Lameness after Praziquantel in cats

The FDA has received 20 reports of lameness in cats after Praziquantel. That is 1.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

20Reports

30%Marked serious

10%Recovered

0.0%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 31%

1–2 days

3 23%

3–7 days

5 38%

1–4 weeks

1 7.7%

Over a month

0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 10%

Still unwell when reported

3 15%

Not known

15 75%

Problems reported at the same time

Injection site reaction

3 15%

Musculoskeletal disorder

2 10%

Hind limb paralysis

2 10%

Loss of appetite

2 10%

Muscle pain

2 10%

Hiding

2 10%

Locomotor disturbance

1 5.0%

Peripheral nervous system disorder

1 5.0%

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 lameness in cats?: 20 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).

Lameness with similar medicines

Lameness after Emodepside + Praziquantel (Profender) 24 reports · 0.4% of its reports

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