Skip to main content

Alprazolam

Xanax

Calculate dosage
Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Drug Class

Behavioral

Routes

PO

Indications

AnxietyNoise phobiapanic anxietyurine spraying

Mechanism of Action

Enhances GABA-A receptor activity by binding benzodiazepine site, increasing chloride conductance. Anxiolytic, sedative, and anticonvulsant.

Side effects & warnings

DEA Schedule IV. Paradoxical excitement possible in some animals. Hepatic metabolism. Dependence with chronic use — taper to discontinue. Cats: idiosyncratic hepatic necrosis (rare).

Species with Alprazolam dosing data (2 dose rules)

Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)

Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs

Controlled Substance

Controlled substance

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Moderate×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by a published source

  • · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

SpeciesRouteDoseFrequencyEvidenceSource
Dog (Domestic)PO0.01–0.1 mg/kgq4-12h as neededModeratePlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Cat (Domestic)PO0.0125–0.025 mg/kgq12hModeratePlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Upgrade for Full Details

Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.

View Plans

More Behavioral drugs

Calculate Dosage for Alprazolam