Loss of appetite after Phenobarbital in cats

23 reports to the FDA describe loss of appetite in cats given Phenobarbital. That is 18% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines.

23Reports
74%Marked serious
22%Recovered
30%Died or euthanised
6 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
5 28%
1–2 days
3 17%
3–7 days
2 11%
1–4 weeks
3 17%
Over a month
5 28%

How the animals did

Recovered
4 17%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 4.3%
Still unwell when reported
7 30%
Died
2 8.7%
Euthanised
5 22%
Not known
4 17%

Problems reported at the same time

10 43%
Lethargy
9 39%
7 30%
Drooling
4 17%
Wobbliness (ataxia)
4 17%
Not drinking
3 13%
Vocalising
3 13%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
3
4–7 years
4
8–11 years
5
12+ years
11

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Phenobarbital cause loss of appetite in cats?
23 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 6 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).

Loss of appetite with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Phenobarbital in cats · Medicines most reported with loss of appetite