Tachycardia after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in cats

71 reports to the FDA describe tachycardia in cats given Dexmedetomidine. That is 2.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.7% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

71Reports

45%Marked serious

23%Recovered

25%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

47 78%

1–2 days

7 12%

3–7 days

2 3.3%

1–4 weeks

4 6.7%

Over a month

0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

16 23%

Still unwell when reported

28 39%

Died

9 13%

Euthanised

9 13%

Not known

9 13%

Problems reported at the same time

18 25%

18 25%

13 18%

11 15%

Restlessness or agitation

11 15%

Abnormal radiograph finding

10 14%

Loss of appetite

9 13%

Dilated pupils

9 13%

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 tachycardia in cats?: 71 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 the same 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).

Tachycardia with similar medicines

Tachycardia after Buprenorphine 119 reports · 2.1% of its reports

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