Constipation after Buprenorphine in cats

137 reports to the FDA describe constipation in cats given Buprenorphine. That is 2.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

137Reports

46%Marked serious

23%Recovered

18%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

41 34%

1–2 days

49 40%

3–7 days

9 7.4%

1–4 weeks

15 12%

Over a month

8 6.6%

How the animals did

Recovered

32 23%

Still unwell when reported

58 42%

Died

7 5.1%

Euthanised

18 13%

Not known

22 16%

Problems reported at the same time

Loss of appetite

78 57%

Behaviour change

35 26%

Lethargy

34 25%

Restlessness or agitation

34 25%

27 20%

24 18%

23 17%

22 16%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Buprenorphine pain relief (an opioid).

Questions owners ask

Can Buprenorphine cause constipation in cats?: 137 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).

Constipation with similar medicines

Constipation after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) 28 reports · 1.1% of its reports

All reported side effects of Buprenorphine in cats · Medicines most reported with constipation