Hypokalaemia after Dextrose in cats

23 reports to the FDA describe hypokalaemia in cats given Dextrose. That is 28% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.5% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

23Reports

100%Marked serious

8.7%Recovered

30%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 19%

1–2 days

5 24%

3–7 days

8 38%

1–4 weeks

1 4.8%

Over a month

3 14%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 8.7%

Still unwell when reported

12 52%

Died

1 4.3%

Euthanised

6 26%

Not known

2 8.7%

Problems reported at the same time

16 70%

16 70%

14 61%

14 61%

13 57%

Diabetic ketoacidosis

12 52%

Hyperglycaemia

11 48%

Weight loss

11 48%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Dextrose cause hypokalaemia in cats?: 23 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 3 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).

Hypokalaemia with similar medicines

Hypokalaemia after Methylprednisolone 20 reports · 1.2% of its reports
Hypokalaemia after Ampicillin 25 reports · 8.3% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dextrose in cats · Medicines most reported with hypokalaemia