Loss of appetite after Dexamethasone in cats

252 reports to the FDA describe loss of appetite in cats given Dexamethasone. That is 33% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

252Reports

72%Marked serious

21%Recovered

35%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

77 33%

1–2 days

59 26%

3–7 days

27 12%

1–4 weeks

47 20%

Over a month

21 9.1%

How the animals did

Recovered

52 21%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.4%

Still unwell when reported

84 33%

Died

38 15%

Euthanised

49 19%

Not known

28 11%

Problems reported at the same time

159 63%

87 35%

76 30%

61 24%

57 23%

53 21%

49 19%

49 19%

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 loss of appetite in cats?: 252 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 Prednisolone 317 reports · 26% of its reports
Loss of appetite after Prednisone 206 reports · 23% of its reports
Loss of appetite after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 224 reports · 28% of its reports

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