Top 10 dangerous medications found around the house
Almost anything in the right (or wrong) dose can become extremely dangerous or even deadly. Even something as seemingly harmless as water, given in a high enough quantity, can cause blood cells to become unstable and may lead to serious health consequences. Luckily for us, however, our pets seem smarter than many people and it’s not likely your cat is going to drink eight gallons of water to show off in front of his other feline friends. But some medications can become serious hazards in even extremely small doses. A dose the size of the tip of a needle of certain medications and chemicals can be enough to cause serious harm or even death to a cat or a dog.
The following is a list of the most common human and animal medications that can be extremely dangerous, and are found in many households. This is not a complete list by any stretch of the imagination; hundreds if not thousands of other medications could have also made this list:
- Acetaminophen – e.g. Tylenol
- Fluoxetine – e.g. Prozac
- Acetylsalicylic acid – i.e. Aspirin
- Levothyroxine – e.g. Soloxine, Synthroid
- Diphenhydramine – e.g. Benadryl
- Warfarin – i.e. Coumadin
- Digoxin – e.g. Lanoxin
- Methylphenidate – e.g. Ritalin
- Pseudoephedrine – e.g. Sudafed
- Oral hypoglycemics- e.g. Glucotrol
Today we’ll focus on the most popular product of all, a product that can be found in almost every household in the nation – that product is called acetaminophen. Acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol, among others) is often prescribed to children with fevers and to adults with pain. It is also seen in many combination products such as Vicodin and Tylenol with codeine. Many over-the-counter cough and cold medication such as Nyquil and Dayquil also contain acetaminophen. There is a long list of products that contain acetaminophen, which is why reading the label is very important. If this medication is given in reasonable doses, it has proven pretty safe in humans; however, that does not mean that it is also safe in pets.
Many cats have gone into liver failure after ingesting even a small dose. Within 20 to 30 minutes, acetaminophen levels can be already measured in the blood and can begin causing damage. The first thing that acetaminophen usually attacks is the liver, causing extensive damage and at times this could lead to liver failure. Another thing that happens is potential damage to red blood cells–the blood no longer has the ability to carry oxygen. All cells in the body need oxygen to survive.
Symptoms of acetaminophen toxicity may include fast breathing, stomach pain, the gums may be discolored brown (cells not carrying oxygen properly) or blue (inadequate blood supply). There may be swelling of the extremities, and finally this toxicity could lead to collapse then death.
If you realize that your pet has just ingested acetaminophen, inducing vomiting can remove the drug from the pet’s stomach before absorption. Call the vet immediately. Since absorption occurs so quickly and vomiting might not be enough or fast enough, your veterinarian has a variety of options to prevent further absorption (e.g. activated charcoal). Your pet’s veterinarian also has a variety of medications such as N-acetylcysteine that prevent toxic substances from forming and causing further liver damage. The veterinarian may want to do blood transfusions, place the pet on intravenous fluids, or provide other medications that could help support the liver such as Denamarin tablets. Denamarin contains the antioxidant Silybin which has shown to improve liver function by raising glutathione levels. Glutathione is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from toxins such as the byproducts of acetaminophen metabolism.
Since most cases of acetaminophen toxicity are preventable, the best advice is to childproof your home and place all of your medication someplace safe from both pets and children. Another way to prevent toxicity is to make sure nobody gives your pet any medication without checking with you first. That being said, it is important to know what your pet can and cannot take. Last but not least, if your pet gets into something such as acetaminophen, the most important thing to do for the health of your loving companion is to take him over to the veterinarian. In cases of poisoning, your veterinarian may be able to do some things early on that are not available later after the damage has already occurred.
If you have any medication related questions please don’t hesitate to call your 1800PetMeds pharmacist for assistance.
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Acetaminophen (aka Paracetamol) is also poisonous to humans. Even at prescribed dosages it causes liver damage.
Thank you for your comment eilu, it couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time. Just a few hours ago the FDA recommended that health care professionals discontinue prescribing and dispensing prescription combination drug products that contain more than 325 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen per tablet, capsule or other dosage unit. The FDA is making these recommendations because evidence has shown that severe liver damage has occurred in patients who took more than the prescribed dose, took more than one product containing acetaminophen at the same time, or drank alcohol while taking acetaminophen.
Thanks for bringing this topic up for discussion today Eilu. Have a great day.
You list acetaminophen number 1 on your list. What about other NSAID’s, such as ibuprofen? How do they stack up for pet toxicity. Ibuprofen seems to be the NSAID of choice for many physicians and generally popular forover-the-counter pain relief.
I have given benadryl to my dogs for itchy skin/allergy/when one got stung by a bee , it was always the advice of their Veterinarian to give them 1mg per pound of the dogs weight but I see it on your top 10 list, Is this because its toxic to cats ??
Hi Jackie, diphenhydramine is safe and effective if given in the proper dose. The reason it was included was mainly because it is found in so many homes (used in humans and pets for a variety of reasons) and it could create an overdose danger if given or accidentally ingested in large doses.
My ceasear is a 2 year old chocolate pit and he’s into everything he has been stung all over looks to be fire ants so I Dave him a bath in cool water have him some liquid benedryl and rubbed him down real good with gold Bond medicated powder I pray that will help.
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