Eye or vision problems after Dexamethasone in cats

23 reports to the FDA describe eye or vision problems in cats given Dexamethasone. That is 3.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.3% across reports for all cat medicines.

23Reports

91%Marked serious

17%Recovered

30%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

8 40%

1–2 days

7 35%

3–7 days

1 5.0%

1–4 weeks

3 15%

Over a month

1 5.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

3 13%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 4.3%

Still unwell when reported

7 30%

Died

4 17%

Euthanised

3 13%

Not known

5 22%

Problems reported at the same time

9 39%

8 35%

7 30%

5 22%

Abnormal menace reflex test

5 22%

Weakness

4 17%

Itching

4 17%

Lethargy

4 17%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Dexamethasone reduces inflammation and immune activity.

Steroids commonly cause increased thirst, urination and appetite, especially at higher doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Dexamethasone cause eye or vision problems in cats?: 23 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).

Eye or vision problems with similar medicines

Eye or vision problems after Prednisolone 31 reports · 2.5% of its reports
Eye or vision problems after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 23 reports · 2.9% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexamethasone in cats · Medicines most reported with eye or vision problems