Wobbliness (ataxia) after Atipamezole in cats

The FDA has received 63 reports of wobbliness (ataxia) in cats after Atipamezole. That is 6.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.7% across reports for all cat medicines.

63Reports
32%Marked serious
21%Recovered
3.2%Died or euthanised
Same dayTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
22 61%
1–2 days
9 25%
3–7 days
2 5.6%
1–4 weeks
1 2.8%
Over a month
2 5.6%

How the animals did

Recovered
13 21%
Still unwell when reported
23 37%
Died
2 3.2%
Not known
25 40%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
18
1–3 years
4
4–7 years
14
8–11 years
19
12+ years
5

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Atipamezole cause wobbliness (ataxia) in cats?
63 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 the same 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).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Atipamezole in cats · Medicines most reported with wobbliness (ataxia)