Death after Prednisolone in cats

187 reports to the FDA describe death in cats given Prednisolone. That is 15% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.9% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

187Reports

95%Marked serious

0.0%Recovered

100%Died or euthanised

8 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

25 17%

1–2 days

24 16%

3–7 days

19 13%

1–4 weeks

37 25%

Over a month

41 28%

How the animals did

Died

74 40%

Euthanised

113 60%

Problems reported at the same time

83 44%

68 36%

41 22%

40 21%

38 20%

32 17%

32 17%

29 16%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Prednisolone reduces inflammation and immune activity.

Steroids commonly cause increased thirst, urination and appetite, especially at higher doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Prednisolone cause death in cats?: 187 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 8 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).

Death with similar medicines

Death after Prednisone 118 reports · 13% of its reports
Death after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 80 reports · 10.0% of its reports
Death after Dexamethasone 223 reports · 29% of its reports

All reported side effects of Prednisolone in cats · Medicines most reported with death