Pet Medication 101: Alprazolam It’s important to understand a medication’s uses and side effects before giving it to your pet. This medication info sheet is meant to give you a good understanding of what Xanax (alprazolam) is used for, how it works, and potential side effects in cats and dogs. Always consult a veterinarian before giving your pet any medication. 1. Drug Name: 2. Common Names or Brand Names: 3. How Dispensed: 4. Forms: 5. Drug Type/Class: 6. Uses for Cats and Dogs: 7. How it works: 8. Side Effects and/or Signs of Overdose: 9. Drug Interactions: 10. Cautionary Statements: Read more: Need to speak with a veterinarian regarding your pet’s anxiety or another condition? Are you concerned about your pet?Book a video consultation with an experienced veterinarian within minutes.Professional vet advice onlineLow-cost video vet consultationsOpen 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Book Video Consultation 1. Drug Name:alprazolam2. Common Names or Brand Names:Xanax, Niravam, Alprazolam Intensol3. How Dispensed:Prescription-only4. Forms:0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg, and 3mg tablets; oral suspension5. Drug Type/Class:Benzodiazepine6. Uses for Cats and Dogs:Used off-label in pets to treat anxiety, panic disorders, or phobias (noise/storm phobias, etc.). Also used to treat inappropriate urination in cats. Sometimes used to complement seizure control medications when a pet’s seizures are not well-controlled on a single medication.7. How it works:As a benzodiazepine tranquilizer, alprazolam depresses activity in various areas of the brain. The exact mechanism of sedation and anti-anxiety action is not fully understood.8. Side Effects and/or Signs of Overdose:Heavy sedation, increased appetite, ataxia/abnormal walking (dogs). Increased affection, depression, odd behavior (cats).9. Drug Interactions:CNS depressants, fluoxetine, non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants, cimetidine/Tagamet, itraconazole, propranolol.10. Cautionary Statements:Use caution with liver and kidney disease or in debilitated patientsRead more:Noise Anxiety in Cats and DogsTips for Helping Your Dog with Separation AnxietySeparation Anxiety in CatsNeed to speak with a veterinarian regarding your pet’s anxiety or another condition?Click here to schedule a video consult to speak to one of our vets. You can also download the FirstVet app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Stores.