Lethargy after Medetomidine in cats

The FDA has received 46 reports of lethargy in cats after Medetomidine. That is 9.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines.

46Reports
15%Marked serious
8.7%Recovered
30%Died or euthanised
Same dayTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
6 55%
1–2 days
4 36%
3–7 days
1 9.1%
1–4 weeks
0 0.0%
Over a month
0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered
4 8.7%
Still unwell when reported
1 2.2%
Died
13 28%
Euthanised
1 2.2%
Not known
27 59%

Problems reported at the same time

14 30%
11 24%
8 17%
Dehydration
6 13%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
16
1–3 years
11
4–7 years
10
8–11 years
5
12+ years
0

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Medetomidine cause lethargy in cats?
46 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).

Lethargy with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Medetomidine in cats · Medicines most reported with lethargy