Restlessness or agitation after Diazepam in cats

The FDA has received 35 reports of restlessness or agitation in cats after Diazepam. That is 13% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.9% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

35Reports

40%Marked serious

20%Recovered

8.6%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

21 60%

1–2 days

12 34%

3–7 days

1 2.9%

1–4 weeks

1 2.9%

Over a month

0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

6 17%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 2.9%

Still unwell when reported

15 43%

Died

1 2.9%

Euthanised

2 5.7%

Not known

10 29%

Problems reported at the same time

Behaviour change

11 31%

Eye or vision problems

8 23%

Not sleeping

8 23%

Loss of appetite

7 20%

Dilated pupils

7 20%

Fever

6 17%

Tremors

6 17%

Vocalising

6 17%

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 Diazepam cause restlessness or agitation in cats?: 35 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).

Restlessness or agitation with similar medicines

Restlessness or agitation after Ketamine 229 reports · 7.1% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Butorphanol 187 reports · 8.3% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Isoflurane 216 reports · 11% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Tiletamine + Zolazepam 57 reports · 3.4% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Methylprednisolone 45 reports · 2.8% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Propofol 125 reports · 11% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Atipamezole 94 reports · 9.1% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Midazolam 108 reports · 14% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Acepromazine 42 reports · 7.1% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Alfaxalone 36 reports · 7.6% of its reports

All reported side effects of Diazepam in cats · Medicines most reported with restlessness or agitation