Elevated symmetrical dimethylarginine (sdma) after Methimazole in cats

44 reports to the FDA describe elevated symmetrical dimethylarginine (sdma) in cats given Methimazole. That is 2.5% 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.

44Reports
57%Marked serious
0.0%Recovered
14%Died or euthanised
31 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
0 0.0%
1–2 days
1 3.1%
3–7 days
1 3.1%
1–4 weeks
14 44%
Over a month
16 50%

How the animals did

Still unwell when reported
13 30%
Died
2 4.5%
Euthanised
4 9.1%
Not known
25 57%

Problems reported at the same time

Kidney problems
26 59%
Loss of appetite
20 45%
Weight loss
16 36%
Lethargy
15 34%
Liver problems
11 25%
Vomiting
10 23%
Didn't work as expected
8 18%
Hypokalaemia
8 18%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
0
4–7 years
0
8–11 years
4
12+ years
39

About this medicine

Methimazole treats an overactive thyroid in cats.

Questions owners ask

Can Methimazole cause elevated symmetrical dimethylarginine (sdma) in cats?
44 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 31 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).

Elevated symmetrical dimethylarginine (sdma) with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Methimazole in cats · Medicines most reported with elevated symmetrical dimethylarginine (sdma)