Loss of appetite after Fluoxetine in cats

The FDA has received 48 reports of loss of appetite in cats after Fluoxetine. That is 20% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines.

48Reports

50%Marked serious

10%Recovered

19%Died or euthanised

21 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

7 26%

1–2 days

1 3.7%

3–7 days

3 11%

1–4 weeks

5 19%

Over a month

11 41%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 8.3%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 2.1%

Still unwell when reported

20 42%

Died

3 6.3%

Euthanised

6 13%

Not known

14 29%

Problems reported at the same time

Lethargy

23 48%

Vomiting

15 31%

Kidney problems

11 23%

Diarrhea

10 21%

Death

9 19%

Liver problems

8 17%

Weight loss

8 17%

Dehydration

8 17%

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 loss of appetite in cats?: 48 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 21 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).

Loss of appetite with similar medicines

Loss of appetite after Gabapentin 491 reports · 25% of its reports
Loss of appetite after Clomipramine (Clomicalm) 24 reports · 20% of its reports

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