Veterinary Drug Classifications and Uses

Acepromazine

Phenothiazine tranquilizer; Sedation, antiemetic, pre-anesthetic

Acetaminophen

Non-narcotic analgesic; Pain and fever in humans; toxic to cats and dogs

Albon

Sulfonamide antibiotic (sulfadimethoxine); Treats coccidiosis in dogs and cats

Amikacin

Aminoglycoside antibiotic; Treats serious Gram-negative bacterial infections

Amoxicillin

Broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic; Treats various bacterial infections

Ampicillin

Penicillin-type antibiotic; Broad-spectrum bacterial infections

Apomorphine

Emetic agent (dopamine agonist); Induces vomiting in dogs

Aspirin

NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug); Pain relief, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet (caution in cats)

Atropine

Anticholinergic; Pre-anesthetic, treats bradycardia, antidote for organophosphate poisoning

Banamine

NSAID (Flunixin meglumine); Pain and inflammation in horses and cattle

Baytril

Fluoroquinolone antibiotic (Enrofloxacin); Treats various bacterial infections in small and large animals

Butorphanol

Opioid analgesic, antitussive; Pain relief, cough suppressant, pre-anesthetic

Carprofen

NSAID; Pain and inflammation in dogs (esp. osteoarthritis)

Cephalexin

Cephalosporin antibiotic; Skin infections, urinary tract infections

Chloramphenicol

Broad-spectrum antibiotic; Serious infections, crosses blood-brain barrier (caution: aplastic anemia in humans)

Cimetidine

H2 receptor antagonist; Reduces gastric acid production, treats ulcers

Chlorpromazine

Phenothiazine tranquilizer; Antiemetic, sedative

Clavamox

Amoxicillin + Clavulanic acid; Broad-spectrum bacterial infections (esp. resistant strains)

Clomipramine

Tricyclic antidepressant; Treats separation anxiety and compulsive behaviors in dogs

Cyclosporine

Immunosuppressant; Treats immune-mediated diseases and dry eye (KCS)

Dexamethasone

Glucocorticoid (steroid); Anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressant

Diazepam

Benzodiazepine; Anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, muscle relaxant, appetite stimulant

Digitalis

Cardiac glycoside; Congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation

Diltiazem

Calcium channel blocker; Treats arrhythmias and hypertension

Diphenhydramine

Antihistamine; Allergic reactions, motion sickness, mild sedation

Doxycycline

Tetracycline antibiotic; Tick-borne diseases, respiratory infections

DMSO

Anti-inflammatory solvent; Topical anti-inflammatory and carrier for other drugs

Diphenoxylate

Antidiarrheal (opioid derivative); Treats diarrhea by slowing intestinal motility

DSS

Stool softener (Docusate Sodium); Relieves constipation

EDTA

Chelating agent; Treats lead poisoning, flushes calcium from tissues.

Enalapril

ACE inhibitor; Treats heart failure and hypertension

Enrofloxacin

Fluoroquinolone antibiotic; Broad-spectrum antibacterial

Epsiprantel

Anticestodal agent; Treats tapeworms

Fenbendazole

Anthelmintic (broad-spectrum dewormer); Treats roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and some tapeworms

Fentanyl

Opioid analgesic; Severe pain relief, commonly used in patches

Furosemide

Loop diuretic; Treats edema, heart failure, pulmonary congestion

Griseofulvin

Antifungal; Treats dermatophytes (ringworm)

Halothane

Inhalant anesthetic; General anesthesia (less commonly used today)

Heparin

Anticoagulant; Prevents blood clot formation

Hydrocodone

Opioid analgesic & antitussive; Pain relief and cough suppression

Hydrocortisone

Glucocorticoid (topical/systemic); Anti-inflammatory for skin and systemic issues

Isoproterenol

Beta-adrenergic agonist; Bronchodilation, cardiac stimulant for bradyarrhythmias

Keflin

Cephalosporin antibiotic; Broad-spectrum antibiotic for bacterial infections

Ketamine

Dissociative anesthetic; Induction agent, analgesia, short surgical procedures

Levothyroxine

Thyroid hormone replacement; Treats hypothyroidism

Lidocaine

Local anesthetic, antiarrhythmic; Local numbing, ventricular arrhythmias

Lorazepam

Benzodiazepine; Sedation, anxiety, seizures

Mannitol

Osmotic diuretic; Reduces intracranial and intraocular pressure

Marbofloxacin

Fluoroquinolone antibiotic; Broad-spectrum antibiotic, used in dogs and cats

Methocarbamol

Muscle relaxant; Treats muscle spasms, tremors, especially from toxicities

Metoclopramide

Prokinetic, antiemetic; Increases GI motility, prevents vomiting

Omeprazole

Proton pump inhibitor; Reduces gastric acid production, ulcers and reflux

Oxacillin

Penicillinase-resistant penicillin; Treats staphylococcal infections

Oxymorphone

Opioid analgesic; Moderate to severe pain relief

Oxytocin

Hormone; Stimulates uterine contractions and milk letdown

Morphine

Opioid analgesic; Severe pain, pre-anesthetic

Nandrolone

Anabolic steroid; Increases appetite, weight gain, red blood cell production

Naloxone

Opioid antagonist; Reversal of opioid overdose

Penicillin

Beta-lactam antibiotic; Gram-positive bacterial infections

Pentobarbital

Barbiturate; Euthanasia, sedation, seizure control

Phenobarbital

Barbiturate anticonvulsant; Long-term seizure control in dogs and cats

Phenylbutazone

NSAID; Pain and inflammation in horses

Phenylpropanolamine

Sympathomimetic (adrenergic agonist); Treats urinary incontinence in dogs

Piperazine

Anthelmintic; Treats roundworms

Potassium bromide

Anticonvulsant; Seizure control (usually with phenobarbital)

Praziquantel

Anticestodal; Treats tapeworms

Prednisolone

Glucocorticoid; Anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressant

Progesterone

Hormone; Estrus suppression, behavioral control, hormone therapy

Pyrantel pamoate

Anthelmintic; Treats roundworms and hookworms

Quinidine

Antiarrhythmic; Treats atrial and ventricular arrhythmias

Ranitidine

H2 receptor antagonist; Decreases stomach acid, treats ulcers (less used now, replaced by famotidine)

Streptomycin

Aminoglycoside antibiotic; Treats Gram-negative bacterial infections (limited use due to toxicity)

Sulfadimethoxine

Sulfonamide antibiotic; Treats coccidia and other bacterial infections

Tetracycline

Tetracycline-class antibiotic; Broad-spectrum, especially tick-borne diseases

Theophylline

Bronchodilator; Treats bronchoconstriction in respiratory disease

Tropicamide

Mydriatic (cholinergic antagonist); Dilates pupils for eye exams

Xylazine

Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist; Sedation, analgesia, emesis in cats

Yohimbine

Alpha-2 antagonist; Reversal agent for xylazine sedation