Death after Methylprednisolone in cats

325 reports to the FDA describe death in cats given Methylprednisolone. That is 20% 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.

325Reports
67%Marked serious
0.0%Recovered
99%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
54 26%
1–2 days
50 24%
3–7 days
47 23%
1–4 weeks
25 12%
Over a month
30 15%

How the animals did

Still unwell when reported
1 0.3%
Died
211 65%
Euthanised
110 34%
Not known
3 0.9%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
7
1–3 years
40
4–7 years
92
8–11 years
94
12+ years
78

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Methylprednisolone cause death in cats?
325 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 2 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).

Death with similar medicines

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