Weakness after Dexamethasone in cats

45 reports to the FDA describe weakness in cats given Dexamethasone. That is 5.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.2% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

45Reports

87%Marked serious

11%Recovered

40%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

18 46%

1–2 days

8 21%

3–7 days

2 5.1%

1–4 weeks

8 21%

Over a month

3 7.7%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 8.9%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 2.2%

Still unwell when reported

13 29%

Died

7 16%

Euthanised

11 24%

Not known

9 20%

Problems reported at the same time

27 60%

21 47%

18 40%

13 29%

13 29%

12 27%

10 22%

9 20%

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 weakness in cats?: 45 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).

Weakness with similar medicines

Weakness after Prednisolone 50 reports · 4.1% of its reports
Weakness after Prednisone 36 reports · 4.0% of its reports

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