Glycopyrrolate
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Glycopyrrolate for pets in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
Glycopyrrolate for pets
(gly-koe-pye-roe-late)
Description:
This medicine is in a group of drugs that block certain nerve signals in the body.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Robinul®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals:
- an injectable liquid that contains 0.2 mg in each mL.
- For people:
- tablets in 1 mg and 2 mg strengths
- a liquid taken by mouth that contains 1 mg in 5 mL (which is the same as 0.2 mg in each mL).
Key Information
- Because this medicine may make the mouth feel dry, always make sure your pet can reach plenty of fresh, clean water.
- This medicine may be given either with food or without food.
- If your pet throws up or seems unwell when the dose is given on an empty stomach, give the next dose with food or a small treat.
- If throwing up keeps happening, call your veterinarian.
How is this medication useful?
Glycopyrrolate may be used when a heart rate is lower than it should be, and it may also be used to reduce body fluids such as drool or stomach acid. It is sometimes used to manage harmful effects or unwanted effects caused by certain other medicines, including some medicines that relax muscles. Most often, a veterinarian gives glycopyrrolate as a shot, but in some cases it is given by mouth using tablets.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many different factors can change how well this medicine works for your pet. Talk with your veterinarian about the topics below so you can make treatment choices together.
- Some medicines may interact badly with glycopyrrolate.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your pet takes (including vitamins, supplements, and herbal products), and also share how much you give and how often.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your pet has now, or has had before.
- If your pet has had treatment in the past for the same problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your pet is pregnant or nursing, discuss with your veterinarian what risks may come with using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any past medicine problems your pet has had, including allergic reactions, not wanting to eat, loose stool, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
You should usually see your pet start to feel better within 1 to 2 hours after this medicine is given. After that, the signs you are seeing should get better. This medicine does not last long in the body, which means it stops working within 24 hours. However, the helpful effects may last longer if your pet’s kidneys and/or liver are not working well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any special reasons to be careful with this medicine for your pet.
If your pet fits any of the situations listed below, talk with your veterinarian about weighing the possible risks against the possible benefits.
- Use extra care in pets with severe heart failure, asthma, problems where the heart’s electrical signals are blocked, very slow heart rates, or pets that are in shock.
- Do not use in pets that have had an allergic reaction to this medicine before.
- Use extra care in pets that have infections in the stomach or intestines.
- Use extra care in pets with serious liver or kidney problems.
- Use extra care in pets that are very old or very young.
- Use extra care in pets with thyroid problems.
- Use extra care in male pets that have an enlarged prostate.
- Use extra care in pets that have acid reflux or that bring food or fluid back up.
- Use extra care in pets with heart problems.
What are the side effects of this medication?
If you notice any of the signs below, you usually do not need to panic unless the signs are strong, get worse, or do not go away. If that happens, contact your veterinarian.
If you see the signs below, contact your veterinarian right away.
- A faster heart rate or a dry mouth.
- Always make sure your pet can get plenty of fresh, clean water.
- Difficulty passing urine (straining), trouble pooping (constipation), or throwing up.
- Fainting (collapse), weakness, or very low energy.
- These signs are not common and usually mean the dose is too high for your pet.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
Too much glycopyrrolate can be dangerous. If you see an overdose happen, or you think it may have happened, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control service right away for guidance.
How should this medication be given?
For this medicine to work as intended, give it exactly the way your veterinarian instructed. It is also smart to read the prescription label each time so you confirm you are giving it correctly.
- If glycopyrrolate is given by mouth, it may be given with food or without food.
- If your pet throws up or seems sick when it is given on an empty stomach, try giving it with food or a small treat.
- If throwing up continues, contact your veterinarian.
- If your pet is using a specially made liquid version (a compounded liquid), measure each dose with great care.
- Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special spoons or oral syringes to help you measure.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, ask your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas to make dosing easier and to lower stress during medicine time.
- If you are thinking about stopping the medicine before the prescription is finished, contact your veterinarian first.
- There may be an important reason your pet needs to keep taking it until it is used up.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, do not give the missed dose; instead, give the next dose at the normal time. Then continue with the usual schedule. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep glycopyrrolate tablets in the original prescription container, or in another approved container that blocks light and is child-resistant (such as a pill organizer made for medicines).
- Store at normal room temperature.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist prepared a special version for your pet (a compounded product), follow the storage directions and the expiration date written for that product.
- Store this medicine where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
No special handling steps are needed unless you are allergic to this medicine. After you handle any medicine, wash your hands.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet and do not pour it into a sink drain.
- If your area has a medicine take-back program, use that.
- If there is no take-back option:
- combine the medicine with used coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unpleasant to children and animals and not recognizable to someone searching the trash.
- Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag so it will not leak, and then throw the bag into your household trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- In some animal sports or competitions, this medicine may not be allowed.
- Check the rules for your pet’s activity before entering a competition while your pet is receiving this medicine.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”