Loss of appetite after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in cats

364 reports to the FDA describe loss of appetite in cats given Dexmedetomidine. That is 14% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines.

364Reports

50%Marked serious

25%Recovered

16%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

127 41%

1–2 days

100 32%

3–7 days

38 12%

1–4 weeks

33 11%

Over a month

15 4.8%

How the animals did

Recovered

88 24%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 0.5%

Still unwell when reported

141 39%

Died

34 9.3%

Euthanised

25 6.9%

Not known

74 20%

Problems reported at the same time

144 40%

63 17%

59 16%

56 15%

47 13%

46 13%

44 12%

43 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 loss of appetite in cats?: 364 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).

Loss of appetite with similar medicines

Loss of appetite after Buprenorphine 1,425 reports · 25% of its reports
Loss of appetite after Butorphanol + Dexmedetomidine + Ketamine 29 reports · 23% of its reports

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