Muscle wasting after Bexagliflozin (Bexacat) in cats

The FDA has received 36 reports of muscle wasting in cats after Bexagliflozin. That is 0.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

36Reports
50%Marked serious
2.8%Recovered
5.6%Died or euthanised
22 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
3 11%
1–2 days
4 14%
3–7 days
3 11%
1–4 weeks
7 25%
Over a month
11 39%

How the animals did

Recovered
1 2.8%
Still unwell when reported
17 47%
Euthanised
2 5.6%
Not known
16 44%

Problems reported at the same time

Weight loss
24 67%
Hyperglycaemia
17 47%
Kidney problems
17 47%
Ketosis
16 44%
Glucosuria
16 44%
Loss of appetite
15 42%
Lethargy
11 31%
Dehydration
11 31%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
0
4–7 years
5
8–11 years
12
12+ years
19

About this medicine

Bexagliflozin treats diabetes in cats (oral, an SGLT2 inhibitor).

Products with this ingredient include Bexacat. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Bexagliflozin cause muscle wasting in cats?
36 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 22 days 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).

Muscle wasting with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Bexagliflozin in cats · Medicines most reported with muscle wasting