These are the top seven drug classes that may need to be tapered to avoid physiologic withdrawal syndrome and/or disease relapse in dogs and cats, writes Katrina L. Mealey, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP. She provides helpful guidance on when and how to taper different medications.
It was really helpful that there was such specific guidance, like percentage over a number of weeks, for some of these drugs . . .” – Dr. Amy M., Daily Rounds
Source: Clinician’s Brief, May 2024. Link.The top 7 drug classes that may need to be tapered include:
- Corticosteroids
- Immunosuppressants other than corticosteroids
- Anticonvulsants
- Proton pump inhibitors
- Sympatholytics (alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists)
- Opioids
- Behavior-modifying drugs
INSIGHTS: Providing clear, concise, written tapering instructions is critical for client adherance to tapering drugs correctly when done at home.
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