Hyperexcitation after Butorphanol in cats

The FDA has received 31 reports of hyperexcitation in cats after Butorphanol. That is 1.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

31Reports

23%Marked serious

19%Recovered

6.5%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

12 92%

1–2 days

0 0.0%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

1 7.7%

Over a month

0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

6 19%

Still unwell when reported

8 26%

Died

2 6.5%

Not known

15 48%

Problems reported at the same time

Restlessness or agitation

7 23%

Fever

6 19%

Vocalising

4 13%

Eye or vision problems

4 13%

Loss of appetite

4 13%

Behaviour change

3 9.7%

Breathing problems

3 9.7%

Paddling

2 6.5%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Butorphanol cause hyperexcitation in cats?: 31 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).

Hyperexcitation with similar medicines

Hyperexcitation after Ketamine 66 reports · 2.0% of its reports
Hyperexcitation after Tiletamine + Zolazepam 35 reports · 2.1% of its reports
Hyperexcitation after Propofol 27 reports · 2.3% of its reports

All reported side effects of Butorphanol in cats · Medicines most reported with hyperexcitation