Human medications can be harmful to pets

Owners advised to keep drugs in safe place to avoid poisonings

Pet owners who are serious about pet-proofing their home should start with their own medicine cabinet.

Nearly half of the calls received by Pet Poison Helpline, a 24-hour service available for pet owners and veterinary professionals, involve human medications, both over-the-counter and prescription.

Whether Fido accidentally chewed into a pill bottle or a well-intentioned owner accidently gave his pet a human medication, pet poisonings are common and can be serious.

If a pet has ingested a human medication, call the veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680.

Here is a list of the top human medications most frequently ingested by pets:

--NSAIDs (e.g. Advil, Aleve and Motrin): Common household medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, which includes ibuprofen and naproxen. Even one or two pills can cause serious harm to a pet. Dogs, cats, birds and other small mammals may develop serious stomach and intestinal ulcers as well as kidney failure.

--Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol): Even though this drug is very safe for people, it is not for pets, especially cats. One regular strength tablet of acetaminophen may cause damage to a cat's red blood cells, limiting the ability to carry oxygen. In dogs, acetaminophen leads to liver failure and, in large doses, red blood cell damage.

--Antidepressants (e.g. Effexor, Cymbalta, Prozac, Lexapro): While these drugs are occasionally used in pets, overdoses can lead to serious neurological problems such as sedation, incoordination, tremors and seizures. Some antidepressants also have a stimulant effect leading to a dangerously elevated heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature.

--ADD/ADHD medications (e.g. Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin): These medications contain potent stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. Even minimal ingestions of these medications by pets can cause life-threatening tremors, seizures, elevated body temperatures and heart problems.

--Benzodiazepines and sleep aids (e.g. Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, Lunesta): In pets, these medications may have the opposite effect of reducing anxiety and helping with sleep. About half of the dogs who ingest sleep aids become agitated instead of sedate. In addition, these drugs may cause severe lethargy, incoordination and slowed breathing. In cats, some forms of benzodiazepines can cause liver failure.

--Birth control (e.g. estrogen, estradiol, progesterone): Small ingestions of these medications typically do not cause trouble. However, large ingestions of estrogen and estradiol can cause bone marrow suppression, particularly in birds. Additionally, female pets that are not spayed are at an increased risk of side effects from estrogen poisoning.

--ACE inhibitors (e.g. Zestril, Altace): These are commonly used to treat high blood pressure in people and, occasionally, pets. Though overdoses can cause low blood pressure, dizziness and weakness, these medications are typically safe. Pets ingesting small amounts can potentially be monitored at home, unless they have kidney failure or heart disease.

--Beta-blockers (e.g. Tenormin, Toprol, Coreg): Beta-blockers are also used to treat high blood pressure but, unlike the ACE inhibitor, small ingestions of these drugs may cause serious poisoning in pets. Overdoses can cause life-threatening decreases in blood pressure and a slow heart rate.

--Thyroid hormones (e.g. Armour desiccated thyroid, Synthroid): Pets with underactive thyroids get doses much higher than a human. Therefore, if dogs accidentally get into thyroid hormones at home, it rarely results in problems. However, overdoses in cats and dogs can cause muscle tremors, nervousness, a rapid heart rate and aggression.

--Cholesterol lowering agents (e.g. Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor): These medications, often called "statins," are common. While pets do not typically get high cholesterol, they may still get into the pill bottle. Most ingestions cause mild vomiting or diarrhea. Serious side effects from these drugs come with long-term use, not one-time ingestions.

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