merton Boothe, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP; Maya M. Scott, BS, DVM; Ian Tizard, BVMS, PhD, DACVM; Jozef Vercruysse, DVM, DEVPC
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