Intermittent Discontinuation of Trazodone in Cats
Trazodone can be safely stopped intermittently in cats without causing withdrawal effects or rebound anxiety. Based on the available evidence, trazodone has a relatively short duration of action in cats and does not appear to cause dependency issues when used intermittently.
Pharmacokinetic Profile of Trazodone in Cats
- Half-life: Approximately 4-5 hours in cats 1
- Peak plasma concentration: Occurs rapidly (Tmax ~0.17 hours) after oral administration 1
- Sedative effects: Last approximately 8 hours, with some lag between peak plasma concentration and peak sedative effect 1
Safety of Intermittent Use
Trazodone is commonly used as a situational medication in cats, particularly for:
- Reducing anxiety during transport to veterinary visits 2
- Facilitating handling during veterinary examinations 2
- Decreasing stress associated with specific events 3
The research specifically supports using trazodone as a single-dose agent given before stressful events rather than as a continuous medication 2, 4. This inherently involves intermittent administration with periods of discontinuation between doses.
Dosing Considerations for Intermittent Use
- Standard dose: 5 mg/kg orally 5
- For veterinary visits: Single 50-100 mg dose administered 1-2 hours before the stressful event 2, 4
- Combination therapy: Can be used alone or in combination with gabapentin (though recent research suggests trazodone alone at 5 mg/kg provides significant sedation) 5
Important Clinical Considerations
No withdrawal protocol needed: Unlike some psychoactive medications, trazodone does not require tapering when used intermittently in cats.
Monitoring after discontinuation: While not required, observe for return to normal activity levels within 24 hours after discontinuation.
Potential side effects: The most common adverse effect is sleepiness, which resolves as the medication wears off 2.
Physiological parameters: Studies show that trazodone does not cause significant changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, or blood pressure in cats 1.
Timing considerations: For optimal effect, administer 1-2 hours before the anticipated stressful event, as sedative effects may lag behind peak plasma concentration 1.
Clinical Application
For veterinary visits or other stressful events:
- Administer trazodone 1-2 hours before the event
- Allow the medication to wear off naturally after the event
- No special discontinuation protocol is required
- Wait at least 24 hours before administering another dose if needed 1
Trazodone's pharmacokinetic profile in cats supports its use as an "as-needed" medication that can be safely started and stopped based on situational requirements without concerns about withdrawal effects or rebound anxiety.