Over-the-Counter Medications
Are over-the-counter medications safe to give to my dog?
While there are many over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can be helpful to your dog, you should never give or use any products without first confirming with your veterinarian that they are safe for your dog. There are several important reasons for this.
The first reason is the dose of the medication may be different for humans than it is for dogs. Veterinary medicines are dosed on your dog’s weight, while human medications are often dosed based on age. You need to know the correct dose to administer to your dog.
The second reason is that certain drugs used together can cause dangerous interactions. Your veterinarian would review your dog’s medical record to prevent any predictable adverse reactions. You could end up making your dog’s existing condition worse.
Thirdly, many OTC medications are NOT safe for all dogs. You should not assume that drugs are safe to give to your dog just because they can be purchased without a prescription. That assumption can result in toxic consequences. Your dog may have a specific condition or reason not to take a medication that might be all right for another dog.
After giving any OTC medication, watch for any reactions to the medication. If you notice any concerning symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Antihistamines – For dogs with allergies, antihistamines can be helpful to relieve itching, redness, sneezing and congestion, as well as the pain and swelling from the reaction to a vaccination or an insect bite. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin) are commonly used antihistamines that relieve allergy symptoms in dogs and humans. These medications work by blocking the effects of histamine, a substance released by the body in response to allergens.
Antihistamines are usually safe for dogs but can make some dogs drowsy and others hyperactive. OTC antihistamines may contain other ingredients, such as decongestants, that are not safe for dogs. Read the label carefully to ensure the product only contains antihistamine. Check with your veterinary health-care team to make sure that the antihistamine you have is suitable for your dog and you know the appropriate dose to administer.
Anti-diarrheals/antacids – The active ingredient of Pepto-Bismol is bismuth subsalicylate. Most people have a bottle of this in the medicine cabinet for digestive upset. While it can be given to your dog to coat an upset stomach, it is best to check with your veterinarian first. The liquid form works the best, but can be challenging to administer. The tablets do not dissolve well in the dog’s stomach. They have the appearance of a stone and can be mistaken for a foreign body on an X-ray.
Kaopectate is another anti-diarrheal that may soothe an upset stomach. It is typically safe when used according to the directions of your veterinarian. Loperamide (Imodium) may be a good treatment for diarrhea in certain cases. Your veterinarian will let you know when it is appropriate to give to your dog. Accurate diagnosis of the cause of the diarrhea will help determine the best course of treatment.
There are no safe OTC anti-vomiting medications for dogs. Giving your vomiting dog these medications can mask symptoms resulting from an obstruction or other serious illness. The dog’s condition may seem to improve over the short term, only to worsen as the temporary effects of the medication wear off.
Antacids such as famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet) and omeprazole (Prilosec) are commonly recommended by veterinarians for gastrointestinal ulceration, especially if the dog is taking steroids, such as prednisone. These medications are used to treat or prevent heartburn in people, and they are effective in dogs as well. By decreasing the production of stomach acid, these medications can make your dog feel better. Your veterinarian may recommend using them intermittently for upset stomachs, but if your dog’s gastric issues persist, see your veterinarian to reassess your dog’s condition.
MiraLAX (unflavored) is another common OTC medication that can be given to dogs to treat short- or long-term constipation at home. MiraLAX is an osmotic laxative. That means it draws water into the colon, which softens the stool and naturally stimulates the colon to contract. These effects help produce a bowel movement.
Proper dosage is necessary to ensure the medication does not cause gastrointestinal upset or excessive diarrhea. For this product, it is important to consult with your veterinarian before using, because if your dog is not completely hydrated, it can actually do more harm than good.
Pumpkin is a more digestible alternative to OTC medications for constipation. Most dogs like the taste. Just be sure to use only pumpkin and not the canned pumpkin-pie filling.
Gas-X can help alleviate gas or early signs of bloat, which is a deadly condition in which the stomach fills up with gas and fluid and becomes dangerously twisted. All large-dog owners should have some Gas-X on hand.
Steroid sprays, creams and gels – OTC steroid preparations contain a lower percentage of active ingredients than prescription steroids and are usually safe. Steroids decrease the itchiness of insect bites and hot spots; however, they can delay the healing of cuts, especially if the wound is infected. Long-term use can have serious side effects. If your dog’s wound does not look better after a couple of applications, have it examined by your veterinarian.
Topical antibiotic ointment - Neosporin and Bacitracin are topical antibiotic ointments used for treating minor cuts and scrapes of the skin. These products can be used on your dog’s skin, but take care to clean the wound before applying the ointment and cover it, so your dog does not lick the ointment off. This can delay healing and increase the chance of infection. Wounds that show signs of infection, such as redness, swelling or oozing, may require oral antibiotics as well.
Anti-fungal sprays, gels and creams – There are many OTC products for treating human fungal infections, like athlete’s foot and ringworm, commonly contracted from sports equipment. Most fungal infections in dogs are too complicated to be successfully treated with OTC products. Some fungal infections can be transmitted from dogs to humans, so it is important to treat these types of infections quickly and effectively.
Pain medication - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a class of medications used to reduce pain, inflammation and fever in people and dogs. Most OTC NSAIDs are not safe for use in dogs and may have serious side effects. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can cause perforating stomach ulcers. Aspirin is not an effective pain reliever in dogs and may cause thinning of the blood. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Naproxen (Aleve) can cause kidney failure and liver failure.
A human’s metabolism is much different than a dog’s metabolism. Because of this, some medications that are safe for people can be toxic, or even fatal, to dogs. Additionally, the form in which the medication is carried, such as the capsule or additive to make a tablet, might be toxic or harmful to your dog. Just because you have a bottle, jar or tube of something sitting at home does not mean it is safe to give to your dog without consulting your veterinarian first.