Select Hazardous Drugs of Concern in Veterinary Practice

Select Hazardous Drugs of Concern in Veterinary Practice

Drug Class

Examples

Adverse Health Effects

Anesthetic gases (inhalational agents)

  • Isoflurane

  • Nitrous oxide

  • Sevoflurane

Reproductive toxicosis, neurotoxicosis

Antineoplastic (chemotherapy) agents

  • Chlorambucil

  • Cyclophosphamide

  • Doxorubicin

  • Methotrexate

  • Vincristine/vinblastine

Mutagenic, carcinogenic, teratogenic effects

Antivirals and antimicrobials

  • Chloramphenicol (bone marrow suppression)

  • Ribavirin (teratogenic)

  • Tilmicosin (cardiotoxicosis arrhythmias, sudden death)

See examples

Ectoparasiticides

  • Organophosphate insecticides

Cholinergic toxicosis

Euthanasia agents

  • Pentobarbital

Neurotoxicosis, sedation, respiratory depression, death

Hormonal agents

  • Estrogens (eg, estradiol)

  • Progesterone

  • Testosterone derivatives

  • Thyroid hormones

Endocrine disruption, reproductive effects (infertility, miscarriage), developmental toxicosis

Immunosuppressive agents

  • Azathioprine

  • Cyclosporine

  • Mycophenolate

Increased cancer risk, organ toxicosis, immunosuppression

Injectable anesthetic and sedative agents

  • Carfentanil

  • Etorphine

  • Ketamine

  • Pentobarbital

  • Xylazine

Neurotoxicosis, sedation, respiratory depression, death

Prostaglandins

  • Dinoprost

Bronchospasm, miscarriage

Euthanasia agents

  • Pentobarbital

Neurotoxicosis, sedation, respiratory depression, death