Apnoea after Atipamezole in cats

The FDA has received 30 reports of apnoea in cats after Atipamezole. That is 2.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.5% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

30Reports
30%Marked serious
3.3%Recovered
67%Died or euthanised
–Typical onset
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How the animals did

Recovered
1 3.3%
Still unwell when reported
2 6.7%
Died
20 67%
Not known
7 23%

Problems reported at the same time

20 67%
Recumbency
4 13%
Collapse
3 10%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
10
1–3 years
5
4–7 years
4
8–11 years
4
12+ years
2

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Atipamezole cause apnoea in cats?
30 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.
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).

Apnoea with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Atipamezole in cats · Medicines most reported with apnoea