Death after Methadone in cats

The FDA has received 22 reports of death in cats after Methadone. That is 22% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.9% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

22Reports
100%Marked serious
0.0%Recovered
100%Died or euthanised
Same dayTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
14 67%
1–2 days
5 24%
3–7 days
0 0.0%
1–4 weeks
1 4.8%
Over a month
1 4.8%

How the animals did

Died
17 77%
Euthanised
5 23%

Problems reported at the same time

Cardiac arrest
9 41%
Hyperglycaemia
6 27%
Fever
6 27%
Kidney problems
5 23%
Lethargy
4 18%
Vomiting
4 18%
Hypotension
4 18%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
4
1–3 years
3
4–7 years
2
8–11 years
7
12+ years
6

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Methadone cause death in cats?
22 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).

Death with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Methadone in cats · Medicines most reported with death