Hyperphosphataemia after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in cats

The FDA has received 37 reports of hyperphosphataemia in cats after Dexmedetomidine. That is 1.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.0% across reports for all cat medicines.

37Reports

73%Marked serious

11%Recovered

38%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

7 23%

1–2 days

13 43%

3–7 days

7 23%

1–4 weeks

2 6.7%

Over a month

1 3.3%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 11%

Still unwell when reported

10 27%

Died

6 16%

Euthanised

8 22%

Not known

9 24%

Problems reported at the same time

34 92%

19 51%

19 51%

14 38%

13 35%

11 30%

9 24%

Hyperkalaemia

8 22%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Dexmedetomidine sedation and pain relief (also an oral gel for noise anxiety).

Products with this ingredient include Dexdomitor, Sileo. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Dexmedetomidine cause hyperphosphataemia in cats?: 37 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).

Hyperphosphataemia with similar medicines

Hyperphosphataemia after Buprenorphine 80 reports · 1.4% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexmedetomidine in cats · Medicines most reported with hyperphosphataemia