Liver problems after Metronidazole in cats

The FDA has received 27 reports of liver problems in cats after Metronidazole. That is 6.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.8% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

27Reports

78%Marked serious

0.0%Recovered

41%Died or euthanised

12 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 17%

1–2 days

3 13%

3–7 days

4 17%

1–4 weeks

6 26%

Over a month

6 26%

How the animals did

Still unwell when reported

13 48%

Died

2 7.4%

Euthanised

9 33%

Not known

3 11%

Problems reported at the same time

12 44%

11 41%

11 41%

10 37%

9 33%

7 26%

6 22%

6 22%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Metronidazole treats some bacterial and parasitic gut infections.

Questions owners ask

Can Metronidazole cause liver problems in cats?: 27 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 12 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).

Liver problems with similar medicines

Liver problems after Cefovecin (Convenia) 621 reports · 7.2% of its reports
Liver problems after Amoxicillin + Clavulanate (Clavamox) 152 reports · 6.4% of its reports
Liver problems after Enrofloxacin (Baytril) 95 reports · 6.0% of its reports
Liver problems after Amoxicillin 31 reports · 6.0% of its reports
Liver problems after Doxycycline 40 reports · 15% of its reports

All reported side effects of Metronidazole in cats · Medicines most reported with liver problems