Intentional misuse after Methimazole in cats

22 reports to the FDA describe intentional misuse in cats given Methimazole. That is 1.2% 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.

22Reports

68%Marked serious

4.5%Recovered

23%Died or euthanised

82 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 22%

1–2 days

1 5.6%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

1 5.6%

Over a month

12 67%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 4.5%

Still unwell when reported

15 68%

Died

3 14%

Euthanised

2 9.1%

Not known

1 4.5%

Problems reported at the same time

Loss of appetite

7 32%

Lethargy

5 23%

Inappropriate urination

5 23%

4 18%

4 18%

4 18%

3 14%

Decreased urine concentration

3 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Methimazole treats an overactive thyroid in cats.

Questions owners ask

Can Methimazole cause intentional misuse 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 82 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).

All reported side effects of Methimazole in cats · Medicines most reported with intentional misuse