780 APPENDIX B DRUG FORMULARY
Drug name (trade orother names)Pharmacology andindicationsAdverse effects andprecautionsDosing information andcommentsFormulationsDosage (unlessotherwise indicated,dose is the same fordogs and cat)Hydroxyurea (Hydrea)Antineoplastic agent.Used in combination withother anticancermodalities for treatmentof certain tumors. Hasbeen used to treatpolycythemia vera.Only limited use inveterinary medicine. Noadverse effects have beenreported. In people,hydroxyurea causesleukopenia, anemia,thrombocytopenia.Limited use in veterinarymedicine.500 mg capsules. Dog: 50 mg/kg po q24h,3 days/week.Cat: 25 mg/kg po q24h,3 days/week.Hydroxyzine (Atarax)Antihistamine of thepiperazine class. Usedprimarily to treat pruritusin animals.Side effects of therapy arerelated primarily toantihistamine effects.Sedation occurs in someanimals.Clinical studies have shownhydroxyzine to be somewhateffective for treatment ofpruritus in dogs.10, 25, 50 mgtablets; 2 mg/mLoral solution.Dog: 1–2 mg/kg q6–8hIM, po.Cat: safe dose notestablished.Ibuprofen (Motrin,Advil, Nuprin)NSAID. Producesantiinflammatory actionvia inhibition ofprostaglandins.Safe doses have not beenestablished for dogs andcats. Vomiting and severeGI ulceration andhemorrhage have beenreported in dogs.Avoid use, especially in dogs. 200, 400, 600,800 mg tablets.Safe dose not established.Imipenem (Primaxin)β-lactam antibiotic withbroad-spectrum activity.Action is similar to otherβ-lactams except thatimipenem is the mostactive of allβ-lactams.Used primarily for serious,multiple-resistantinfections.Allergic reactions mayoccur withβ-lactamantibiotics. With rapidinfusion or in patientswith renal insufficiency,neurotoxicity may occur(seizures). Vomiting andnausea are possible. IM orSC injections may causepain in dogs.Reserve the use of this drugfor only resistant, refractoryinfections. Observemanufacturer’s instructionscarefully for properadministration. For IVadministration, add to IVfluids. For IM administration,add 2 mL lidocaine (1%);suspension is stable for only1h.250 or 500 mgvials for injection.3–10 mg/kg q6–8h IV, SCor IM; usually 5 mg/kgq6–8h IV, IM, or SC.