Loss of appetite after Buprenorphine in cats

1,425 reports to the FDA describe loss of appetite in cats given Buprenorphine. That is 25% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

1,425Reports

45%Marked serious

25%Recovered

17%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

552 43%

1–2 days

423 33%

3–7 days

136 10%

1–4 weeks

119 9.2%

Over a month

67 5.2%

How the animals did

Recovered

355 25%

Recovered with lasting effects

4 0.3%

Still unwell when reported

525 37%

Died

114 8.0%

Euthanised

134 9.4%

Not known

293 21%

Problems reported at the same time

455 32%

325 23%

274 19%

273 19%

244 17%

221 16%

Restlessness or agitation

218 15%

Kidney problems

186 13%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

102

1–3 years

160

4–7 years

286

8–11 years

332

12+ years

431

About this medicine

Buprenorphine pain relief (an opioid).

Questions owners ask

Can Buprenorphine cause loss of appetite in cats?: 1,425 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).

Loss of appetite with similar medicines

Loss of appetite after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) 364 reports · 14% of its reports
Loss of appetite after Butorphanol + Dexmedetomidine + Ketamine 29 reports · 23% of its reports

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