Kidney problems after Alfaxalone in cats

The FDA has received 35 reports of kidney problems in cats after Alfaxalone. That is 7.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.5% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

35Reports
89%Marked serious
8.6%Recovered
37%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
11 34%
1–2 days
13 41%
3–7 days
4 13%
1–4 weeks
2 6.3%
Over a month
2 6.3%

How the animals did

Recovered
3 8.6%
Still unwell when reported
14 40%
Died
2 5.7%
Euthanised
11 31%
Not known
5 14%

Problems reported at the same time

Hyperphosphataemia
15 43%
14 40%
13 37%
Hypokalaemia
10 29%
Liver problems
9 26%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
0
4–7 years
13
8–11 years
16
12+ years
6

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Alfaxalone cause kidney problems in cats?
35 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?
In half of the reports with dates, it started within 1 day of the first dose.
What should I do?
Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Alfaxalone in cats · Medicines most reported with kidney problems