Kidney problems after Lactulose in cats

28 reports to the FDA describe kidney problems in cats given Lactulose. That is 14% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.5% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

28Reports
79%Marked serious
0.0%Recovered
43%Died or euthanised
15 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
5 20%
1–2 days
4 16%
3–7 days
1 4.0%
1–4 weeks
6 24%
Over a month
9 36%

How the animals did

Still unwell when reported
9 32%
Died
4 14%
Euthanised
8 29%
Not known
7 25%

Problems reported at the same time

12 43%
Elevated symmetrical dimethylarginine (sdma)
5 18%
Dehydration
4 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
1
4–7 years
4
8–11 years
3
12+ years
20

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Lactulose cause kidney problems in cats?
28 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 15 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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Lactulose in cats · Medicines most reported with kidney problems