Lymphopenia after Meloxicam (Metacam) in cats

The FDA has received 42 reports of lymphopenia in cats after Meloxicam. That is 1.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.4% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

42Reports

60%Marked serious

21%Recovered

29%Died or euthanised

5 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 20%

1–2 days

6 24%

3–7 days

6 24%

1–4 weeks

8 32%

Over a month

0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 19%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 2.4%

Still unwell when reported

5 12%

Died

4 9.5%

Euthanised

8 19%

Not known

16 38%

Problems reported at the same time

32 76%

27 64%

24 57%

21 50%

18 43%

15 36%

15 36%

14 33%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Meloxicam relieves pain and inflammation.

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

NSAIDs can affect the stomach, liver and kidneys. Vets usually recommend blood tests before and during long-term use.

Questions owners ask

Can Meloxicam cause lymphopenia in cats?: 42 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 5 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).

Lymphopenia with similar medicines

Lymphopenia after Robenacoxib (Onsior) 58 reports · 1.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Meloxicam in cats · Medicines most reported with lymphopenia