Are there any potential side effects?
Trilostane is a short-acting medication that typically stops working within 24 hours and is generally well-tolerated; however, side effects can include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite during the first few days of therapy. Reducing the dose and slowly increasing to the recommended schedule may reduce the side effects. Speak to your veterinarian if your pet experiences these sings. These side effects are usually mild and resolve on their own.
Hypoadrenocorticism can occur and is usually reversible once the medication is discontinued, but in very rare cases, adrenal gland damage and death can occur in dogs.
In cats, side effects include lethargy, anorexia, and dulled mental activity.
A life-threatening condition, called an Addisonian crisis, can occur while using this medication. Your pet should be monitored closely for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, shaking, increased drinking or urination, weakness, or collapse.
What are the side effects of Trilostane?
Since Trilostane is a short acting drug, most treated dogs tolerate it fairly well. It is also considered to be fairly safe when the veterinarian’s directions are followed closely. The most common side effect of using Trilostane for dogs is nausea. You can usually avoid this issue by giving the Trilostane with food. The other common side effects include:
Typically, dogs only experience these more minor side effects during the first day or two of starting the medication. However, if they persist or worsen, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
Some dogs can be allergic to Trilostane. Signs of an allergic reaction include swelling of the face, difficulty breathing, or itching. If this happens, please call your veterinarian immediately and do not give any more Trilostane.
The most concerning potential side effect is called an Addisonian crisis (hypoadrenocortism). Essentially, Addison’s disease in dogs is the opposite of Cushing’s disease—low circulating levels of cortisol and other hormones produced by the adrenal glands. In rare cases, an Addisonian crisis may occur if Trilostane decreases the adrenal gland hormone production too much. This can lead to destruction or rupture of the adrenal gland.
This damage could cause your dog to go into shock, which can be life threatening. Signs of an Addisonian crisis include any of the signs mentioned above plus:
If you have any reason to suspect that your dog is experiencing an Addisonian crisis, please call your veterinarian immediately or head to the nearest emergency hospital for an emergency vet visit.
While I mentioned earlier that Trilostane is generally considered to be safe, there are a few situations where it should be avoided. First, Trilostane should not be used in dogs who are pregnant or nursing. Since Trilostane affects hormones, this could cause miscarriages or serious side effects in puppies.
Also, Trilostane should be used with caution in dogs who have liver disease in dogs or liver failure. This is because the liver is responsible for metabolizing Trilostane. Finally, dogs who are allergic to Trilostane should not take it either.
Additionally, there are a few drugs that your dog should not take at the same time as Trilostane. The drugs listed below can interact with Trilostane and cause serious side effects.
If your dog has been on any of these medications before or is currently on them, please let your veterinarian know prior to starting Trilostane. It is important to tell your veterinarian about any other drugs, vitamins, or supplements that you are giving your dog to avoid possible interactions any time your dog is starting a new medication.
What is trilostane?
Trilostane (brand names: Vetoryl®, Desopan®, Modrastane®, or Modrenal®) is used for the treatment of hyperadrenocorticism in dogs (Cushing’s disease) and cats and Alopecia X in dogs.
Trilostane is given orally (by mouth) in the form of capsules. It should be given with food, and preferably in the morning if once daily dosing. This medication should take effect within 1 to 2 days.
Wash hands after administering the medication. If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, do not handle this medication. Do not empty the capsule and do not divide the capsules.
Pre and Post Vetoryl treatment
Trilostane for dogs can be a useful medication for Cushing’s disease treatment and has the potential to greatly improve a dog’s quality of life. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains what Trilostane is, how it works, and what you need to know when giving it to your dog.
Recently, I met Zoey, an 8-year-old, female spayed Standard Poodle. Her owner had just moved to town and made an appointment with me to get established as Zoey’s new vet.
In the exam room, there were a few things I immediately noted about my patient. Zoey had a pot-belly, was mildly overweight, and she didn’t have the typical beautiful, curly Poodle hair. Instead, some patches of her coat looked thin and rough.
Zoey’s mom told me that their previous veterinarian had diagnosed her dog with Cushing’s disease about six months prior. At that time, she’d opted to monitor her beloved dog instead of pursuing treatment. However, now Zoey’s mom was wondering if she’d made the right decision. Her dear dog was not as “glamorous” as she was even a few months ago, and she was spending a lot of time at her water bowl.
My client’s stress was evident as she talked through Zoey’s history with me. However, the worry turned to relief when I assured her that it wasn’t too late to consider treatment for her dog. Then I went on to explain that I would recommend starting Zoey on a medication called Trilostane to help manage her Cushing’s.
I have seen amazing improvement in my Cushingoid dog patients once I started them on Trilostane. Let’s take a closer look at this drug.
Veterinarians most commonly use the medication Trilostane to treat Cushing’s disease in dogs (and more rarely, cats too). It is available as generic Trilostane or under the brand name Vetoryl® and it is approved by the FDA.
Let’s take a step back and talk about Cushing’s disease (also known as hyperadrenocorticism). Dogs with this condition have excess amounts of cortisol (a stress hormone) circulating in their bodies. This occurs for three main reasons:
Dogs with Cushing’s disease often show increased thirst in dogs and increased urination. They may also have a poor haircoat, pot-bellied appearance, and pant excessively.