Abnormal ultrasound finding after Maropitant (Cerenia) in cats

The FDA has received 127 reports of abnormal ultrasound finding in cats after Maropitant. That is 3.3% 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.

127Reports

80%Marked serious

13%Recovered

31%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

31 30%

1–2 days

17 16%

3–7 days

21 20%

1–4 weeks

12 11%

Over a month

24 23%

How the animals did

Recovered

16 13%

Still unwell when reported

47 37%

Died

8 6.3%

Euthanised

32 25%

Not known

24 19%

Problems reported at the same time

74 58%

55 43%

54 43%

50 39%

42 33%

40 31%

40 31%

29 23%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Maropitant prevents vomiting and motion sickness.

Products with this ingredient include Cerenia. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Maropitant cause abnormal ultrasound finding in cats?: 127 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).

Abnormal ultrasound finding with similar medicines

Abnormal ultrasound finding after Mirtazapine (Mirataz) 45 reports · 2.4% of its reports

All reported side effects of Maropitant in cats · Medicines most reported with abnormal ultrasound finding