Breathing problems after Praziquantel in cats

The FDA has received 52 reports of breathing problems in cats after Praziquantel. That is 3.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.7% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

52Reports

58%Marked serious

21%Recovered

25%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

27 59%

1–2 days

8 17%

3–7 days

3 6.5%

1–4 weeks

6 13%

Over a month

2 4.3%

How the animals did

Recovered

11 21%

Still unwell when reported

9 17%

Died

11 21%

Euthanised

2 3.8%

Not known

19 37%

Problems reported at the same time

14 27%

13 25%

12 23%

12 23%

Restlessness or agitation

12 23%

Drooling

11 21%

Vocalising

8 15%

Behaviour change

7 13%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Praziquantel treats tapeworms.

Questions owners ask

Can Praziquantel cause breathing problems in cats?: 52 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 the same day 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).

Breathing problems with similar medicines

Breathing problems after Emodepside + Praziquantel (Profender) 163 reports · 2.8% of its reports
Breathing problems after Praziquantel + Pyrantel 37 reports · 2.9% of its reports
Breathing problems after Pyrantel 34 reports · 6.1% of its reports
Breathing problems after Fenbendazole 24 reports · 8.4% of its reports

All reported side effects of Praziquantel in cats · Medicines most reported with breathing problems