Neutrophilia after Dexamethasone in cats

The FDA has received 40 reports of neutrophilia in cats after Dexamethasone. That is 5.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.7% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

40Reports

78%Marked serious

13%Recovered

35%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

14 40%

1–2 days

5 14%

3–7 days

8 23%

1–4 weeks

5 14%

Over a month

3 8.6%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 10%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 2.5%

Still unwell when reported

16 40%

Died

5 13%

Euthanised

9 23%

Not known

5 13%

Problems reported at the same time

21 53%

20 50%

18 45%

17 43%

16 40%

14 35%

14 35%

13 33%

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 neutrophilia in cats?: 40 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 2 days 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).

Neutrophilia with similar medicines

Neutrophilia after Prednisolone 41 reports · 3.3% of its reports
Neutrophilia after Prednisone 26 reports · 2.9% of its reports
Neutrophilia after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 22 reports · 2.7% of its reports

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