Restlessness or agitation after Dexamethasone in cats

28 reports to the FDA describe restlessness or agitation in cats given Dexamethasone. That is 3.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.9% across reports for all cat medicines.

28Reports

68%Marked serious

32%Recovered

29%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

11 44%

1–2 days

7 28%

3–7 days

2 8.0%

1–4 weeks

4 16%

Over a month

1 4.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

9 32%

Still unwell when reported

7 25%

Died

4 14%

Euthanised

4 14%

Not known

4 14%

Problems reported at the same time

13 46%

10 36%

10 36%

9 32%

9 32%

8 29%

7 25%

6 21%

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 restlessness or agitation in cats?: 28 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).

Restlessness or agitation with similar medicines

Restlessness or agitation after Prednisolone 32 reports · 2.6% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Prednisone 21 reports · 2.4% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexamethasone in cats · Medicines most reported with restlessness or agitation