CONTRIBUTOR(S): Gigi Davidson, Andrea Tarr,
Pet medicines – a danger to pet caregivers?
Pet medicines – a danger to pet caregivers?
Pet medicines can cause adverse effects in humans through direct contact or if consumed accidentally. The drug ingredients in pet medicines are often the same as, or very similar to, the drugs in human medicines, but some pet medicines contain drugs that are not used at all in humans. Sometimes ingredients in the medicine formulation other than the active drugs can cause adverse effects in humans.
The adverse effects of pet medicines in humans can range from minor to serious, depending on the type of medicine and the person who comes into contact with it.
How do people get exposed to pet medications?
People caring for animals can be exposed to pet medicines in many different ways:
- Skin contact, resulting in allergic reactions. Some drugs may be also absorbed from the skin into the body.
- By mouth (eg via contaminated hands) or accidental ingestion.
- Contact with eyes or mucous membranes through transfer from the hands. In addition, when administering ear drops, the animal might shake itself and disperse the product.
- Inhalation (eg the powder from crushed tablets or opened capsules) or vapors from a spray or solution.
- Accidental self-injection when injecting an animal.
Which people are more prone to harm from pet medicines?
The likelihood of harm depends on who is exposed to the medicine.
- Children will be more at risk than adults.
- Pregnant women will be at more risk than others from drugs that have effects that are cytotoxic (kill cells) or affect reproduction.
- People with known allergies will be more at risk than others from handling certain medicines (eg penicillin allergy).
What types of medicines can cause harm?
The potential for a pet medicine to cause harm in a human depends on the drug ingredient. For example, a cytotoxic medicine used to treat cancer in a pet will have a higher potential to cause harm than a deworming tablet. But the likelihood of harm also depends on the form of the medicine and the type of contact. There will be a low risk of harm from handling a tablet, but a much higher risk if the tablet is swallowed. But if a tablet is crushed the risk of harm will be increased compared with handling a whole tablet because of the possibility of inhalation of, or skin contact with, the powder. Some products that are applied to the animal’s body (including parasiticide spot-ons and collars) work because the drug remains on the skin. This means that the medicine ingredients can be transferred to humans through handling. Such products may come with warnings about not stroking the animal until the application area is dry and warnings against sharing a bed with treated animals.
Other ingredients
Other ingredients in the medicine formulation (eg preservatives, solvents) can also cause harm (eg allergic reactions). Many people learn that they are allergic to certain pet medicines only after they have experienced a reaction.
Unlicensed medicines
Increasingly compounded medicines are being used to treat pets. These are also known as extemporaneous or ‘special’ formulations. These are bespoke medicines specially made for individual animals by a compounding pharmacy or specials manufacturer. Because they are unlicensed medicines, their safety has not been assessed by a medicines regulator. They may be in the form of tablets or capsules, oral liquids or pastes, or transdermal gels. In particular transdermal gels applied to the inner ear of a cat are becoming more commonly used because it can be an easier way of administering a drug. But it is important to be aware that if the gel comes into contact with a human’s skin after handling the product or handling the treated area of the pet, the drug contained in the gel may be absorbed into the person’s body and lead to adverse effects.
How do you know what precautions to take?
When a medicine is licensed for marketing, the regulator makes an assessment about the safety of the product to the humans who will handle it, including if a child accidentally ingests the medicine. As a result, the product information of licensed products contains advice designed to prevent such harm. For instance, advice to wear gloves when administering a product, or a warning that pregnant women should avoid contact with the product. This is why it is important to read the information that accompanies a medicine. If you have a known allergy to a particular substance, you can check if the product information for that ingredient. For some medicines, there can be warnings about handling pet feces and urine (including cat litter), which may contain the excreted drug.
Unlicensed medicines (compounded or ‘special’ formulations) have not been assessed for safety in the same way as licensed medicines, so they will not come with a manufacturer’s leaflet containing advice on safe handling.
What should I do if I or a family member is exposed to a pet medicine?
If the medicine has been ingested by a child, call a poison help line immediately. Trained professionals are available to offer advice. If the exposure is to the skin, mucous membranes or eyes, wash with cold water (hot water may increase absorption of the medicine) immediately to remove as much of the medicine as possible.
Report adverse effects to your veterinarian or pharmacist and encourage them to report to the regulator. Veterinary medicines regulatory bodies monitor reports of harm to humans.
Local Poison Control Center phone # : _____________________________________________________
What information will help my physician care for me after exposure to a pet medicine?
Take the medicine container with you to the emergency department or physician’s office. Have the prescribing veterinarian’s name and contact information available for consultation between the physician and the veterinarian.
How will my physician treat me?
Treatment depends on the type and amount of exposure. Skin exposure may be treated with washing with cold water and soap followed by topical treatments for any resultant rashes. Treatment for inhalation, ingestion, or injection of pet medicines will be individualized depending on the medicine and the severity of symptoms.
If medical attention is received immediately, full recovery is likely.
How do I prevent exposure to pet medicines?
- To prevent mix-ups, keep pet medicines in a secure, childproof place and well-separated from human medications.
- Keep all medications in their original containers so that ingredients and the prescribing veterinarian can be identified easily.
- Read the instructions that come with the medicine and follow any recommendations for safe handling. If you have not been given instructions, ask your veterinarian or pharmacist if there are any warnings about safe handling.
- When applying topical medicines to pets, make sure the pet’s fur is dry before allowing children to touch the animal. Refer to the instructions about whether it is safe for a child to share a bed with a treated animal.
- Do not allow children to administer pet medicines. Keep children out of the room while administering pet medicines. Make sure the pet has swallowed the tablet and that it is not spit out where a child can find it.
- Do not administer pet medicines at the same time you are taking your own medication.
- Always wash your hands after administering your pet’s medication.
- Ensure that any other family members or pet carers who share medication administration are aware of the precautions.
- Dispose of remaining medicines responsibly (ideally return to the veterinary practice or pharmacy for disposal).