Lethargy after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in cats

242 reports to the FDA describe lethargy in cats given Dexmedetomidine. That is 9.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

242Reports

53%Marked serious

18%Recovered

27%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

80 41%

1–2 days

62 31%

3–7 days

25 13%

1–4 weeks

18 9.1%

Over a month

12 6.1%

How the animals did

Recovered

44 18%

Still unwell when reported

86 36%

Died

43 18%

Euthanised

23 9.5%

Not known

46 19%

Problems reported at the same time

144 60%

66 27%

57 24%

42 17%

39 16%

37 15%

36 15%

30 12%

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 lethargy in cats?: 242 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).

Lethargy with similar medicines

Lethargy after Buprenorphine 762 reports · 14% of its reports

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