Oral benzodiazepine

Introduction

Oral benzodiazepines, including Clorazepate (Tranxene), Diazepam (Valium), and Clonazepam (Klonopin), are sedatives that help manage anxiety and treat seizures. They are also occasionally used to facilitate bladder expression in pets with spinal cord injuries.

These medications are commonly prescribed for pets experiencing cluster seizures. Typically, it is recommended to start the medication following a seizure, administering it every 8 hours until your pet has been seizure-free for a full 24 hours. Please refer to your pet's prescription for exact dosing recommendations.

Skeletal formula of Benzodiazepine

Usage Guidelines

Oral benzodiazepines are best used on an emergency or short-term basis. When administered daily over a prolonged period, the body can become accustomed to the medication, reducing its effectiveness. It is crucial to inform your veterinarian if your pet needs this medication for more than five consecutive days or more than one treatment course per month.

Missed doses

If you miss a dose, administer it as soon as you remember, provided it is more than 4 hours until the next scheduled dose. If less than 4 hours remain until the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume the regular schedule with the next dose.

medications

A liver panel is recommended before using these medications. No specific long-term monitoring for benzodiazepines is necessary when used as short-term therapy. However, in the rare instance that this medication is used for seizure control in cats, liver panels are recommended every 3 to 6 months.

Special Precautions

Keep this medication out of reach of pets and small children. Overdosing can cause serious respiratory depression and may necessitate emergency medical intervention.

Potential Side effects

The most common side effect is sedation, which can be excessive in some patients, particularly those who are less tolerant or when combined with other medications. Patients may appear dizzy or have trouble walking. If sedation becomes severe, skip the next dose and consult your veterinarian about reducing the dosage.
This medication may cause hunger, especially in cats.
Use in cats may also lead to serious liver problems; though this side effect is rare, it can be fatal. Therefore, use caution when administering this medication to feline patients.