Weight loss after Ondansetron in cats

The FDA has received 30 reports of weight loss in cats after Ondansetron. That is 14% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.6% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

30Reports
77%Marked serious
10%Recovered
17%Died or euthanised
3 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
7 27%
1–2 days
4 15%
3–7 days
4 15%
1–4 weeks
2 7.7%
Over a month
9 35%

How the animals did

Recovered
3 10%
Still unwell when reported
14 47%
Died
1 3.3%
Euthanised
4 13%
Not known
8 27%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
3
1–3 years
4
4–7 years
5
8–11 years
7
12+ years
11

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Ondansetron cause weight loss in cats?
30 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 3 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).

Weight loss with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Ondansetron in cats · Medicines most reported with weight loss