Weakness after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in cats

24 reports to the FDA describe weakness in cats given Dexmedetomidine. That is 0.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.2% across reports for all cat medicines.

24Reports

75%Marked serious

17%Recovered

50%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

10 48%

1–2 days

3 14%

3–7 days

2 9.5%

1–4 weeks

3 14%

Over a month

3 14%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 17%

Still unwell when reported

6 25%

Died

5 21%

Euthanised

7 29%

Not known

2 8.3%

Problems reported at the same time

13 54%

12 50%

8 33%

6 25%

6 25%

6 25%

Abnormal radiograph finding

5 21%

Tachycardia

5 21%

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 weakness in cats?: 24 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).

Weakness with similar medicines

Weakness after Buprenorphine 87 reports · 1.6% of its reports

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