ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/alprazolam
US brand names:Xanax
Alprazolam is dosed at 0.0125–0.025 mg/kg PO q12h in cats, per Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th ed, corpus p.49 = print p.21, Small Animal Dosage - Cats: '0.125 mg per cat q12h PO (half of 0.25-mg tablet) or 0.0125-0.025 mg/kg q12h PO, and up to q8h.'. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Enhances GABA-A receptor activity by binding benzodiazepine site, increasing chloride conductance. Anxiolytic, sedative, and anticonvulsant.
DEA Schedule IV. Paradoxical excitement possible in some animals. Hepatic metabolism. Dependence with chronic use — taper to discontinue. Cats: idiosyncratic hepatic necrosis (rare).
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs
Controlled substance in the US
Controlled-drug status and schedules differ by country — check your local scheduling rules.
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
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.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 0.0125–0.025 mg/kg | q12h | Moderate | Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th ed, corpus p.49 = print p.21, Small Animal Dosage - Cats: '0.125 mg per cat q12h PO (half of 0.25-mg tablet) or 0.0125-0.025 mg/kg q12h PO, and up to q8h.' |
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 0.01–0.1 mg/kg | q4-12h as needed | Moderate | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed, Part A (Canine and Feline), corpus p.29 = print p.13: 'Dogs: For anxiolysis an initial dose within the range of 0.01-0.1 mg/kg p.o. as needed up to 4 times a day is recommended; the dose can be titrated up or down to the minimum effective dose, which may be below this level.' Frequency corroborated by Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs 4th ed, corpus p.49 = print p.21: '0.025-0.1 mg/kg q8h PO. Administration more frequently (q4-6h) has been used in some patients.' |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.