Lethargy after Dexamethasone in cats

258 reports to the FDA describe lethargy in cats given Dexamethasone. That is 34% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

258Reports

70%Marked serious

22%Recovered

34%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

91 37%

1–2 days

57 23%

3–7 days

33 13%

1–4 weeks

46 19%

Over a month

18 7.3%

How the animals did

Recovered

55 21%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.4%

Still unwell when reported

90 35%

Died

41 16%

Euthanised

47 18%

Not known

24 9.3%

Problems reported at the same time

159 62%

88 34%

87 34%

62 24%

54 21%

50 19%

47 18%

47 18%

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 lethargy in cats?: 258 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).

Lethargy with similar medicines

Lethargy after Prednisolone 237 reports · 19% of its reports
Lethargy after Prednisone 162 reports · 18% of its reports
Lethargy after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 201 reports · 25% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexamethasone in cats · Medicines most reported with lethargy