Itching after Fluoxetine in cats

The FDA has received 22 reports of itching in cats after Fluoxetine. That is 9.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.9% across reports for all cat medicines.

22Reports

73%Marked serious

4.5%Recovered

9.1%Died or euthanised

14 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 27%

1–2 days

1 6.7%

3–7 days

1 6.7%

1–4 weeks

4 27%

Over a month

5 33%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 4.5%

Still unwell when reported

16 73%

Euthanised

2 9.1%

Not known

3 14%

Problems reported at the same time

Hair loss

6 27%

Skin rash or irritation

5 23%

Behaviour change

4 18%

Skin scab

4 18%

Lethargy

3 14%

Abrasion

3 14%

Didn't work as expected

3 14%

Excessive chewing, licking and/or grooming

2 9.1%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Fluoxetine treats anxiety and behaviour problems.

Questions owners ask

Can Fluoxetine cause itching in cats?: 22 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 14 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).

Itching with similar medicines

Itching after Gabapentin 194 reports · 9.9% of its reports

All reported side effects of Fluoxetine in cats · Medicines most reported with itching