Weight loss after Dexamethasone in cats

The FDA has received 76 reports of weight loss in cats after Dexamethasone. That is 9.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.6% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

76Reports

75%Marked serious

12%Recovered

29%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

18 26%

1–2 days

13 19%

3–7 days

9 13%

1–4 weeks

14 20%

Over a month

15 22%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 11%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.3%

Still unwell when reported

30 39%

Died

10 13%

Euthanised

12 16%

Not known

15 20%

Problems reported at the same time

46 61%

45 59%

25 33%

23 30%

22 29%

21 28%

20 26%

16 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 weight loss in cats?: 76 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 4 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).

Weight loss with similar medicines

Weight loss after Prednisolone 137 reports · 11% of its reports
Weight loss after Prednisone 113 reports · 13% of its reports
Weight loss after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 57 reports · 7.1% of its reports

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