Top Ten Human Medications that are Toxic for your Dog

Venlafaxine, also known by the brand name Effexor, is a popular antidepressant. For you. In an animal, it can cause agitation, tremors and even seizures. The AVMA notes that cats, especially, like to eat these, but they would likely cause trouble for your dog, as well.

Duloxetine, the generic name for Cymbalta, is also an antidepressant and causes the same problem for your dog as Venlafaxine can.

Naproxen, found in Aleve and Naprosyn, can cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure if given to a dog. The best pain reliever for a dog is plain old aspirin.

Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, can cause liver damage and can render a dog’s red blood cells ineffective at carrying oxygen to the body’s organs.

Clonazepam (Klonipin) helps prevent convulsions, insomnia, and anxiety in humans. In dogs, the drug will not only make your dog fall asleep, it may also lower his blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Zolpidem, which makes up Ambien, is a sleep aid. Now think about where you take a sleeping pill. Many people set it on the night stand so they don’t have to get out of bed at midnight when they haven’t been able to fall asleep. Most dogs can easily reach the top of the nightstand to steal whatever they find there. Dogs who ingest Zolpidem will become very agitated and their heart rates will become dangerously fast.

Adderall/ is actually a mixture of four different amphetamines. In kids with ADHD, it can help slow them down. In dogs, however, it has the stimulant effect you might expect from amphetamines. The dog’s heart rate and temperature rise, and they may develop seizures after eating Adderall.

Alprazolam is the generic name for Xanax, one of the leading anti-anxiety prescriptions used in the United States. Your dog may have problems keeping her legs under her if she takes Alprazolam, or she may become paradoxically hyperactive. Large doses can cause a scary drop in blood pressure. Another drug you should not leave out on the nightstand.

Tramadol, also known as Ultram, is another type of pain reliever. At small doses, it can be used for dogs, but the dose taken by humans is too high for your dog and can cause agitation, disorientation, vomiting, and maybe even seizures.

Ibuprofen, found in Advil and Motrin, is the most common human drug that dogs eat. The outer coating meant to lessen stomach upset is sweet enough to appeal to your dog’s taste buds, but too much ibuprofen can cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure.